Front Path Help

[bigbaddom]

Finally finished inside, and I am moving onto the outside.

I was looking for some help on what everyone thought I could do with this?

Here are some photos





The step is being tiled.

I need to keep the paving stones, although lots of people dont have the surrounding cement, although I am still stuck with a difficult transition between grass cement step.

Under the pot on the left there is also a man hole cover.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!
Dom

[P4T]

Hi Dom

Can you clarify that you HAVE to keep the existing paving slabs?..

If not I would lift them and re lay possibly some black limestone slabs as they look quite contemporary which would work well against the contemporary front door.. Personally I would also use them on the step..

My recent use of black limestone paving..

[Simpo Two]

Indian sandstone for me.

[surveyor]

Tile step = slip when wet?

[bigbaddom]

Yes as I said I need to keep the existing paving stones running up to the house. Its on an estate and they are being very picky about what they want people to do.
I know I could fight it, but I want to live here for a long time and don't want to any the neighbors..

The step is being tiled with these

http://www.wallsandfloors.co.uk/catrangetiles/anti...

http://www.wallsandfloors.co.uk/catrangetiles/arch...

My issue is how to make a nice transition.

At the moment the stupid builders put the step over the paving slab so I will need to cut it out.

Do I did out all the surround cement? Put a grass barrier round the grass? Then put white pebbles everywhere?

I am stuck.....

[anonymous-user]

Slate? Just done my side path and patio in this - looks lovely.

But that limestone look great too!

[B17NNS]

Those tiles will still be as slippery as fk I'm afraid.

Millions of people live on estates and change their paths. I can't see what the issue would be with the neighbours by ripping up a badly laid path made of scabby old 2' x 2's and replacing it with something nice.

Did you have to get permission to change your front door too?

[Spudler]

bigbaddom said:

Yes as I said I need to keep the existing paving stones running up to the house. Its on an estate and they are being very picky about what they want people to do.
I know I could fight it, but I want to live here for a long time and don't want to any the neighbors.....

Enlighten us because that sounds bks.

[anonymous-user]

Who is "they" ?

[RichB]

B17NNS said:

...Did you have to get permission to change your front door too?

Indeed

[P4T]

Perhaps not the most politically correct answer however, if you own the land which has the slabs on it I would do as I please with it within reason. Anything is going to look better than what is there at the moment and no one would be able to argue that point.

[bigbaddom]

Yes as it happens I did need to get permission to change the front door too!

I know that legally I would win.

There is a committee full of people with far too much time and money on their hands (all retired and quite well off) who don't want me to change the front path.

All I wanted was a little help with what I could given the constraints I have outlined.
I know their are lots of options that might look better

Thanks

[RichB]

Replace it with Indian sandstone, bound to look better than concrete slabs and similar in appearance.

[anonymous-user]

What sort of committee? One with "real" power?

[B17NNS]

Legally? Is it your land? Your garden? Your path?

Who are these mysterious 70's paving conservationists?

"Protecting Britain's paths, one wonky old slab at a time"

[P4T]

Within your constraints I would have the existing concrete slabs power washed/sandblasted to make them at least appear less old and haggered. Chip out all the existing cement pointing and clean up the edges to the grass and in fill with some black or white pebbles.

I will also add that I think these old people with lots of time and money on their hands will continue to be bullies unless someone stands up to them. Also it is in their interest to allow you to make cosmetic changes to your house as it will increase the value of your home and then theirs by proxy.

[P4T]

Within your constraints I would have the existing concrete slabs power washed/sandblasted to make them at least appear less old and haggered. Chip out all the existing cement pointing and clean up the edges to the grass and in fill with some black or white pebbles.

I will also add that I think these old people with lots of time and money on their hands will continue to be bullies unless someone stands up to them. Also it is in their interest to allow you to make cosmetic changes to your house as it will increase the value of your home and then theirs by proxy.

[bigbaddom]

No, no real power.

They want the row of houses to look similar hence they want me to keep the path.
My land... umm complicated as far as I understand... my solicitor had never seen anything like the arrangement that is in place here. I cant remember exactly in enough detail to tell you all the ins and outs.
But I think in reality it is more like a share of freehold agreement. There are also communal gardens etc.

Yes I have stood up to them for some thing, but for this I just don't see the point... The neighbors have managed to make theirs look nice (although slightly different to mine - so I cant copy their step detail).

[anonymous-user]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, a group of neighbours have created a "committee" to ensure uniformity among the houses because they are a bunch of selfish, interfering Luddites?

Been there many years ago with similar neighbours.

If this I the case, do what you want with your property and tell them to get a life.

[B17NNS]

I'm not going to try and pretend to understand your logic. You've clearly spent a lot of money on the new door and frame. Why you are prepared to let that be spoiled by that path is beyond me.

However, were it me, under those constraints, I'd replace the existing with like for like new plain grey 2' x 2' slabs (They run at about £5 each). Lay them properly this time, cut them with a Stihl saw to achieve the curve. It won't look pretty but at least it won't look a mess. Surely 'they' can't object to that?

Or be a devil and go for some grey riven 2' x 2'.

Shame, a nice path would really compliment what you've already achieved.