Getting ready to sort out the patio. I have read the paving expert site (several times over the years !).
The slabs will are decent moulded ones, 45mm thick in various sizes.
Part of the patio will be bordered by a wall. The issue is how to edge the other parts, (A) where the patio meets the lawn (laid horizontal) and (B) where the patio borders next door (laid to a fall).

Regarding style, what I don't like is the "line of concrete" style edging slabs on edge that would look awful between the patio and the lawn.

Edge A will be on the same level as the lawn and adjoining path.

Edge B is up to 4" higher than next door so it needs some way of constraining the slabs.

For ease, I'll probably do both edges the same way.
I have dug the whole area down 6" for 3" of MOT and 3" for bedding and slab, so I need something to constrain the MOT and lean mix cement/sand bedding at the edges - the lawn part will be back-filled later.

My options a
1. A (very) low brick wall with the slabs laid over the top of this wall and mortared down with stronger mortar to the wall.
2. A brick wall - maybe cobble style bricks - to be laid level with the patio and remain visible, with the patio laid inside.

With option (1), I wondered whether differential settlement between the different types of bedding could result in the slabs cracking at the wall.
I suppose this is unlikely with just foot traffic, but large planters could be an issue. But I think a borderless patio might look good.

For edge A, laid to a fall, I have to decide whether to lay the foundation to a fall, or horizontal and pack out the bottom row - not sure what is usually done in this situation.

Can anyone offer any useful advise before I get cracking ?

Simon.

"sm_jamieson" wrote in message
...
Getting ready to sort out the patio. I have read the paving expert site
(several times over the years !).
The slabs will are decent moulded ones, 45mm thick in various sizes.
Part of the patio will be bordered by a wall. The issue is how to edge the
other parts, (A) where the patio meets the lawn (laid horizontal) and (B)
where the patio borders next door (laid to a fall).

Regarding style, what I don't like is the "line of concrete" style edging
slabs on edge that would look awful between the patio and the lawn.

Edge A will be on the same level as the lawn and adjoining path.

Edge B is up to 4" higher than next door so it needs some way of
constraining the slabs.

For ease, I'll probably do both edges the same way.
I have dug the whole area down 6" for 3" of MOT and 3" for bedding and
slab, so I need something to constrain the MOT and lean mix cement/sand
bedding at the edges - the lawn part will be back-filled later.

My options a
1. A (very) low brick wall with the slabs laid over the top of this wall
and mortared down with stronger mortar to the wall.
2. A brick wall - maybe cobble style bricks - to be laid level with the
patio and remain visible, with the patio laid inside.

With option (1), I wondered whether differential settlement between the
different types of bedding could result in the slabs cracking at the wall.
I suppose this is unlikely with just foot traffic, but large planters
could be an issue. But I think a borderless patio might look good.

For edge A, laid to a fall, I have to decide whether to lay the foundation
to a fall, or horizontal and pack out the bottom row - not sure what is
usually done in this situation.

Can anyone offer any useful advise before I get cracking ?



I laid mine to a fall from house to lawn. Brick edge all round. The gap
between patio and lawn acts as a gutter and is filled with 20mm gravel
topped with slate chippings.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ale43cur7i...patio.jpg?dl=0

mark

On Friday, September 12, 2014 5:06:17 PM UTC+1, mark wrote:
"sm_jamieson" wrote in message

...

Getting ready to sort out the patio. I have read the paving expert site

(several times over the years !).

The slabs will are decent moulded ones, 45mm thick in various sizes.

Part of the patio will be bordered by a wall. The issue is how to edge the

other parts, (A) where the patio meets the lawn (laid horizontal) and (B)

where the patio borders next door (laid to a fall).



Regarding style, what I don't like is the "line of concrete" style edging

slabs on edge that would look awful between the patio and the lawn.



Edge A will be on the same level as the lawn and adjoining path.



Edge B is up to 4" higher than next door so it needs some way of

constraining the slabs.



For ease, I'll probably do both edges the same way.

I have dug the whole area down 6" for 3" of MOT and 3" for bedding and

slab, so I need something to constrain the MOT and lean mix cement/sand

bedding at the edges - the lawn part will be back-filled later.



My options a

1. A (very) low brick wall with the slabs laid over the top of this wall

and mortared down with stronger mortar to the wall.

2. A brick wall - maybe cobble style bricks - to be laid level with the

patio and remain visible, with the patio laid inside.



With option (1), I wondered whether differential settlement between the

different types of bedding could result in the slabs cracking at the wall.

I suppose this is unlikely with just foot traffic, but large planters

could be an issue. But I think a borderless patio might look good.



For edge A, laid to a fall, I have to decide whether to lay the foundation

to a fall, or horizontal and pack out the bottom row - not sure what is

usually done in this situation.



Can anyone offer any useful advise before I get cracking ?







I laid mine to a fall from house to lawn. Brick edge all round. The gap

between patio and lawn acts as a gutter and is filled with 20mm gravel

topped with slate chippings.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ale43cur7i...patio.jpg?dl=0



mark

I was thinking of laying that way, but in the end it is more practical in my case to fall towards the house with a linear drain at the house. The avoids a step at the existing lawn and path (so as not to trip up the toddler !). I can see advantages to both methods.
Anyway, the brick edges of the patio look good. Did you lay them on a foundation and then fill in the patio or do it some other way ?
Also, are the bricks particularly frost resistant ones ?

Simon.

"sm_jamieson" wrote in message
...
On Friday, September 12, 2014 5:06:17 PM UTC+1, mark wrote:
"sm_jamieson" wrote in message

...

Getting ready to sort out the patio. I have read the paving expert site

(several times over the years !).

The slabs will are decent moulded ones, 45mm thick in various sizes.

Part of the patio will be bordered by a wall. The issue is how to edge
the


Can anyone offer any useful advise before I get cracking ?







I laid mine to a fall from house to lawn. Brick edge all round. The gap

between patio and lawn acts as a gutter and is filled with 20mm gravel

topped with slate chippings.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ale43cur7i...patio.jpg?dl=0



mark

I was thinking of laying that way, but in the end it is more practical in my
case to fall towards the house with a linear drain at the house. The avoids
a step at the existing lawn and path (so as not to trip up the toddler !). I
can see advantages to both methods.
Anyway, the brick edges of the patio look good. Did you lay them on a
foundation and then fill in the patio or do it some other way ?
Also, are the bricks particularly frost resistant ones ?

Simon.


Bricks are solid engineering. They were put down as a curb with
cement/concrete. Slabs are on a 3" slightly damp bed of sand mixed with
cement. About 12:1. Sets like stiff sand but is easy to manage during slab
laying. Pointed with white cement/sand

Slabs are 450mm. I did them in panels of 9 (3 by 3) with eng. bricks in
between just to give a bit of design. Also did paths with same brick edge
on both sides and bricks across every 3 slabs, so that the path matches
patio.

mark