Paving
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
Episode: 21 (15 September 2007)
Paving is undoubtedly one of the key features that go into landscaping. What you may not know is that the word paving actually refers to all sorts of different hard surfaces; things like asphalt, concrete and segmental paving.
There are two main types of segmental paving; rigid and flexible.
Flexible paving involves lying the pavers on a bed of course, washed sand usually over a sub grade of compacted road base or crushed rock. The thickness of which depends on the type of traffic and foundation material. To lock the pavers together grout sand is swept into the joints.
Rigid paving involves pouring a reinforced concrete slab and then bedding the pavers to down on a bed of wet mortar or tile adhesive. It is a process very similar to tiling and results in a rigid profile throughout.
Some manufacturers of large format paving will only give warrantee if the pavers are installed in the rigid paving format. It is important to note that the rigid format is quite difficult and it is best to seek a professional contractor to undertake the job.
The flexible technique is much easier and it is definitely possible for the home gardener to achieve excellent results with this technique. If you are to take on the job yourself it is very important to remember drainage. Always slop the paving away from buildings whenever possible and install suitable drains to cop with the heaviest of down pours.
You can get great effects by combining the two techniques and different styles of pavers. As an example, recycled red bricks bordering a large format natural limestone or sandstone paver look great.
Before you do any type of paving it is a good idea to talk to your supplier about installation techniques. The supplier wants to see the best results from your paving as much as you do and their advice will ensure your paving remains strong and stands the tests of time.
Episode: 21 (15 September 2007)
Paving is undoubtedly one of the key features that go into landscaping. What you may not know is that the word paving actually refers to all sorts of different hard surfaces; things like asphalt, concrete and segmental paving.
There are two main types of segmental paving; rigid and flexible.
Flexible paving involves lying the pavers on a bed of course, washed sand usually over a sub grade of compacted road base or crushed rock. The thickness of which depends on the type of traffic and foundation material. To lock the pavers together grout sand is swept into the joints.
Rigid paving involves pouring a reinforced concrete slab and then bedding the pavers to down on a bed of wet mortar or tile adhesive. It is a process very similar to tiling and results in a rigid profile throughout.
Some manufacturers of large format paving will only give warrantee if the pavers are installed in the rigid paving format. It is important to note that the rigid format is quite difficult and it is best to seek a professional contractor to undertake the job.
The flexible technique is much easier and it is definitely possible for the home gardener to achieve excellent results with this technique. If you are to take on the job yourself it is very important to remember drainage. Always slop the paving away from buildings whenever possible and install suitable drains to cop with the heaviest of down pours.
You can get great effects by combining the two techniques and different styles of pavers. As an example, recycled red bricks bordering a large format natural limestone or sandstone paver look great.
Before you do any type of paving it is a good idea to talk to your supplier about installation techniques. The supplier wants to see the best results from your paving as much as you do and their advice will ensure your paving remains strong and stands the tests of time.
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