Category: Garden Design Ideas

How To: Lay Gravel Correctly

When it comes to gravel and aggregates here at eDecks, we have a wide range of different colours, textures and sizes. Whether your project is large or small, as a decorative area or for a pathway or seating area, we have information, tips and more to help you create your perfect gravelled area.

decorative gravel

Gravel is a popular option when re-decorating your garden, as it is cost-effective and an easy option that can help transform your garden. However, it is recommended that you consider the size of the stones to suit its requirements, whether it be for decorative purposes or it is to be used as a pathway. It is very important to ensure you prepare the area first, as aggregates can be difficult to keep clean and clear of leaves and weeds. eDecks recommend you mark out the section of land you wish to place the stones so you can get a good understanding of how much you require.

gravel

If you are using the gravel for a decorative area, you then have a wider option of which colours and styles you can use, as decorative gravel does not get disturbed as often and so you can have fine, medium or large gravel. If you are using gravel for a seating area or footpath, then it would be a good idea to opt for medium sized, as if it is too small/fine then it will move around too easily, yet if it is too large, then it may be difficult or uncomfortable to walk on.

decorative gravel 2

For footpaths and seating areas, it is advised that you dig down about 10cm and place a base of hardcore before laying around 50mm of gravel over the top. This will then help to prevent any gravel from moving and sinking under greater weight and movement. For decorative gravel areas, it can be much easier; simply scrape away the surface leaving it flat, place a weed suppressing membrane over the top to prevent weeds from breaking through the gravel, and then lay the gravel over the area to your requirements. Weed suppressing membrane does not prevent plant growth if you cut out the section you are wanting to use with a knife.

weed membrane

Once your gravel is laid, you may wish to add a finishing touch to complete the look, and to prevent it from moving. You could use something like a log roll, which is a cheap and easy option, or larger cobbles or bricks that can be cemented down to create a more permanent edging for your area.

log roll

cobbles

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Gravel around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

48 Hour express delivery available on most items.

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge. Please check the eDecks website for more details.

Please note: These items are delivered to roadside/kerbside or as close to the property as access will allow with the aid of a hand pallet truck.

Please call for bulk pricing.

Limestone v Sandstone: Which Indian Stone Paving Material is Best for You?

The types of stone paving available are exhaustive, however two of the most popular are sandstone and limestone paving. Today we are going to take a look at both in a comparable state to help you decide which is the most preferable stone for yourself.

Sandstone is available in multiple colours, from light buff through to beige, silver grey and shades of dark brown and black. Within each shade group you then have complementary tones and bands of colour which appear subtle when dry and then become much more vibrant when wet. Lighter shades of sandstone are ever so slightly more porous than the darker colours and tend to need additional cleaning or a sealant applying. Sandstone has a rippled and uneven surface and hand-cut edges and can either be a hand-cut thickness or calibrated to an even thickness which will help you when laying the paving. There are other effects and finishes when it comes to sandstone, for example antique/tumbled sandstone has been finished with a time-worn effect with a slightly flatter surface and rounded edges to give the appearance that these stones have been walked over for hundreds of years. Antique/tumbled sandstone is often available in more muted shades, making the property more suited to older style properties and period homes. Sandstone with a sawn finish has a very different appearance, making it a more contemporary option, with its sawn straight edges which enable close jointing which complements the contemporary theme. You will find that sawn sandstone usually has either a honed surface making it super smooth to touch or a sandblasted texture, giving it a gritty feel.

Buff Blend 3
Buff

Limestone paving is rather similar in appearance to sandstone, but tends to have a flatter surface with less riven edges and more of an orange-peel texture to it. The colours available in limestone also tend to be more limited than sandstone with three main colour choices of buff-grey, blue-grey and blue-black. With natural stone, there will always be some variation in colour, however limestone gives off a lot less colour banding and variation of shade than sandstone. One of the great advantages of limestone paving is that it may be placed in numerous areas, such as driveways, patios, walkways, pathways, courtyards, verandas and stepping stones. The versatility of limestone pavers means that they can be applied just about anywhere around your home, both externally and internally. Because limestone is relatively soft compared to other stones, it can therefore be cut much easily to fit in with your intended project.

Carbon 2
Carbon

When using natural stone paving, you will never get two natural stones with the same colouring, patterns and tones, making it completely unique to your property. It is also formed to be able to handle various weather conditions, ensuring it maintains its appearance for centuries, with minimal wear and tear. With regards to caring for your natural stone paving, you will find maintenance a doddle – it is extremely easy to clean and naturally has smaller joints than concrete paving, which even reduces the amount of weeds growing in-between any cracks. Due to natural stone’s durability, you will also find that you won’t have to constantly replace and repair sections of paving as no significant damage should ever occur. It doesn’t have to cost the earth to use natural stone paving, and you will find that in the long run it actually saves you money as you won’t be having to repair or replace the stone.

Indian Stone Mint Fossil
Mint

Colours and shades available in natural stone paving are Raj Green, Carbon, Kota Black, Umbra, Multi Buff, Shadow Grey, Tallow Fossil, Modak, Two Tone, Mint, Lalitpur Yellow, Kotach Blue and Yellow Limestone, giving you endless possibilities to create your dream paving area.

Raj Green Indian Stone 1
Raj Green

As it is a natural product, you may eventually find that algae may build up over the years, particularly on a north facing patio with little sunlight. However, this can be prevented by using a sealant such as the Thompson’s Satin or Wet Look Finish Patio & Block Paving Seal, an advanced acrylic formula protection for paving and driveways, which seals and protects from moss and algae growth, whilst leaving a lovely satin or wet look finish. Paving Seal enhances the appearance of your paving, protects against oil or fuel spills, moss and algae growth and damages from weather and wear and tear, so it is definitely worth considering this option with your paving, however it is not recommended for use with Carbon Indian Stone.

Shadow 3
Shadow

When laying your paving, we recommend using the Nexus ProJoint Fusion All Weather Paving Joint Compound in either Buff, Mid Gray, Basalt or Black, which is a quick and easy solution for filling joints between paving slabs and setts, suitable for natural stone and concrete paving. It provides you with a weed-free, frost-resistant joint without staining the paving, saving you both time and money.

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Indian Stone Paving around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

48 Hour Delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides and instructional videos

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge. Please check the eDecks website for more details.

Installing Indian Stone Paving Like A Pro

Indian Stone Paving Slabs look fantastic on any drive, patio or path – the multi-coloured look and the differently sized slabs offer a professional and more luxury finish than standard slabs. At first glance, it may seem like they would be harder to install than normal paving slabs – but by using a few of these tips and tricks, your project should look like it was installed by a pro. Continue reading

Embracing Your Outdoor Space – Small Deck Ideas

Are you challenged by a lack of space in your back garden? Bigger isn’t always better – and we have a whole bunch of small deck ideas to prove it! Ready to take your cluttered backyard to cosy? Read on to find out more!

Create the Illusion of Space

Making the most of your small deck begins with applying the well-known rules of decoration! Like with small indoor rooms, use a lighter wood for the floors and walls. Painting your decking a brighter colour will help to reflect light, creating the illusion of a brighter and spacious area.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling crafty, paint each board of your decking a different colour in lines to create elongating stripes. Not sold on the idea on the idea of painting each board? Make your decking area instantly bigger by hanging a mirror.

Make a Statement

Draw eyes into your deck with a statement piece of furniture. From bright throws and pillows, through to statement rattan sets and Perspex tables, styling your small deck into a Pinterest-worthy space will help to take away from a claustrophobic feel. Think cosy, instead of cramped and create a haven of cushions, crochet and centrepiece candles.

Vertical Impact

Challenged for space horizontally? Think outside the box and use a fence lattice to grow plants and flowers upwards on your decking. Not confident your green thumb will stretch to those height? Make your very own garden using only plant pots – a collection of brightly coloured flowers and shrubs are ideal for sprucing up a dull deck.

Light Up

Much like painting decking a light colour, installing deck lights can help to create the illusion of space. String up some outdoor fairy lights, or dress your deck to impress by installing decking floor lights.

Small Deck Ideas – Building Your Dream Deck

Have our small deck ideas given you the appetite to get cracking on your next project? A great deck shouldn’t break the bank! Snap up a bargain at eDecks now!

5 Top Tips for Building a Wooden Deck

building a wooden deck

Building a wooden deck is an ambitious project for even the most avid DIY fan. However, knowledge is power and armed with the right tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to crafting up your very own deck.

Ready to take the plunge? Here are our 5 top tips for building a wooden deck

 

Consider Your Decking Materials

Building a wooden deck is a great way to encourage more time spent in the garden. But, depending on the materials you pick, this could mean much longer than you really want due to maintenance and up keep.

If time is a major factor for you, then look to a hybrid material such as composite decking. Composite decking is partially made of plastic, meaning it will last out against the elements, but retain all the beauty of wooden decking for many years.

Similar to composite decking, hardwood decking is growing in popularity due to its long lifespan and aesthetic appearance. Hardwood decking does tend to be more expensive, but there’s always an absolute bargain suited to your budget waiting to be snapped up at eDecks!

 

Level Up

Struggling to make things fit in your garden? Think you’re limited to decking options because your backyard is on a slope? Think again. Adding a level or two is a great way to make the most of your available garden space and helps to break up long unsightly staircases.

Building a wooden deck on a slope has its challenges, so be sure to swot up on best practice and safety guidelines before tackling your next big project.

 

Style Up with Rails

For some decking, railings may be a mandatory safety requirement, but for others who don’t have this limitation, railings can also help to decorate your deck. Even if your decking is made of wood, alternative materials such as metal, glass or even cabling can be used to spruce up your decking.

Looking to add interest beyond a standard set? Why not use lattice to add interest make your decking rails a feature point?

 

Customise Your Colours

When designing your own deck, taking into account the look of your house and garden is key. Often when building a wooden deck, it can be too easy to get caught up in the final decorative touches, but don’t forget to stop and take stock of your core materials. Will your wooden decking boards match up with the rest of your theme?

Anxious they won’t match? Don’t worry – that’s what decking stains were made for! If you’re not sure which shade of wooden decking to opt for, pick the lighter of the options. This way, you can always adjust the colour of the wood gradually – and it’s always easier to go from light to dark than the other way about.

 

Let Your Deck Bloom

Want to hide unsightly screw-heads? Perhaps you’ve used a few reject decking boards that stick out a little too much compared to the rest of your deck? Accessorising your deck with leafy plants and flowers is a great way to inject personality whilst hiding any minor nicks or flaws created in the process of building a wooden deck.

 

Building a Wooden Deck – eDecks

Ready to get cracking on your next project and begin building a wooden deck? Head on over to see the decking on offer at eDecks now! Not sure where to begin or even what materials you’ll need? Don’t worry – our super helpful sales team are on hand to help you design your project – just give them a call on 0844 474 4444.

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