How to make a brick terrace

Clear the area where you will create your terrace. Next, using lines, pins, lump hammer and a tape measure, measure and mark out the terrace area. Check corners with a builder’s square to ensure they are right angles. Recheck measurements.

Dig down 150-200mm to allow for the foundations and brick thickness. Hire a mini-digger if it’s a big area. Compact the ground to make sure it is firm – you need a solid surface to build on.

Set your levels. Set the first peg at one corner of the site at the proposed finished surface level. Set the second peg at another corner, and use a spirit level to check the two pegs are level. Repeat this across the site’s perimeter – use lots of pegs as this will help as you start to build. Spread a 100mm-deep layer of hardcore across the site – mark your pegs with pen as a guide. Tamp down the hardcore with a hand rammer or compacting plate so the surface is firm and even. Work around the pegs. If you find any sunken areas, add more hardcore and compact again.

Lay a wet 6:1 sand-and-cement mortar mix for your edging bricks. Adjust the depth of the mortar to make sure the bricks sit level with your line and pegs.

As you lay the bricks, build a haunch (a ridge of mortar) on the outside edge to hold the bricks in place. Let it set for a couple of days. On top of the hardcore, put down a bed of sharp sand about 40-50mm deep.

Before laying the central bricks, create a screed board from a plank of wood to level the sand. Cut the plank so that it is a bit wider than the central area. Mark out and cut an L-shaped profile on each plank end (see below right). Make the section cut out 8-10mm smaller in depth than your bricks. Working on small sections at a time, use the board to screed the sand level. Don’t press onto the screed area once it’s level. Make sure there are no hollows. Begin infilling the brick centre. Some bricks will need to be cut. Mark a line on the brick and cut with a stone saw or brick bolster. Make sure you wear the right safety equipment while doing this. Keep screeding and laying small sections until you have covered the central area. Check that the bricks are level and sit 8-10mm proud of the edging.

On a dry day, take a bag of kiln-dried sand and make a small hole in the bottom. Pour the contents over the area to fill in-between the bricks. Sweep the sand into place with a brush. The sand will settle, so may need topping up later.

Place a sheet of hardboard over the terrace and, using a compacting plate, firm everything down. The central bricks should be slightly above the level of the edging. Lastly, brush off any excess sand. Lastly, brush off the excess sand, place your furniture, then sit back and enjoy a welldeserved drink.

Create a screed board to level out the layer of sand under the bricks with varying levels of dexterity required