Cheap filler below decorative stones

[djjohnnyb]

Hi. Hoping someone can help. I am using some decorative stone on the edge of a new patio. The edges are deep (over 40cm as the patio is raised) so filling them fully with the decorative stone only will be very expensive. As you only see the top layer I’m trying to think of something cheap but solid to fill the majority of the cavities, before adding a layer of the stones on top to finish off.

I’ve bought some landscaping bark chippings, but forgot they would rot over time and shrink, so I’m guessing this isn’t a good idea?

If not, would top soil do the trick (as it’s also cheap) or would that also shrink over time?

Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Hi. Hoping someone can help. I am using some decorative stone on the edge of a new patio. The edges are deep (over 40cm as the patio is raised) so filling them fully with the decorative stone only will be very expensive. As you only see the top layer I’m trying to think of something cheap but solid to fill the majority of the cavities, before adding a layer of the stones on top to finish off.

Can you not use stone/brick rubble/gravel as a base?

 

[djjohnnyb]

I don’t have anything like that. The patio was done last year, this edge was going to be left as is but I want to make it look better, hence what I’m trying to do now.

 

[Old Salt]

Get some cheap pea gravel or pebbles to fill the base then decorative stones on top. The decorative stones may migrate over time but you should get a few years out of it or better still put some membrane over the gravel then add the decorative stone.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I don’t have anything like that.

No one doing any demolition in the area? Or, could you go buy a bag or two of gravel, from a local garden/DIY centre?

 

[StephenStephen]

Unless you want things growing in it, don't use anything organic like topsoil or bark.
Rubble, old concrete or bricks you can probably pick up free locally - you can use freecycle, freegle, Facebook or other social media to find some

 

[djjohnnyb]

Get some cheap pea gravel or pebbles to fill the base then decorative stones on top. The decorative stones may migrate over time but you should get a few years out of it or better still put some membrane over the gravel then add the decorative stone.

I was hoping for a cheaper option I had two bags already and they barely touched the sides. I’d need to spend £100 or more on the bags you get at Wickes to get enough

 

[djjohnnyb]

No one doing any demolition in the area? Or, could you go buy a bag or two of gravel, from a local garden/DIY centre?

I’d need much more than two bags, I estimated I’d need to spend close to £100 on the bags you can buy at Wickes

 

[djjohnnyb]

Unless you want things growing in it, don't use anything organic like topsoil or bark.
Rubble, old concrete or bricks you can probably pick up free locally - you can use freecycle, freegle, Facebook or other social media to find some

Yeah, I’ll see what I can find, that’s probably my best option. Thanks.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yeah, I’ll see what I can find, that’s probably my best option. Thanks.

There are always people locally, with building work going on, and a skip at the door - just take a wheel barrow along and ask if you can help yourself to some of the rubble. You will be doing them a favour.

Round the back of my summer house, it is like a builder's yard. Piles of matching bricks, matching roof tiles. Over the years, when ever anyone local has had any work done, I've collected a few of the undamaged items, to add to my stock. Any rubble from my own work, is likewise stored, for use in the bottom of planters.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes marketplace is rife with people trying to pass off a load of broken bricks as 'hardcore'.

 

[Old Salt]

I’d need much more than two bags, I estimated I’d need to spend close to £100 on the bags you can buy at Wickes

Get a tonne bag it works out loads cheaper.