Paving stones, Decking, or alternatives?

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

Suspended / Banned
Messages
9,388
Name
Jon
Edit My Images
Yes
18146-1494062600-3bdd942b7d8b27808c6287eac4acddd8.jpg


This is the front area of our house and the missus likes to sit outside. She is in a mobility power chair, and she has to sit on the top step, outside the front door. She obviously can't use the stairs, but she would like to be able to use the part in the top of the photo. It has a few inches of stone to one side, while the other side is soil. Her power chair weighs 157 Kilos on its own, with her combined weight the chair sinks in the stone and soil. She would like me to pave it over, with paving stones or decking maybe.

The area is 2 Meters by 5 Meters, I just do not fancy lugging heavy paving slabs about. I was wondering, would it be simpler to lay an alternative floor covering? Maybe something you see that covers the paved area in streets when the workers have been digging up the pavement. Not sure if it is Aluminium, or heavy duty plastic that I have seen, or maybe both.

The missus does have easy access to the rear of the building, but it would be nice for her to have more maneuverability at the front. Especially when the kids and grandkids call, as they play at the front. My missus does not like the fact that she blocks the front of the door, with her power chair.

Any suggestions or ideas would be welcome. :)
 
Slabs or 4" concrete on hardcore, but make sure it falls away from the house wall - and tbh I'd look at installing a gulley along the house wall.
 
Alastair said:
Slabs or 4" concrete on hardcore, but make sure it falls away from the house wall - and tbh I'd look at installing a gulley along the house wall.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip @Alastair, sounds like a good bit of work is involved. I suppose I will put the effort in, if I really do have to. Just looking for a quick option that is also long lasting.
 
Decking would be the simplest answer as long as the garden side has suitable support posts concreted in they wouldn't need to be deep either ,about a foot deep and I would think six would do it then simply start a framework off with a batten along the wall ,then overlay joists and screwing to the batten and then fixed to the concreted in uprights ,make sure the framework is level ,screw it all together and lay decking boards ,with a bit of thought it could be level with the font door so she can drive straight onto it .
A weekends work with a bit of forethought and you can make it as plain or fancy as you like

B&q do ten foot lengths of "scan" I.e soft white wood about 2x3 very cheap ,use for the framework ,and usually have sales on of decking . If your not to far I could pop over and help done a few of these for self and family
 
Last edited:
the black fox said:
Decking would be the simplest answer as long as the garden side has suitable support posts concreted in they wouldn't need to be deep either ,about a foot deep and I would think six would do it then simply start a framework off with a batten along the wall ,then overlay joists and screwing to the batten and then fixed to the concreted in uprights ,make sure the framework is level ,screw it all together and lay decking boards ,with a bit of thought it could be level with the font door so she can drive straight onto it .
A weekends work with a bit of forethought and you can make it as plain or fancy as you like

B&q do ten foot lengths of "scan" I.e soft white wood about 2x3 very cheap ,use for the framework ,and usually have sales on of decking . If your not to far I could pop over and help done a few of these for self and family
Click to expand...

Well, that is very kind of you, thank you.

All the above looks very daunting to me. I have no building, or hobby projects experience whatsoever. Thanks for explaining all that.
 
So far all the above ideas look good, I will certainly give it a go. Whatever I decide to do. Just a little scared of making a costly mistake, and making it both an eyesore and a dangerous hazard area instead.
 
This www.trex.com a lot easier than wood and nicer imho than slabs.

Other brands available.
 
I was thinking of a simple easy way of making a sturdy base, with heavy duty plastic hole covers. The type that workers use, to cover holes in the road/pavement.
Until I saw the price of them here >> https://www.theworkplacedepot.co.uk/hole-cover

At about £60 odd each, for a size 1220(L) x 820(W) x 30(H) board. Probably give that idea a miss then.

Just found out the proper name for them, and they are called road plates.
 
Last edited:
Alastair said:
Slabs or 4" concrete on hardcore, but make sure it falls away from the house wall - and tbh I'd look at installing a gulley along the house wall.
Click to expand...


It is amazing how many folks do not bother with that. We are thinking about doing a similar thing in the front garden (which slopes from front to back), and I tried to explain the concept to my OH, but she simply looked at what other people in the street had done, who had done a bodge job, and put me down as being a bit of a jobsworth (she didn't say it that politely).
 
Driveway grid was put down extensively in our local park on the overflow parking area, set into the grass - works well.
I also have a log cabin in the rear garden set on pads supported by this with gravel.

Beware of decking as it can get slippery. We have the grooved side up which doesn't seem to get as affected.
 
Byker28i said:
Driveway grid was put down extensively in our local park on the overflow parking area, set into the grass - works well.
I also have a log cabin in the rear garden set on pads supported by this with gravel.

Beware of decking as it can get slippery. We have the grooved side up which doesn't seem to get as affected.
Click to expand...
Had an idea would be slippy, I have been looking at the driveway grid option. I am still just as confused, loads of things to think about. Outside now and looking and weighing up our options. :)
 
jonbeeza said:
Had an idea would be slippy, I have been looking at the driveway grid option. I am still just as confused, loads of things to think about. Outside now and looking and weighing up our options. :)
Click to expand...

You can do it, we have a large decked area around the cabin and pathway, but also a pressure washer.
 
jonbeeza said:
I will let you know, after she falls flat on her face (y). :)
Click to expand...
Thanks John, :thumbs:
I have the same quandary, regarding patio's at the moment.
It'll be good to get a first hand "road test"

:D
 
Block paving? Bricks are relatively light. Just put down a base and then lay them on top in whatever pattern you want. It also means you can do a bit at a time.

The driveway grids are designed for car tyres so has anyone tested them with wheel chair tyres as they're generally much narrower? Just noticed wickes description mentions wheel chair access so they must be ok for that :)
 
Last edited:
Just to say we used to have friends push there pushchairs across ours without any issues
 
srichards said:
Block paving? Bricks are relatively light. Just put down a base and then lay them on top in whatever pattern you want. It also means you can do a bit at a time.

The driveway grids are designed for car tyres so has anyone tested them with wheel chair tyres as they're generally much narrower? Just noticed wickes description mentions wheel chair access so they must be ok for that :)
Click to expand...
Keith W said:
Just to say we used to have friends push there pushchairs across ours without any issues
Click to expand...
Missus is in a power chair, bloomin heavy it is. The power chair is 157 kilos on its own. The driveway grids do look good, I might go and have a closer look, in the shop. :)
 
Last edited:
jonbeeza said:
The drive way grids do look good, I might go and have a closer look, in the shop. :)
Click to expand...
There is are 2 guys opposite, both drives slope circa 1 in 20 towards the road, 1 put grids down before adding the stones, they seem stable enough, he parks 2 average size cars on there.
The other grassed over his grids, and he parks a large BMW or a smallish caravan on there.
There doesn't seem to be any issues, with either. both are about a year old now.
 
jonbeeza said:
Missus is in a power chair, bloomin heavy it is. The power chair is 157 kilos on its own. The driveway grids do look good, I might go and have a closer look, in the shop. :)
Click to expand...

Well ours could support a C-Max and on occasions had two other cars on it at the same time so I think it would cope with the power chair
 
Cobra said:
There is are 2 guys opposite, both drives slope circa 1 in 20 towards the road, 1 put grids down before adding the stones, they seem stable enough, he parks 2 average size cars on there.
The other grassed over his grids, and he parks a large BMW or a smallish caravan on there.
There doesn't seem to be any issues, with either. both are about a year old now.
Click to expand...
Keith W said:
Well ours could support a C-Max and on occasions had two other cars on it at the same time so I think it would cope with the power chair
Click to expand...

Obviously would take the weight then. I think I will have a closer look at it. :) (y)
 
I doubt you'd need anything under them as long as the ground is solid and they're laid level , some sharp sand would probably be enough
 
Just spotted some flagging, while trawling the net. I wonder how many 60x60CM flags, I could get in a Ford Galaxy? I will do a search, and see if I can get any info. I do not want to knacker the car's suspension. Although I do risk knackering myself. :eek:
 
It seems that 60x60CM paving stone weighs about 40kg. 40 kg weighs about 6 stone. Our car can carry five people in the back. So assuming they are about 12 stone in weight. That would work out at ten paving stones. So working out that the car could carry five overweight people in the back. I reckon I could carry fifteen paving stones easily. But would twenty paving stones be pushing it a little? I have been trying to find out the carrying weight of the car, but all sorts of figures pop up.
 
Nod said:
Seems a bit heavy - Wickes reckon 32kg/slab (600x600). 450mm square would be 16.5 kg and 300mm square a "mere" 7kg. Put the seats flat and spread the load as evenly as possible. Use a sheet of something to protect the carpet - tarpaulins are pretty cheap.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Gardens/Paving+Walling/Paving-Slabs/c/1000715
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Building-Materials/Bricks,-Blocks+Lintels/Tarpaulins/c/1000280
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link @Nod. I was looking at the 50mm grey council paving style of slab. The ones at Wickes do look as though they would be lighter. So assuming the worst and basing the flags on the heaviest. I should be OK carrying fifteen flag stones then. :)
 
Obviously for your purpose the larger the stones the better, to avoid gaps etc for wheelchairs and a smoother ride, but it'll be a compromise between size and weight.
You might think 40kg is ok, until you come to lay them, move them around. Thats seriously heavy, especially when doing a few
 
Byker28i said:
Obviously for your purpose the larger the stones the better, to avoid gaps etc for wheelchairs and a smoother ride, but it'll be a compromise between size and weight.
You might think 40kg is ok, until you come to lay them, move them around. Thats seriously heavy, especially when doing a few
Click to expand...
I do recall messing about with flagstones about fifteen years ago. I know my body is going to pay after I have finished the project. :(
 
Council flagstones are designed to take the weight of trucks parking on them so would be massive overkill for your needs! One of THESE (or similar) will make placing the slabs a LOT easier and quicker. TBH, I wouldn't worry too much about making the area a very smooth ride by using fewer, larger slabs- it's not like your wife will be racing over it! It is definitely worth getting it decently level though, it'll make getting where she wants to be easier for her or her pusher. Another option could be a simple poured slab of concrete.
 
Nod said:
Council flagstones are designed to take the weight of trucks parking on them so would be massive overkill for your needs! One of THESE (or similar) will make placing the slabs a LOT easier and quicker. TBH, I wouldn't worry too much about making the area a very smooth ride by using fewer, larger slabs- it's not like your wife will be racing over it! It is definitely worth getting it decently level though, it'll make getting where she wants to be easier for her or her pusher. Another option could be a simple poured slab of concrete.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all that @Nod.

I am still looking at other types of paving and other materials also.
 
pay for delivery, you'll need sand and cement, a lot more than you think you will, those 25kg bags don't go very far
 
wack61 said:
those 25kg bags don't go very far
Click to expand...
Funnily enough I was doing similar "sums" last night, and according to Wickes
0.3sq m @50mm depth apparently ie 3.3r bags to the meter.
£2.29 ea. or 5 for £1.59 ea.

Or a jumbo bag @ £42.99 covers 11sq. m.to the same depth
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top