Small raised patio and balustrade 

This bungalow belongs to an older customer who wanted a seating area outside the patio doors. The biggest requirement was to make the area easier under foot as the current layout was very uneven. 

 

One problem was the downpipe in the middle of the area which needed to be adjusted to outlet onto a planting border to avoid water damaging the house. 

 

 

 

 

The existing steps were around 30 years old and were starting to crumble. The slabs on the steps were loose and would rock when stood on, not so good if you are unsteady on your feet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The design was completed and was presented back to the customer and their son for discussion. The design was agreed and the work added to the schedule. 

 

Notice that the water butt has moved from between the existing steps to the drive to allow for a level surface between the butt and the garden. This will make carrying a watering can from the butt to the plants in the garden much easier. 

 

 

 

 

A large step has been added up to the patio from the drive to make access from the garden much easier. The step is edged with brick to make the feature more visible from the top.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The patio has been laid using Textured Buff paving in a square pattern. The slabs are laid onto a full mortar bed over a substantial scalpings base. A geotextile membrane is installed below the base to prevent the base settling into the soil below. The paving joints are filled with a buff jointing compound. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The patio is surrounded with a simple balustrade to prevent people falling off the edge. It can also act as a handrail, especially near the steps. 

 

Some thin off-cuts of slab were laid in a strip along the edge of the lawn to make mowing the grass easier against the brick wall.