The before photo tells the story of this Pontypool back yard. Old crazy paving had broken up, with weeds growing through the gaps, and a large part of the space was just bare soil with pots and stones stacked around the edges.
We replaced it with a new patio of square buff slabs, all one size, with a lightly riven, stone-like texture. They run in straight, even lines from the back doors to the brick wall at the far end, turning an awkward strip into one level, usable courtyard.
Why uniform slabs suit a narrow space
In a long, thin yard, a busy pattern can make the space feel even narrower. Squares of one size, laid in tidy rows, lead the eye down the length of the garden and make it look wider. The pale buff colour also helps, bouncing light around a yard hemmed in by walls and fences.
Along both sides, timber sleeper edges hold the planting beds, so the cordyline and other plants have their own space and soil stays off the paving. Near the middle, a small square of gravel was left round the base of a timber post, which lets water reach the ground and avoids cutting slabs tight against it.
Replacing crazy paving
Crazy paving was popular for decades, but it is often laid on a thin bed, and over time the pieces work loose and the joints fill with weeds. Relaying it rarely lasts, so on a job like this the old surface comes up and the ground is prepared from scratch:
- lifting the broken pieces and clearing the soil and rubble;
- laying and compacting a hardcore base;
- bedding the new slabs with a slight fall away from the house;
- pointing the joints so weeds have nowhere to root.
Yards like this across the town
Many older Pontypool homes have small, enclosed back yards, and paving is often the most practical way to use them. Our patio slabbing for Pontypool terraced houses guide covers the options, the patio slabbing and paving page shows the materials, and our landscaping in Pontypool page covers the wider area.
Questions About This Job
Can old crazy paving be kept and repaired?
Sometimes a small area can be patched, but if it has sunk or lifted in many places the base has usually failed. Taking it up and starting again gives a flatter, longer-lasting result.
Which slabs suit a small yard?
Lighter colours and simple, regular layouts tend to make a small space feel bigger. Large slabs also mean fewer joints, which looks calmer and gives weeds fewer places to take hold.
Why edge planting beds with sleepers?
Sleepers give a neat, solid edge that holds soil back and keeps it off the paving. They also add some warmth against pale slabs and painted walls.
How much would a patio like this cost?
It depends on the size, what has to come up first, access through the house or a lane, and the slabs you choose. Contact us for a free quote from Tony and the team.
