Patio

An attractive patio is an outdoor living space which can be used for any number of purposes and the easiest way to create one is to lay individual paving slabs.

The wide choice of materials available means that there is something to suit every location and every budget.

First choose a shape to suit your location, mark out the boundaries of your patio and calculate the number of slabs you'll require.

Clear any rubbish, turf, existing slabs and top soil from the site to a depth of 6in. to allow room for the hardcore, mortar and paving slabs. Level the ground to a smooth even surface - if your patio is next to your house remember to build in a slight gradient to carry away rainwater and to keep your finished patio below the house damp course.

Cover the site with a 2 inch layer of hardcore and rake to achieve an even surface. Use markers around the site indicating the desired level of the finished patio.

Mix 5:1 building sand to cement and, starting from one edge, lay each slab on a 2 inch bed of this mix - checking that you are level with your marker pegs as you go. Leave a gap of about 1/2 inch between slabs. Tap down each slab firmly as it is laid.

When you have finished laying your patio, fill in the gaps between the slabs using a pointing trowel and the same mortar mix. Wipe off any mix that accidentally gets on the slab surface as this is almost impossible to do without damage when dry.

Pour yourself a large gin and tonic or a nice cup of tea!