What to do with concrete b/yard?

[Mike Lowman]

G;day all,

Looking to do some work in the backyard and am having a problem deciding what to do with a large area that is concreted (I have attached a pic) which we'd (SWMBO) and I wish to change.

Can concrete be paved over directly? Would it be feasible to get exposed aggregate laid over the top with paved edges?

I don;t want to rip it up, there is a lot of it, but would appreciate any other ideas.

While I'm here also, I was thinking about nailing/screwing horizontal hard wood into the posts of the paling fence at the back of the pic to make the backyard look snappy. Has anyone done this before?

Cheers,

Mike

[DavidG]

Pave over it, on a thin (20 mm) bed of sand.

[Sturdee]

I don;t want to rip it up, there is a lot of it, but would appreciate any other ideas.

Build a nice raised garden bed in the centre as a feature/focal point. Use sleepers on edge for the sides and make it 2 sleepers high, with sleeper on top as a seat all round. An octagonal shape would like great with some feature plants or a lemon tree, and some paving around it.

While I'm here also, I was thinking about nailing/screwing horizontal hard wood into the posts of the paling fence at the back of the pic to make the backyard look snappy. Has anyone done this before?

Instead of putting boards on it, paint it instead, fence paint is cheaper and looks better. If you put boards on the fence itself get permission in writing from your neighbour as half the fence is owned by him. If you don't you might have to pay for the whole cost of replacement of the fence in due course. DAMHIK.


Peter.

[Ivan in Oz]

Level Roofed Carport,
with the Roof at the same level as the rear Guttering.
This would give Light and Air to the House window and SHADED/ Sheltered area.

WorkMate has done that at his place TOTAL length of the side of their house.

Then TEXTURE CRETE the concrete, like driveways. Nice light colour.

Then comes the Planter Boxes and Plants and Greenry.

[Ivan in Oz]

Sorry,

G'day Mike,

Welcome aboard.
Questions [and POLITE Suggestions] welcome

[Ashwood]

On the front half, lay large (say 400 x 400) pavers over a bed of sand.

On the rear half, arrange a meandering path of large stone slabs (or treated pine sleepers), strategically place a few large pots with feature plants, then fill the rest of the area with coloured pebbles or other (tuscan screenings, etc).

On the fence, quickest change is to nail reed / brushwood sheets.

[HappyHammer]

Welcome Mike,

You can glue concrete pavers directly on to the concrete slab. We have a concrete slab around our pool and the pavers (40mm thick concrete pavers) were glued to the slab and then grouted. Not sure what the technical name of the "glue" is but someone on here will.

HH.

[JDub]

Level Roofed Carport,
with the Roof at the same level as the rear Guttering.
This would give Light and Air to the House window and SHADED/ Sheltered area.

WorkMate has done that at his place TOTAL length of the side of their house.

Then TEXTURE CRETE the concrete, like driveways. Nice light colour.

Then comes the Planter Boxes and Plants and Greenry.

stencil the concrete (although this isnt exactly cheap if you get it done right) then roof the area with a carport or timber pergola type structure....
Planter boxes down the sides and it will look tops

[Dirty Doogie]

What sort of vine or creeper is that growing above the concrete area? Which direction does the area face ?

I think a horizontal hardwood batten screen taken up another 600 above the fence line would look good. Even if you had to put in separate posts for it (so its not actually connected the fence). A few light coats of a colored wood stain and it would be great me thinx.

[Mike Lowman]

Hello all!

I'm overwhelmed with the suggestions and feedback coming through here... I think a working bee might be in order to thank you all for your help!

To start from the bottom, the vine Dirty Doogie, is a serious grape vine, with a trunk that is approximately 30cms in diameter. We have made our own wine, and it's not looking to bad! SWMBO wants it gone, but I would have to go with it. This would inhibit recommendations of a carport/pergola type get up, as there wouldn't be much sky in the backyard after going up.

Happy Hammer, the suggestion of gluing sounds like the sort of paving job I'll try my hand at, as I was concerned about doing a bad job, but I like glue.

And Ashwood, was originally thinking reed screens, but was concerned they might look too 'cheap and nasty' after checking them out in Bunnings. I was thinking that the timber would also be more robust and weathering, which is important.

Jesus... I thought I had too many ideas!

Mike

PS. If this gets done in say... a month, how do I let you guys know?

[Sturdee]

PS. If this gets done in say... a month, how do I let you guys know?

Post photos when finished or as a WIP as you go along.


Peter.

[bingoshelley]

Hello all!

I'm overwhelmed with the suggestions and feedback coming through here... I think a working bee might be in order to thank you all for your help!

To start from the bottom, the vine Dirty Doogie, is a serious grape vine, with a trunk that is approximately 30cms in diameter. We have made our own wine, and it's not looking to bad! SWMBO wants it gone, but I would have to go with it. This would inhibit recommendations of a carport/pergola type get up, as there wouldn't be much sky in the backyard after going up.

Happy Hammer, the suggestion of gluing sounds like the sort of paving job I'll try my hand at, as I was concerned about doing a bad job, but I like glue.

And Ashwood, was originally thinking reed screens, but was concerned they might look too 'cheap and nasty' after checking them out in Bunnings. I was thinking that the timber would also be more robust and weathering, which is important.

Jesus... I thought I had too many ideas!

Mike

PS. If this gets done in say... a month, how do I let you guys know?

hey mike if it takes awhile just go through the pages to find your thread and post reply it will then go back to page 1 cheers good luck

[Dirty Doogie]

A grape vine that size, that fruits is really great IMO. Summer shade and winter sun. So use the area under it as a living area (pavers , tiles, bit of comfy furniture) and put planter boxes a bit further back - some taller shrubs framing a walk/path towards the lawn and the screen.

I'd love to start a garden from a concrete base.