Laying A New Granite Sett Patio

Follow my new Instagram page for much more frequent updates!

https://www.instagram.com/georgianrenovation/

I decided I wanted to sort the permanent mess outside my back door once and for all. We were also experiencing a surprisingly pleasant summer, so if I didn't sort it now, it would be another year before I could get it done:

I started digging down and laid a course of hardcore. The huge granite rock you see has been in the garden since I bought the house, I haven't had the heart of energy to get rid of it!

String lines set the level:

It would have made far more sense to get hardcore and sand delivered by the tonne, however I ended up going with 20-25kg bags bought locally:

I went with tumbled granite setts, bought from Natural Stone Ireland outside Kells. Absolutely beautiful pieces:

I began laying the outside course in cement mortar, 3:1:

Then a dry mix of cement and course sand, 8:1:

Another string line was dragged down the courses as I progressed to maintain the levels left to right:

I kept going right up to sun-down.

I then laid some white stones either side, in which I will likely set some green plants. I used pointing fuge to fill the gaps between the setts, which sets hard after a few days and binds everything together:

See a timelapse of the process here: