Paving laying steps from one of our in-house landscaping experts, Callum Jepson.

1. Design & Prep

• Map out paved vs. soft areas (grass/plants).
• Ensure a slight slope away from buildings for drainage.
• Dig 150mm deep, lay a weed membrane, fill 2/3 with crushed stone, and compact with a wacker plate.

2. Installation

• Use a 50mm full bed of 4:1 sharp sand/cement mortar.
• For porcelain: Apply slurry primer to the back of every porcelain slab or they will not stick.
• Handle large slabs (600mm+) with two people; level them using a rubber mallet only.
• If cutting is needed: Use a diamond blade. Use a table saw for porcelain and a disc cutter for stone. Always wear a dust mask and goggles.

3. Jointing & Finishing

• For a simple finish, soak the patio and brush the compound into joints.
• Rapid-set grout (Flowpoint): Use for porcelain; mix one bag at a time and clean excess within 15 minutes.
• Sealing (only required for Natural Stone): Apply a sealer (like PRO-410 for colour boost or PRO-810 for invisible protection) to prevent stains.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing your RF paving, including:

• Budget
• Desired aesthetic
• Practicality, including levels of strength, durability, and weather resistance – for example, a driveway may need stronger and thicker slabs to handle the weight of a car

Selecting a landscaper is highly dependent on what works for you (and your budget), but there are a few green flags to look for, including:

• Qualifications such as an NVQ or an apprenticeship in landscaping
• Previous works similar to your project
• Positive reviews from previous customers
• Association accreditations such as the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the British Association of Landscaping Industries (BALI) and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL).

For more tips, see our guide to choosing the right landscaper.

Want a landscaping aesthetic that ties in with your interior decor? There are so many ways to do this, such as by taking styling inspiration from the same era or culture for both your home and garden.

One of the easiest options is to stick with the same colour palette inside and out, choosing plants, flowers and pavers that echo the hues of your indoor ornaments.

However, for ultimate indoor-outdoor cohesion, in-and-out tiles are the best. See our guide to coordinating your interior and exterior tiles to learn more.

Paving isn’t just for home landscaping. We’re proud to work on projects for a range of commercial property types, such as:

• Apartment complexes
• Office parks
• Hotels

See our guide to paving commercial spaces for advice on choosing the best paving for your needs.