English
1. Apply for a dropped kerb
A dropped kerb allows vehicles to cross the pavement from the road to a driveway - enter your postcode to find your council’s website for more information.
Only the Local Council can drop kerbs. You must not carry out the work yourself.
Planning permission
You don’t usually need planning permission for a dropped kerb. However, it will be needed if your property:
- is in a conservation area
- is on a private road
- is on a classified road
- is on a Transport for London red route
- hard-standing doesn’t have sustainable drainage
- is a multi-dwelling property
- is a listed building
2. Remove everything
- Concrete
- Soil/Root/Plant
3. Apply Layers
Have a cracked concrete fillet?
Need a wall?
Index | Layer | Surface Finish | Dimension(mm) | Notes | Available at |
5 | Exterior Paint | Exterior masonry paint (breathable or elastomeric) | – | Apply 2 coats over primer. | ㅤ |
4 | Primer | Masonry primer | – | Apply after waterproof slurry has cured. | ㅤ |
3 | Waterproof Coating | Damp Proofing Slurry (2 coats) | – | Apply directly to blockwork. Dampen wall first. Protect until cured. | |
2 | Thin Decorative Boundary Wall | 4:1 (50:50 mix building sand + sharp sand) :Cement | ㅤ | ||
1 | Wall footing | C20 Concrete: 1 cement : 6 ballast.
Avoid heavy loading until after 7 days. | W: 2*block width
D: 150-300 | After the concrete sets enough to walk beside it (next day), lay 15–20 mm of 4:1 mortar to perfectly level the first course. | |
0 | Soil (existing) | Excavation
Compacted | D: 150-300 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Need a tree?
Index | Layer | Surface Finish | Dimension (mm) | Notes | Available at |
3 | Decorative gravel (around tree) | 10–20 mm stone | 40–50 | Aesthetic match to other gravel areas | |
2 | Topsoil (tree planting zone) | Loamy enriched soil | 300–400 | Deep enough for Topiary Ball roots; | ㅤ |
1 | Subsoil (existing) | Compacted | — | Loosened for drainage | ㅤ |
0 | Soil (existing) | Compacted base | ㅤ | Level base before topsoil | ㅤ |
Need porcelain tiles?
Index
|
Layer
|
Surface Finish / Material
|
Dimension (mm)
|
Notes
| Available at |
5
|
Lawn / Grass
|
Established turf or seeded grass
|
–
|
Will grow up to tile edges; maintain level flush with tile surface for mowing
| ㅤ |
4
|
Grass Seeding Area
|
Prepared topsoil
|
~80
|
After tiles are laid, loosen and level soil around slabs; remove stones and debris; sow grass seed evenly and rake lightly
| ㅤ |
3
|
Tile
|
Porcelain paving slab
|
18–20
|
Apply SBR–cement slurry primer to tile underside; lay wet-on-wet onto mortar bed; follow slight fall (~1:60 or ≈1–2°) for drainage
| |
2
|
Bedding Layer
|
6:1 sharp sand : cement mortar (mixed with 50:50 water:SBR)
|
30–40
|
Provides full support and adhesion; do not use dry mix for porcelain; thickness can vary slightly for level adjustment
| |
1
|
Type 1 MOT Sub-base
|
Compacted crushed stone
|
75–100
|
Stable foundation; compact in layers (≤50 mm per pass); match final surface slope for drainage
| |
0
|
Soil (Subgrade)
|
Natural compacted subsoil
|
–
|
Excavate to accommodate total system depth (~130–160 mm including tile); ensure solid, even base and clean edges
| ㅤ |
Need a gravel driveway?
Index | Layer | Surface Finish | Dimension (mm) | Notes | Available at |
3 | Decorative driveway gravel with Plastic Paving Driveway Grid | 10–20 mm angular stone | 40–50 | Vehicle grade | |
2 | Weed control membrane | — | — | ㅤ | |
1 | Type 1 MOT sub-base | Compacted | 100–150 | For vehicle load | |
0 | Soil (existing) | Excavation
Compacted | 140–200 | Ensure drainage | ㅤ |