Paving services in Harrow
When searching for paving services in Harrow and the surrounding areas it is always advised you take your time in selecting a confident contractor. Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape Gardeners have been operating in Harrow for over 10 years. We have a good knowledge of all types of paving materials, their various laying techniques, and the pros and cons of each.
One of the main aspects of identifying what sort of paving you would like and where is a matter of importance. A well built patio or driveway should last in excess of 50 years! This means to get the correct choice established in the beginning is crucial as you will have to live with the result for many years to come. Our paving in Harrow always ensure to be the very best, see examples below.
One of the main aspects of identifying what sort of paving you would like and where is a matter of importance. A well built patio or driveway should last in excess of 50 years! This means to get the correct choice established in the beginning is crucial as you will have to live with the result for many years to come. Our paving in Harrow always ensure to be the very best, see examples below.
Some of our paving services
One of Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape Gardeners main attributes is we understand design. Our Director Paul has a master’s degree in landscape architecture which makes coming up with the correct scheme straight forward.
After a free consultation we will establish your perfect paving based on your requirements, style and your gardens opportunities and constraints.
When we have completed a consultation with you we will offer a formal quotation. Our quotation will be based on building all paving to British Standards.
Our paving services in Harrow use the recommended dig out depth, substrate compaction and mortar rations. This is our guarantee to you so you can have the perfect paving which will look perfect even in many years to come!
Check out examples of our paving services in Harrow below:
After a free consultation we will establish your perfect paving based on your requirements, style and your gardens opportunities and constraints.
When we have completed a consultation with you we will offer a formal quotation. Our quotation will be based on building all paving to British Standards.
Our paving services in Harrow use the recommended dig out depth, substrate compaction and mortar rations. This is our guarantee to you so you can have the perfect paving which will look perfect even in many years to come!
Check out examples of our paving services in Harrow below:
What to consider when paving your property in Harrow
Orientation
The orientation of your garden and subsequent paving is a valuable element to consider when planning for paving services. The most important thing to consider is sunlight! Due to Harrows rather unpredictable weather it is always best to go for a sunny position. This allows you to enjoy your paving for a longer duration of the year squeezing every last bit of warmth out of the season.
As patios are made of either concrete or stone they absorb and retain heat. This means they can help to create pleasant micro climates in the garden. This is especially true if you are lucky to have a south facing garden and your patio is adjacent to the home. This can create the perfect environment for warm summer evenings and even early morning breakfasts. A well planned garden patio with a good micro climate can enable tropical plants and even fruits to thrive.
Microclimate is a major design factor when planning paving services in Harrow. Harrow being a part of the urban sprawl of London is always a couple of degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside.
As patios are made of either concrete or stone they absorb and retain heat. This means they can help to create pleasant micro climates in the garden. This is especially true if you are lucky to have a south facing garden and your patio is adjacent to the home. This can create the perfect environment for warm summer evenings and even early morning breakfasts. A well planned garden patio with a good micro climate can enable tropical plants and even fruits to thrive.
Microclimate is a major design factor when planning paving services in Harrow. Harrow being a part of the urban sprawl of London is always a couple of degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside.
Design
The design of your new paving will simply come down to the shape, orientation, material and style of the new paving. Most clients have a very good idea of what kind of surface area they wish from their new paving. As a landscape company offering paving services in Harrow we can advise you on what is a good solution for your requirements.
When considering a patios design functionality should always be one of the most important design elements to consider. How you intend to use the garden space and how it interacts with other elements is a vital element to think about.
The problem with most paving in Harrow gardens is they do spatially flow complimenting the whole site. Our paving services in Harrow can consult with you to suggest the best way to approach this aspect of patio design.
When considering a patios design functionality should always be one of the most important design elements to consider. How you intend to use the garden space and how it interacts with other elements is a vital element to think about.
The problem with most paving in Harrow gardens is they do spatially flow complimenting the whole site. Our paving services in Harrow can consult with you to suggest the best way to approach this aspect of patio design.
Material
The material you use will be most commonly based on one major factor usage and style. If your garden will be subject to moisture retentive conditions and young children or elderly people adequate grip is required. This functional aspect will seek paving with adequate texture such as natural riven sandstone or granite aggregate. There are many well textured paving types and we can advise you on what paving is suitable for your requirements.
When it comes to style there are many ways to involve the client in reaching the paving of their dreams. Most of the time clients have got some idea of what paving they want or have seen something they like. We always encourage our clients to get involved in the design process of their paving or patio. We have found that a Google search for images usually helps us find precedent images so our clients can narrow down the effect they like.
When it comes to style there are many ways to involve the client in reaching the paving of their dreams. Most of the time clients have got some idea of what paving they want or have seen something they like. We always encourage our clients to get involved in the design process of their paving or patio. We have found that a Google search for images usually helps us find precedent images so our clients can narrow down the effect they like.
A very common thematic idea or harrow clients seem to like is the idea of inside flowing through to outside. The harmonious transition from inside to outside space is a common tool of architectural design across the globe. A very common development of Harrow properties today is to install wide sliding doors to a rear extension. This gives a marvellous opportunity to extent your living room onto the paving outside.
Many clients wish they can bring the garden level flush with the floor level of the home in this scenario. This may or may not be possible depending on the damp proof level of the building and where the airbricks are situated. Our local paving services team in Harrow can advise you on these patio design issues.
Many clients wish they can bring the garden level flush with the floor level of the home in this scenario. This may or may not be possible depending on the damp proof level of the building and where the airbricks are situated. Our local paving services team in Harrow can advise you on these patio design issues.
What type of paving to choose?
As discussed in the previous paragraphs there a few things to consider when planning the perfect paving for your garden. Above all the spatial orientation of your paving should be perfectly functional for your needs and above all it should look great.
As discussed our paving services in Harrow can work with you giving a free consultation on what would work best for you. With precedent images and a big vision we can work with you to come up with a scheme of international design quality. This process unique to Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape Gardeners usually safe our clients thousand in garden design costs.
As discussed our paving services in Harrow can work with you giving a free consultation on what would work best for you. With precedent images and a big vision we can work with you to come up with a scheme of international design quality. This process unique to Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape Gardeners usually safe our clients thousand in garden design costs.
Our paving services in Harrow combine knowledge of garden design and patio construction to create the best paving solutions. Check out an example of this in the image below. Amit and Pav’s garden was sketched out after an initial consultation with Paul. They ended up with a fantastic new modern landscape scheme with Brazilian Black Slate paving. We suggested a curved retaining wall with a slate capping cut beautifully for seating.
If you need more information on how to choose the perfect paving for your garden there is an excellent and thorough article written here.
If you need more information on how to choose the perfect paving for your garden there is an excellent and thorough article written here.
Paving a front garden or driveway in Harrow
Paving your front garden in Harrow usually involves making way for an extra parking space. This is even more sought after if you have no current parking on your front garden at all. In the last 15 years harrows population has risen sharply. Many once family homes have been converted into smaller dwellings leading to more stationary traffic and parking opportunities.
Driveway construction in Harrow
Driveway construction within Harrow is typically characterised by what we call block paving. The most common type is the brick type paver which comes in the colours brindle, charcoal, and buff. The second type is what Marshalls distinguish as tegula or charts. These usually come in three sizes and have a cobble type effect. This type of block paving is more aesthetically pleasing and cost on average £5 a square metre.
The main advantage of the Tegula over the brick they is they do not require as much colour dye to reach their aesthetic qualities. The cobble like tones of pale greys which are typical of tegula mean the suns UV rays will not bleach colour dyes down as much.
The main advantage of the Tegula over the brick they is they do not require as much colour dye to reach their aesthetic qualities. The cobble like tones of pale greys which are typical of tegula mean the suns UV rays will not bleach colour dyes down as much.
The suns effect on concrete pavers dyes will mean any coloured paver will eventually fade down to a pasty concrete shade. Tegula block paving all ready takes this type of colour shade sun bleaching has minimal impact. The heavily coloured brick type block paving usually always fades significantly in the first 7 years after completion.
The real reason block paving is used for driveways is it allows small amounts of movement to allow for the uneven weight distribution of a heavy vehicle. The movement should be very subtle and not enough to visibly see any level change of the driveway paving. This type of paving is called flexible paving.
Rigid paving construction techniques can be used on driveways however this requires such a depth of concrete or mortar the cost usually renders it not worthwhile. Driveways made of concrete including moulded all need suitable expansion joints to avoid cracking.
The real reason block paving is used for driveways is it allows small amounts of movement to allow for the uneven weight distribution of a heavy vehicle. The movement should be very subtle and not enough to visibly see any level change of the driveway paving. This type of paving is called flexible paving.
Rigid paving construction techniques can be used on driveways however this requires such a depth of concrete or mortar the cost usually renders it not worthwhile. Driveways made of concrete including moulded all need suitable expansion joints to avoid cracking.
Drive way construction using flexible paving should excavate to a depth of at least 250mm below the wearing surface. 150mm of MOT Type 1 compactable hardcore should be laid to levels and compacted with a vibro-compaction plate. There should then be a 50mm layer of compacted sharp sand screeded to levels.
Blocks should then be laid tightly and cut in neatly around all obstacles. The finished driveway should then be sanded and compacted. A competent paving company will leave the surrounding area as cleaner as and tidier than they found it.
If you would like to know about our paving services in Harrow why not contact us for a consultation. If you would like to see a video example of our driveway construction using Tegula block paving watch the video below.
Blocks should then be laid tightly and cut in neatly around all obstacles. The finished driveway should then be sanded and compacted. A competent paving company will leave the surrounding area as cleaner as and tidier than they found it.
If you would like to know about our paving services in Harrow why not contact us for a consultation. If you would like to see a video example of our driveway construction using Tegula block paving watch the video below.
Drainage considerations of new paving in Harrow
A main problem in modern harrow is many gardens are being paved over. Garden lawns and flower borders allow rain water to be absorbed by the soil. This saturates the underlying clay which eventually filters to the London basin and underground chalk aquifer.
As Harrow has become more developed excessive rain water has run off paved surfaces straight into the drainage network. This has meant clay cracking and shrinkage has resulted from less rain absorption leading to ground movement and subsidence. This process can be detrimental to paved areas, garden walls and even the structural integrity of buildings.
As Harrow has become more developed excessive rain water has run off paved surfaces straight into the drainage network. This has meant clay cracking and shrinkage has resulted from less rain absorption leading to ground movement and subsidence. This process can be detrimental to paved areas, garden walls and even the structural integrity of buildings.
Excess storm water runoff into Harrows drainage network has added to London’s urban flood risk. Excess storm water also leaches pollutants from our roads and industrial surfaces into the local hydraulic cycle and subsequent food chain. We have an extensive article written on landscaping and garden drainage in Harrow here.
In order to mitigate this Harrow council seeks permission for all new driveway paving. All new paving where soft soil once was must either flow into a reasonably sized flower bed. If the whole driveway is being surfaced then a 1 metre cubed drainage cage must be installed under the paving. Our paving services in Harrow can advise you on the best way to go about planning your new driveway paving.
In order to mitigate this Harrow council seeks permission for all new driveway paving. All new paving where soft soil once was must either flow into a reasonably sized flower bed. If the whole driveway is being surfaced then a 1 metre cubed drainage cage must be installed under the paving. Our paving services in Harrow can advise you on the best way to go about planning your new driveway paving.
Paving a back garden patio in Harrow
Back garden paving on our Harrow & Hillingdon projects usually involve using natural stone paving. The most popular paving type of paving here is Indian sandstones, limestone’s and slates. These are in my opinion best for back garden paving and patio areas. The reason for this is they look good and unlike concrete paving do not fade in sunlight.
Back garden paving and patios are laid using rigid construction techniques with our without joint pointing. For more rustic paving we usually point with a 3:1 mortar mix. For more modern finely cut paving like slate we choose to but up joints and sand the seams. This all depends on the client’s preference of course.
Back garden paving and patios are laid using rigid construction techniques with our without joint pointing. For more rustic paving we usually point with a 3:1 mortar mix. For more modern finely cut paving like slate we choose to but up joints and sand the seams. This all depends on the client’s preference of course.
For back garden paving and patios that will only take the weight of human traffic we advise the following. Excavate paving areas to a depth of 200 mm and lay a 100mm depth of MOT Type 1 compactable hardcore.
This depth really depends on the soil type and humus layer depth. 200mm depth however is adequate for the typical ground composition of harrow. Our paving services in Harrow team can advise you on this further during a consultation.
Once the compacted hardcore base is in place we recommend a 60mm 5:1 sharp sand mortar mix to lay the paving. The paving should be laid to allow water away from any buildings and to prevent puddles.
Paving should be laid on a consistent mortar mix with every part of the paving underside bonded to the mortar. The mortar should have enough water content to allow for a good suction seal between the paving and the mortar mix.
Paving should then be jointed with a strong mortar mix or if butted tight sanded with kiln dried sand.
This depth really depends on the soil type and humus layer depth. 200mm depth however is adequate for the typical ground composition of harrow. Our paving services in Harrow team can advise you on this further during a consultation.
Once the compacted hardcore base is in place we recommend a 60mm 5:1 sharp sand mortar mix to lay the paving. The paving should be laid to allow water away from any buildings and to prevent puddles.
Paving should be laid on a consistent mortar mix with every part of the paving underside bonded to the mortar. The mortar should have enough water content to allow for a good suction seal between the paving and the mortar mix.
Paving should then be jointed with a strong mortar mix or if butted tight sanded with kiln dried sand.
Beware of paving companies that knock on your door
Over the years of paving and landscape gardening in Harrow I have often seen a very typical sight. Driveways built on mass by a single company with teams of workers and advertising boards on every corner. Most often the company disappears as quickly as they appeared never to be heard of again.
Usually a very persuasive sales man is employed to knock door to door down a whole street. They are very charming and offer extremely low prices resulting in a mass of paving projects in a very short time. Clients see they are already building numerous driveways and feel secure to part with their cash.
Usually a very persuasive sales man is employed to knock door to door down a whole street. They are very charming and offer extremely low prices resulting in a mass of paving projects in a very short time. Clients see they are already building numerous driveways and feel secure to part with their cash.
How do we know this? Our Harrow paving services are routinely called to re build driveways left by these sorts of paving companies. Many clients wish us to put right the jobs they have built. The problem is they do not excavate to the correct depths and do not use the correct compactable sub-grades to base the drive. They use inferior, cheap materials meaning the whole project must be disposed of and started again.
Any clients who are happy with the initial driveway are sorry to see tyre treads and hollows to appear after only a couple of years. These companies are not registered and change their names every couple of years. This enables them to be completely unaccountable for their work meaning you cannot claim for any losses. Do not use any of these paving companies! They are very common across the company and will come back to harrow streets on a ten year rotation.
Any clients who are happy with the initial driveway are sorry to see tyre treads and hollows to appear after only a couple of years. These companies are not registered and change their names every couple of years. This enables them to be completely unaccountable for their work meaning you cannot claim for any losses. Do not use any of these paving companies! They are very common across the company and will come back to harrow streets on a ten year rotation.
We recommend you read our construction guide above and question any paving company on what materials they use and what depth or construction specification they will use. Ask them to provide a written specification with a drawn section of the driveway materials and build up. Our Paving services in Harrow can advise you on all this data.
Paving on Harrows geology
Harrow has a unique geology and soil type. Harrow sits within the greater London basin which sits upon a bed rock of porous chalk. This has provided much of London’s water over the last 100 years as it acts as an underground aquifer.
On top of the aquifer is a layer of yellow Wealden clay which most of our gardens and buildings sit upon. Sitting on top of this is a humus layer of dark brown topsoil. In lower areas such as Hatch End this can be deeper and high areas such as Northwood hills can be shallower.
Paving companies, contractors and landscapers offering paving services in Harrow should be aware of Harrows geology. When excavating for new paving base materials should be laid only when the yellow, Wealden clay layer is reached.
Wealden clay can shrink and expand with moisture content. It is therefore important that paving companies in Harrow do everything they can so water can return to the ground in some form.
On top of the aquifer is a layer of yellow Wealden clay which most of our gardens and buildings sit upon. Sitting on top of this is a humus layer of dark brown topsoil. In lower areas such as Hatch End this can be deeper and high areas such as Northwood hills can be shallower.
Paving companies, contractors and landscapers offering paving services in Harrow should be aware of Harrows geology. When excavating for new paving base materials should be laid only when the yellow, Wealden clay layer is reached.
Wealden clay can shrink and expand with moisture content. It is therefore important that paving companies in Harrow do everything they can so water can return to the ground in some form.
Examples of Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape Gardeners paving in harrow
Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape gardeners have provided paving services in Harrow for over ten years. Through rugged determination to be the best we have invested much time and energy preparing case studies and producing videos of our projects.
This gives you the client the ability to see how we build paving step by step so you understand the process we use. This way there is no way it cannot be clear what is expected.
We are also extremely proud of our portfolio and articles on the subject of paving and general landscape gardening in Harrow. Please browse through our articles and garden construction videos to see examples of our paving services in Harrow below.
This gives you the client the ability to see how we build paving step by step so you understand the process we use. This way there is no way it cannot be clear what is expected.
We are also extremely proud of our portfolio and articles on the subject of paving and general landscape gardening in Harrow. Please browse through our articles and garden construction videos to see examples of our paving services in Harrow below.
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Paving Harrows gardens what is our approach?
Harrow and Hillingdon Landscape Gardeners are experts in paving design and laying paving. During a consultation with you we will establish your needs and desires to come up with the best paving solution for you. Our extensive knowledge of design and landscape architecture will enable us to work a scheme that works with the whole garden.
During a process of utilising precedent images and simple sketches we can come up with the best paving scheme for your needs and desires. We want all of our gardens to look like something out of a magazine so we can continue to show off our great workmanship. Why not contact our Harrow paving services today?
During a process of utilising precedent images and simple sketches we can come up with the best paving scheme for your needs and desires. We want all of our gardens to look like something out of a magazine so we can continue to show off our great workmanship. Why not contact our Harrow paving services today?
Contact us for paving services in Harrow.
One of our major selling points in our company is there is no distance between our tradesmen and our office. All of our paving projects in harrow are led by Paul and usually built by him also. On working with you during the consultation and quotation phase Paul will also be on site with you also. This means we can realise the original big vision with ease building exactly what is in the expectations of the designer and client.
When contacting us please feel free to call but we much prefer you send us an email with your requirements and expectations. This means we can contact you ready to plan for a consultation. We have very hands on approach to our business! Usually we are not able talk on the phone straight away due to site meetings, driving or site working conditions. It is much better to email us.
We usually hold a lead time of 6-10 weeks from agreeing a quotation to a starting date. All good quality contractors there is some wait for their services as they are in high demand. Please do not hesitate to contact our paving services in Harrow today.
When contacting us please feel free to call but we much prefer you send us an email with your requirements and expectations. This means we can contact you ready to plan for a consultation. We have very hands on approach to our business! Usually we are not able talk on the phone straight away due to site meetings, driving or site working conditions. It is much better to email us.
We usually hold a lead time of 6-10 weeks from agreeing a quotation to a starting date. All good quality contractors there is some wait for their services as they are in high demand. Please do not hesitate to contact our paving services in Harrow today.