Side lane renovation (2) - Paving

After the drainage was completed, we started design the paving pattern. Considering this side lane will be occasionally used as a service channel for machine to travel, we decidede to use 50mm thick paver to best support the weight to avoid crack.

Materials

From the area, we would need 1 cubic meter of sand and 200kg cement. I hired a pick-up truck from bunnings and bought the materials from martins landscaping supplies, they are based in dural and quite nice guys. We ordered the sandstone paver from Simon Seconds.

Paving

After considering several options, we decided to go with a Random Flagging pattern. With everything prepared, we started the work immediately.

My father-in-law was responsible for preparing the mortar, while I was in charge of arranging the pattern. The first day was quite simple. On the second day, we began to worry that the existing bricks were too square to create a random pattern. On the third day, we had a technical breakthrough and learned to use an angle grinder to cut the stones, allowing us to cut any shape we wanted.

We spent a total of a week figuring out the pattern and details, with everyone in the family contributing their ideas. Seeing the completed work gave us a great sense of accomplishment.

Pattern

Grout

Joy involved with the family

With Bella and Mingzhu participated over the weekend, the building process was filled with laugh and joy.

Result

We transformed a once muddy area with weeds into a nice lovely area that can further be delighted with some mural on the fence. We turned one of the window into a mini bar where I can serve drinks and snacks.