A New Patio From The Ground Up

Does your patio look tatty and uninviting? This rebuild will inspire you to get the party cooking.

What you Need to Install the Pavers

Smartstone Estcourt pavers (500 x 500mm), sandstone
Smartstone Huguenot cobblestone,sandstone
PPC Cement
River sand

What To Do

Step 1: Clear the area of all existing paving and grass, making sure that it is level and slopes very gently away from the house to allow for water runoff.

Step 2: Mix together six wheelbarrows of river sand with two bags of PPC Cement and enough water to form a semi-wet mixture. Spread this over the levelled area with a long piece of wood. Check the levels before placing the pavers. Make sure that all the mixed cement is used within an hour. Mix more as required.

Step 3: Lay the pavers on the wet cement mixture and tap them into place using a rubber mallet. Use builders line and pegs to make sure all the pavers are in a straight line and check every paver with a spirit level to make sure it is level. Allow a 10mm gap between the pavers for the grouting – tile spacers make this job easier and more accurate.

Step 4: Once all the tiles have been laid finish the edge with a row of cobblestones using the same method as with the tiles. Smartstone cobbles come with a lug on two sides allowing you to bump the cobbles up against each other, leaving a consistent gap between each of them.

What you Need for Grouting

Cement
Plaster sand

What To Do

Mix three parts of plaster sand with one part cement and water to form a thick cement grout. Apply this mixture to small areas at a time with a squeegee, filling in the gaps between the pavers and the cobbles. Clean off excess grout with a damp sponge as you go. Leaving cement to dry on the pavers can alter their colour and can be hard to remove later.

Materials Needed to Install the Heatwave Braai

Octo De Luxe Heatwave braai
Sikaflex®-11 FC + sealant
Rawl bolts

What to Do

The Heatwave free-standing braai is very easy to install. Make sure you have a solid, level surface to work on and rawl bolt the framework to the floor. The flue is then attached to the top of the braai using Sikaflex®-11 FC + sealant.

Adding the Finishing Touches

Wall decoration
Sikaflex®-11 FC + sealant
Homewood furniture – we used a table and benches from the Paindane range and Mixed Wood Cubes

What to Do

To bond the decorative hearts onto the wall make sure that the surface is clean and dry. Place the Sikaflex®-11 FC+ in spots at intervals of a few centimetres on the back of the hearts 3cm in diameter and approximately 0.4cm thick. Press each ornament onto the wall and hold it in position for a few minutes. If necessary, use props to hold the ornaments in place while the Sikaflex®-11 FC+ is left to cure for 24 to 48 hours.