Advice
Guides from the yard
Straightforward guidance on quantities, bases, mixes and choosing between materials. If your job needs a decision we cannot make from a web page, call us.
- Quantities
How much sub-base do I need?
Work out sub-base volume from area and compacted depth, and why the loose volume you order is larger.
4 min read - Quantities
How many paving slabs do I need?
Turn a patio area into a slab count, with sensible allowances for cuts and breakages.
4 min read - Choosing materials
Porcelain or natural stone paving: how to choose
The practical differences in appearance, maintenance, cutting and installation.
5 min read - Choosing materials
Sharp sand, building sand and plastering sand explained
Which sand belongs in which mix, and what happens if you use the wrong one.
4 min read - Quantities
How much concrete do I need?
Volume sums for slabs, footings and post holes, plus common mix descriptions.
4 min read - How to
Preparing a base for a patio
Excavation, membranes, sub-base, falls and levels — in the order you need them.
5 min read - Choosing materials
Choosing decorative aggregate for paths and borders
Size, angularity, depth and edging — how to pick gravel that stays where you put it.
4 min read - How to
Mortar mixes for common jobs
Typical mix ratios for bricklaying, pointing and bedding, and how to avoid weak mortar.
4 min read - How to
Planning a garden wall
Foundations, block or brick, drainage and when a retaining wall needs designing.
5 min read - Practical
Collecting materials or taking a delivery: what to check
Vehicle limits, access, offloading, and getting the site ready before materials arrive.
4 min read
Need help choosing materials?
Tell us what you are building and we will put a quote together. For quantities, access or collection questions, call the yard.