Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Flaunt your facade
Take your front yard from faded to fabulous with a few simple landscaping projects
Dress up your front yard for impressive kerb appeal
first impressions count, so overhaul your place to ramp up your street appeal. It’s easier than you think to turn an unloved front yard into an attractive space. Say goodbye to scrappy grass, empty garden beds and bare concrete with easy DIY solutions.
It’s time to…. PAVE THE VERANDAH
If your front porch is dated and showing signs of wear and tear, but the surface is intact, give it a face lift by paving over the existing surface.
Gather your supplies
• 10 bags Sydney sand
(tiling or sandpit sand)
• 4 bags off-white cement
• 400 x 400 x 40mm pavers • 600 x 400 x 40mm pavers • 400 x 400 x 40mm bullnose pavers (we used Adbri Eurostone in Riverina, Prague and Zurich) • Mortar mix
• Powerloc jointing sand
You’ll also need
Broom; shovel; screed; spirit level; steel float; sponge; trowel; rubber mallet; brick saw (hired); wheelbarrow
Here’s how
STEP 1 Sweep existing pavers to remove loose material or weeds. STEP 2 Thoroughly mix dry sand and cement with shovel to achieve an even colour. Level dry mix with screed, starting at wall of house and working backwards. Use spirit level to check level as you go. Use steel float to level under doors.
STEP 3 At front edge of verandah, remove a strip of dry mix about 10cm wide. Mix mortar in wheelbarrow following product instructions. Lay a bed of mortar with trowel along this strip slightly higher than the level of the dry mix. Wet bullnose pavers with sponge to ensure good adhesion to mortar.
STEP 4 Lay pavers on mortar. Check level with spirit level and tap with rubber mallet to adjust if necessary.
STEP 5 Continue laying pavers on dry mix using different sizes and colours in a random pattern. Cut pavers with brick saw as required.
STEP 6 Sweep Powerloc jointing sand into gaps, making sure there is no sand left on surface of pavers. Spray lightly with hose to activate sand’s polymer binding agent. (You can also use fine, kiln-dried sand.)