Browse Forums Paving & Concreting 1 Aug 28, 2015 3:51 pm My house is under construction and I am after a zero or ultra low maintenance front, sides and backyard. I am on a compact block and my house takes up almost all of the space, there is only 1.2m on the sides of the house to the fence and 4.5m on the front and 3.6m rear yard on a block of 12.5m wide. I am considering a concrete apron of 1.2m around the house for zero maintainance and also rain and water drainage away from the soil underneath the slab. The front and rear yard still need something simple, probably pebble and mulch and garden beds. Another consideration is artificial grass all around and covering the whole front and rear yard. Any opinions? Thanks. Re: Concrete Apron or Artificial Grass Around a New House 3Aug 28, 2015 6:18 pm I am aware that artificial grass does not provide foundation protection. I am after zero/ultra low maintenance and concrete fits the bill with added foundation protection. Artificial grass is very low maintenance and is much nice to walk on and look at (green) although it does not provide foundation protection. I'm still undecided between the two options. Re: Concrete Apron or Artificial Grass Around a New House 4Sep 01, 2015 9:36 am Artificial grass has become a popular option for a low maintenance garden. However, they are not real grass and would not provide the same advantages as real grass. The plus point is that they are very easy to maintain and will look great all year round. Re: Concrete Apron or Artificial Grass Around a New House 5Sep 01, 2015 1:49 pm Yet to see artificial grass that doesn't look like s#*t after a couple of years. You'll still get weeds growing through it and on it and it won't be pleasant to walk on in summer. Re: Concrete Apron or Artificial Grass Around a New House 6Sep 01, 2015 2:41 pm A combination of concrete apron, artificial grass backyard and pebble/mulch front yard is probably what I am going for. Concrete is ~$100/sqm (colour, includes wire mesh, drainage, dowel, expansion joints and strip around house). Artificial grass including installation is ~$65/sqm and DIY pebble path and mulch garden ~$20-30/sqm. Concrete cost a lot more but it provides the added benefit of drainage water away from the slab and may help against slab heave. You are correct. Just read through all the ncc rules and 75mm is the minimum requirement for me. 4 11153 Grab a hose, insert it at the top of the inlet/down pipe and turn the water on and see where the water is escaping from. Then you'll know. 3 8459 You’re on the right track, wire brush in a grinder then a zinc rich epoxy primer then a top coat of some sort, like a waterproofing membrane. Raising the concrete would… 1 7020 |