Surfaces

Surfaces and Services

Six areas of work, listed in the order they are carried out on a project. Ground preparation comes before installation, and finishing comes after it.

Driveway installation

A driveway is built to carry vehicles and to shed water. The area is set out from the property, excavated, built up with a compacted sub-base and formed with falls before the surface is laid.

Set out and excavation to the required depth
Sub-base spread and compacted in layers
Falls formed so water runs off the surface
Surface laid, edges restrained and joints filled

Patios & courtyards

Patios and courtyard areas sit close to the building, so levels are agreed early and falls are taken away from the walls. The paving is then set out to suit the shape of the space.

Levels set against the property
Ground opened, prepared and compacted
Paving laid to consistent joints
Edges restrained and joints filled

Pathways & walkways

A path is set out from the entrance it serves, whether that is a door, a side passage or a driveway edge. Width, fall and edging follow the way the route is actually walked.

Route set out and marked
Ground excavated and compacted
Surface laid to consistent width
Both edges restrained where needed

Ground preparation

Ground preparation is treated as a stage in its own right, not as an opening task. It covers setting out, excavation, sub-base, compaction and drainage, and it is checked before any surface work starts.

Set out against agreed finished levels
Excavation and removal of unsuitable material
Sub-base brought in and spread in layers
Compaction of each layer as it is placed

Repairs & resurfacing

Where a surface has moved, sunk or broken up, the cause is usually below it. Failed areas are lifted, the base is corrected, and the new surface is laid to meet what is already there.