How to choose the right paving for your garden. When planning your new patio there are many things you need to take into consideration when choosing the paving slabs for your project. Do you have a specific style of paving in mind? Are you looking for a flat, smooth or riven design? Do you have a colour preference? You need to make sure that the style and colour you choose will compliment your home and is in keeping with the style of your home. Paving slabs come in a variety of sizes. You can choose a uniform look having all pavers the same size, often chosen in a modern garden design. Or a mixed size pack which is often called a “patio pack” and has a selection of different sizes. These packs give you the flexibility to create a random pattern unique to your space. A popular trend this year is for large or oversize pavers in limestone, sandstone or porcelain in light, neutral colours. They create an indoor-outdoor effect as they look more like luxury tiling. These can be laid continuous or a broken-up layout. Budget is an important consideration as paving slabs do vary in price so you need to choose the right paver for your budget. Concrete paving is often the cheapest option. These come in a range of colours and are long-lasting and also recyclable. Natural stone like sandstone, limestone and granite are a very popular choice and are a mid-range option. They are hard-wearing and durable and offer a timeless look to your garden. Also available in a large selection of sizes and colours. If you are looking for a low-maintenance paver then porcelain is a good choice. More expensive than a natural stone it is a very hard-wearing paver, which is non-slip and provides resistance to frost, algae and stains. Are there different levels in your garden? Will you need a retaining wall to accommodate these and if so what materials do you want to use for this part of the project. What would look good against the paving, what material would you like to use, what colour, what size? For finishing touches you can choose to install a paving border to your patio in a different colour to provide a contrast to your paving and to add a visual definition to your patio. If you are planning a new patio and would like to discuss how to choose the right paving for your garden please get in touch to arrange a free consultation and quote. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com. We cover East London and West Essex.
Looking After Your Garden Paving
Looking after your garden paving. A patio provides a great entertaining space and is a popular choice and a great addition to your home. As with most things it requires a little maintenance and here are some tips and advice for looking after your garden paving. Sweep your patio area regularly with a stiff broom to keep away any fallen leaves or debris. Remove all furniture and give it a good all over sweep. This easy action helps to prevent seed germination. Weed your patio regularly. Try to remove the weed at the roots to prevent them from growing back. If you come across stubborn weeds or have a fair amount of weeds on your patio you can also use a weedkiller product. Be careful when removing weeds as when pulling up the weeds you can remove some of the sand from the joints and you will need to fill in this gap or the weeds will grow again. Most paving slabs just require a bucket of soap and water to keep clean. If you feel that your patio needs a deeper clean then use a specialised patio cleaner to tackle any stubborn stains. Make sure that you check that the product is suitable for the type of pavers that you have installed. This is really important as you don’t want to cause any damage to the surface of the pavers. If you have a natural stone or concrete paver make sure that any patio cleaner that you use is acid free. Test a small area before use. If you choose to use a jetwash to clean your patio make sure that it is on a low power setting and take care around joint areas as the pressure may break or damage the mortar. Work from a good range and at an angle. It is recommended to wash your patio three to four times a year. Applying a sealant will keep your patio looking its best. Again make sure you use the right product for your pavers. Try to seal your patio every few years.
