Garden Decking in East London
20 Jun

Getting your Patio or Decking Ready For Summer

Now is a good time to take a look at what needs to be done to create that perfect entertaining space for summer. The good news is that there shouldn’t be too many tasks and it shouldn’t take too long. Let’s take a look at where to get started. First thing to do is have a good tidy up of your patio or deck area. Remove all the chairs and pots and give the area a good sweep over to get rid of any debris and leaves. Remove any weeds. Next give it a good clean. You can use either soapy water or give it a light jetwash. Take the covers off your furniture, brush off any bugs or cobwebs and give it a clean. Wipe the cushions down and let them dry out properly. Check the labels to make sure you follow the instructions. Clean any exterior windows or patio doors to make sure that your entertaining space looks very inviting. Clean your bbq ready for the busy summer of grilling ahead. If you have a gas bbq check the bottle to ensure that you don’t run out of gas. Finally think about if you want to add anything to your garden space. Maybe an umbrella or pergola for some sun protection, some lighting for the late summer evenings or adding some more colour to your garden beds with some bright summer flowers. Then sit back, relax and enjoy!

Black paving East London
23 Jan

Paving Trends For 2023

Patios provide a great space for relaxing and entertaining in your garden. Here we take a look at paving trends for 2023. Always a popular choice, porcelain paving is going to big again in 2023. Porcelain looks great and provides a modern look to a garden. It is a very low maintenance option and a tough paver too, being frost resistant, non-porous and scratch resistant. If you are looking to bring the inside out at your home porcelain is a good choice and if you are keen to try to improve your carbon footprint then consider these pavers as they are made from natural raw ingredients with minimal waste and contain no waterproofing agents, resins or varnish. We will be using a lot of natural stone for our patio projects again this year. Indian Sandstone is very popular as it very versatile and comes in a variety of colours, sizes and finishes to suit all types of garden design. Hand-cut pavers work well in a traditional garden and sawn sandstone suits a more modern look with its clean lines. Sandstone has a long life span as it is a natural stone created over millions or years. When cleaning your sandstone patio avoid using acidic substances and harsh chemicals. Granite is another popular natural stone. Being a natural stone, the composition and colour of the stone will vary and it will have subtle sparkles. It is very hard wearing, heat resistant and there are good slip resistant finish options available. It is another low-maintenance paver. Regarding colour grey paving remains a popular choice as it works well in both modern and older properties. Black is also going to be seen a lot this year, providing a sleek look to your garden. Think porcelain, limestone or granite paving. When planning your new patio area think about your budget, the style and colour you are looking for, the size of the paver and the best location in your garden for the patio. If you are looking to install a new patio and would like a consultation with one of the team to discuss the different products please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment. We cover East and North London.

How To Choose The Right Paving For Your Garden
03 Nov

How To Choose The Right Paving For Your Garden

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.  

25 Jul

Latest Client Review East London

Just received this lovely review from a happy client in Leyton, East London.   “C&J Landscapes installed some decking, slabbing and a lawn for me. I had an initial chat with Christian when I was still deciding on a few things, which wasn’t a problem. He talked me though the available options for the materials and provided some samples for the decking and slabbing so I could chose the colour. The work was completed efficiently to a high standard. Very professional and pleasant firm, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”

Indian Sandstone paving in grey installed in East London
22 Jul

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.

Slate Paving East London
28 Feb

Slate Paving

Slate paving is a hardwearing material which seems to improve with age. It is popular in gardens for its anti-slip properties which are due to it being very dense. It is non-porous meaning that is does not allow liquid to easily pass through and it dries quickly (rather handy in the UK with all our rain!) Being a natural stone it is better to use for the environment than a man-made stone. It is a good choice to bring the outdoors in as you can also install indoor slate pavers in your kitchen to provide a seamless flow through. There are options of a flagstone or a paving slab. Flagstones have a more natural and weathered look suited to a traditional garden. Slate pavers suit a more modern garden by providing a crisper look. Slate paving comes in many shapes and sizes and works in both traditional and modern gardens. Different sized riven paving works well in a cottage garden and more standard sizes work well in contemporary spaces. Slate paving is ideal if you are looking for a darker blue or grey colour paver which provides a good background for your plants and flowers. Regarding maintenance it should be given a thorough clean two or three times a year and regular sweeping to keep the area clean. If you would like to discuss a paving project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation with one of the team.

paving services east london
15 Aug

What to Consider When Planning a New Patio

Here we look at what to consider when planning a new patio. When planning a new paving project in your garden there are many things to take into account, your budget for the project, ensuring you have the correct drainage. the type of paving you would like to install, the colour of the paving, the size of the pavers, the layout of the pavers. Also what you are hoping to achieve with your new patio, what you are looking to use the new area for and the best location in your garden to install this. Patio Position Before installation take a good look at your garden space and work out the best place for the patio. Where would you get most use out of it. Do you have a really sunny corner that would work well or would you prefer to have the patio straight outside of your property making it easy for entertaining. Think about the best position to ensure privacy. Size Think about the size you would like your patio space. Take into account the size of the space that will fit well in your garden. Also the amount of people it needs to accommodate, maybe a cosy seating space or a large entertaining area for friends and family. Think of the furniture you have in mind for the area and ensuring that there is enough space around the furniture to walk around comfortably. Budget Plan your budget for the project and try to stick to it. Speak to professionals to discuss your project and get a quote for the work. Find a contractor you feel comfortable working with. Style There are many options available with pavers so carry out online research to find out which colour, paving material and style works well with your property and with your project. Think about the layout as the pavers can be laid in different patterns. You can also choose to have all the paving slabs the same size or there are mixed sized packs available to create different designs. Also what works well within your budget as prices can differ between different types of materials. Drainage Drainage is a very important factor when installing paving. If you use a contractor for your project they will be able to bring their expertise in that area to your project and ensure the correct drainage is in place. If you are thinking of what to consider when planning a new patio and have any questions or would like to discuss a paving project please get in touch. We provide landscaping services in East London and specialise in paving, decking, fencing, driveways and turfing. Please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.

12 Aug

Latest Client Review

Here is the latest review from Fiona, a happy client in East London, where we carried out a complete garden redesign for her.   “So pleased with my new garden thanks to Chris and his team. Very friendly and professional service, and they managed to transform my messy garden in just 2 days. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend C & J Landscapes.“   If you would like to discuss a landscaping project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We specialise in decking, paving, fencing, driveways and turfing. Our friendly, experienced teams cover East London and West Essex.

23 Jul

Latest Client Review

Here is the latest review from a happy client in East London where we installed a new patio for them.   “Couldn’t be happier with the new patio, friendly team, very knowledgable and good attention to detail. Recommended.”   If you would like to discuss a landscaping project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We specialise in decking, paving, fencing, driveways and turfing. Our friendly, experienced teams cover East London and West Essex.

garden in autumn
13 Sep

Your Garden in Autumn

Your garden in Autumn. What to do now. Here we look at how to plan ahead. Now that the kids are back to school and days are getting shorter, gardens are being used less. It is a perfect time to stand back and think about work that needs to be undertaken in the garden.   There may be fences that need a little maintaining – it can be less expensive to replace part of a fence than face replacing the whole fence, and possible deal with security breaches as well.  There may be broken sections of decking or damaged flagstones in paths.   Taking quick action in dealing with loose boards in sheds, or replacing shed roofs will prevent further decay over the coming winter. If you are unsure about the extent of the damage, it is worth talking to a landscape contractor like C&J Landscapes who can advise on the best course of action.   Yet it is not just time for maintenance checks – this is the ideal time for dealing with those issues that have arisen over the summer. How often did you think – perhaps having a slightly wider patio would be useful when entertaining?  Or that path really needs replacing with a better, long lasting material?  Or that decking project you have always dreamed of with the build in bar? Or how a gazebo in a sunny corner of the garden would have improved your enjoyment throughout the summer?   Taking action now means that you still have time to enjoy those new features before the onset of winter. It also means that you can choose the best landscape contractors to undertake the work since most people leave this type of project until the last minute, and then find that good landscape contractors are often fully booked.  The project then has to wait until the contractor is available.   Timescales are always important. With the British weather, no one can ever rely on having a long period of sunshine, or simply a period of dryness during which work can be carried out quickly and efficiently.  Sudden heavy rain can cause unexpected delays.   Calling in the landscape contractors now means that you can take advantage of the drier autumn days, when the ground is still firm and work can be carried out with the far less mess and risk of winter delays. A good landscape contractor can ensure that your project is completed quickly and efficiently so that you can enjoy a Halloween or Bonfire Night party in your garden without worrying about space or safety.   If you would like to discuss a project please do not hesitate to get in touch to talk through your ideas www.eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide landscaping in East London .