We popped out to film and a chat with Dan at Marvel Paving and Construction at this property in Highfield, Southampton. The house, which was built back during the second world war, is tucked away in a leafy street just off the busy high street of Portswood, and the tired concrete patio and driveway were in need of transformation.
We sat down in the garden to discuss with Dan how the build progressed and how this amazing city garden has been transformed with our beautiful Indian Sandstone paving and driveway featuring Indian Sandstone setts. We asked Dan how the property owners found out about him, why they chose to work with him, and why they chose the Indian Sandstone paving materials that feature in this garden makeover.
The video below features imagery from before and during the landscaping work so you can really get an idea of how the garden and driveway of this house have been renovated to a beautiful standard.
The house was built as part of the post-war garden city architecture movement – a design ethos that was all about bringing green spaces and city life together to improve the living standards of residents. The owners were keen to create a clean, functional new patio and driveway, while maintaining the period feel of the property. With the help of Dan, they came to the decision that Hale Beige Indian Sandstone and Linwood Sandstone cobbles would suit the house and ascetic they were hoping to achieve – we think the rustic look and natural edges suit the project perfectly.
As well as looking beautiful, the owners were keen to improve the usability of the driveway and patio – in particular, the small area directly in front of the garage, which had so many layers of concrete laid over it during the years that you could no longer open the garage door! To remedy this, Dan had to dig the concrete out so he could lay our beautiful Indian Sandstone Setts. The driveway was another area that needed modernising. The Indian Sandstone Setts were used here too to create a classic driveway apron, ideal for keeping those chippings where they belong! The patio was probably the biggest transformation – using our Indian Sandstone paving, Dan created a large patio with sweeping edges, perfect for relaxing on during those warm summer nights.
The patio was pointed with an orthodox building sand and cement mixture, which was pointed and struck by hand. This also produced a nice golden colour to the pointing mix which complimented the house brickwork and sandstone paving. The Sandstone Setts at the font of the property which formed the driveway aprons and entrance to the garage, were pointed with our flowpoint smooth rapid set flowable grout. This grouting material is rated for heavy duty vehicles, so the property owners can be assured that the grout joins and Setts will maintain their integrity for many years to come.
For a full run down and visuals of the complete project, please watch our video below.
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