WEEKEND NATION SPECIAL. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010, YOUR GARDEN is an extension of your house, increasing your living area. This area can be enhanced by adding a patio area with adjoining paths, making the surface area hardwearing and more suitable for tables and chairs. We all know that at Christmas time, we love to take particular care of our exterior surroundings. Patio areas can be constructed from different material such as, irregular flagstones, uniformly cut stone, gravel, bricks tiles and wood – or use a selection of different materials. Before you begin, see the following checklist: • Consider your use of the area. Will it be an eating area, a play area for children, an area close to the kitchen or in close proximity to electric outlets. • Your patio does not have to be next to the house; it could be at the other end of the garden with a connecting path. • Consider the natural lighting. Where will the sun be at different times of the day? Will you require
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Paving the way . . . some partial shade on one side of the patio? • What shape and size would you like? Don’t construct something that is too big for the garden. If you are adding paths, consider their width. CREATING YOUR PATH bear in mind the overall effect it will have on your garden, making • Choose a design that WHEN sure it will enhance the actual beauty. (GP) enhances the garden, rather than one that is busy and distracting. particularly will be using two • Will you want flowerbeds in or more materials Consider whether your patio to add extra colour and • • How will you use the you want a modern or traditional dimension? surface, will it be easily marked style. • For quality work, it’s best to or stained? hire an expert to do your paving. • Think about colour schemes,