Garden Paving: Dug down 6 inches, now what?

gimpotronitus

Hi,

Newbie to paving here. I am planning to pave my back garden with 400x400x40 paving slabs. I have excavated 6 inches from my back garden (see image) and need advise on the next steps. Please don't tell me I need to excavate further, don't think I could face picking up the shovel again!

Here's what I plan to do next:

1. (Not Sure) - put down anti-weed barrier. The garden had a fair number of weeds, is this necessary? I so, what should I buy?
2. Lay down sub base. Gonna lay down 4 inches of sub base. What should I buy and where? Can someone recommend somewhere to buy it?
3. Lay down 1 inch dry 8 parts sand to 1 cement mix.
4. Lay down slabs.

Am I missing something? Also, I plan to make sure there is a 1:40 slope away from the house towards the back wall, whats the trick to making sure this slope goes in ok? Last question: I plan to use spacers between the slabs, where can I get these.

Many thanks any help!!!!

CJhaughey

gimpotronitus wrote: »

Many thanks any help!!!!

Great site for any questions you have.
http://www.pavingexpert.com/

Alan Shore

Not an expert but have you a plan for drainage?
Do you need the sub base of concrete?
Looks like a lot of concrete to me would aggregate with a sand on top be better?
Laid sandstone pavers (uneven thickness) on a sand base and cement pointing and it works.