The front of the house is very close now to being finished.
We have gone from having a pond right outside the front door to a complete layout that is just awaiting some backfill and grass..
This was the original design that I wanted back in March...
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This was the second generation that came about in June...
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We started out with laying out some string lines to get the overall perspective of the design.
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The only change from the original design is the corner nearest the garage on the left hand side was originally going to be rounded but after careful consideration (looking at what would be easier) we decided to make the line straight to match in with the rest of the design.
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The next step was to box up and pour the concrete for the steps down to the front door. Once this was complete the pavers could be layed and the preparation for the retaining walls could begin.
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We had a few (9) pavers left over. We decided to create a step stone path down the side of the house to make access to the meter box and gas meter easier for the guys who read the meters...
Thoughtful...I know!! We will fill in around the pavers with a pebble / rock mix.
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All that is left to be done now is the back fill and the top soil and grass. Still need to build a letterbox and put all the pebbles down.
Whilst gluing down the caps I got a little bored!!!
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I blame the heat!
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Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 23, 2008 1:17 am Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 2Jan 23, 2008 7:24 am Wow - did you do all of this yourselves? Looks great! After 4 years - we're in! Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 3Jan 23, 2008 7:30 am Good job Matt!
It’s going to like really nice! Been a busy boy….haven’t you? You must be proud of yourself!!!!!  Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 4Jan 23, 2008 10:53 am Looks very nice, great steps.
Is the retaining wall concreted together or is it one of those fit together lego-style ones ? Was it difficult work getting everything aligned etc ? Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 5Jan 23, 2008 12:08 pm Stonecutter,
I didnt do all of it I have to admit....I had a lot of help. The steps were poured and the pavers were laid by professionals. The retaining wall base course was laid and concreted in by professionals and the actual wall building was done by me... Mish, I really like the look that is becoming our house. I know the colours are not very adventurous...but hey, thats me! It is a good feling to know that I have done so much and I will be able to look back and think "I did that!" Busy doesn't even begin to describe what I have been for the last few weeks.... 
Cabinfever, Thanks! I really like the steps. The retaining wall simply relies on its own weight and the weight of teh dirt behind to keep it together. The cappers are 300mm wide and the bricks are 200mm wide so when the caps are glued on the overlap kepping the blocks down too. Aligning the walls was relatively easy. A long straight peice of wood really helps and even if the bricks are not perfect the capps help to straighten the overall look.  08 Feb 2007 28 NOR Perth Junior Member Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 6Jan 23, 2008 12:25 pm Wow - your house is simply stunning! Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 7Jan 23, 2008 1:11 pm Matt are the retaining wall blocks and pavers from the C&M range?
Looks nice! Are you going to put in the same retaining wall along the driveway on the other side too??? Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 8Jan 23, 2008 1:23 pm Keewee Swan,
Thanks... 
Phoenix, If you look at the seventh photo down you can see in the distance the retaining wall is already in. The blocks are from the C&M range and were very reasonable priced IMO. The pavers are like a lime stone rippled effect. They are good looking pavers but very irregular in size making it very hard to get straight lines...  Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 9Jan 23, 2008 1:31 pm  mattwalkerIf you look at the seventh photo down you can see in the distance the retaining wall is already in. Thanks, sorry didn't notice. mattwalkerThe blocks are from the C&M range and were very reasonable priced IMO. The pavers are like a lime stone rippled effect. They are good looking pavers but very irregular in size making it very hard to get straight lines... Yep thought i recognised them, used them before, I still have some sitting in storage for possible use in the new place, not sure....i'm tossing up using besser blocks with stone cladding for ours. Love DIY'ing that stuff too....great satisfaction. Nice. Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 10Jan 31, 2008 12:58 am Now that looks like a challanging site with the drop to landscape and get looking good!
It is going to come up trumps, well done and good to see someone taking pride in their work  Re: Retaining walls, concrete and pavers... 11Jan 31, 2008 7:06 pm Thanks Fu!
We have the bobcat coming tomorrow so hopefully there will be more to show then... Appreciate that Chippy. I won’t do sand under pavers and will connect all up under pavers, however I was going to do: 1) Roadbase compacted with manual hand tamper 2)… 10 9487 |
I totally know what you mean about the ants here in Perth, they are a pain.
