Hexagonal Blocks Square at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

You DO not have to stick to either square, rectangular or hexagonal blocks square paving stones—you can mix them for a more creative finish. You can mix hexagonal blocks square blocks with square or rectangular slabs of different color. With hexagonal blocks square blocks, leave some empty units from the overall area to be covered, so allowing you to make any shape you want. To create an attractive feature within the patio, omit a number of blocks from an area of paving and fill the gap with decorative aggregates. Many types and colors of small-scale stones are available, often pre-bagged.

If you lay rectangular or hexagonal blocks square blocks, you will need half-sizes for the perimeter. Some manufacturers produce half-size blocks, but you may have to cut others to fit, using a heavy hammer and bolster chisel. Measure the offcut, and score the line with the chisel using a straight-edged length of wood as a guide. Then, resting the block on the length of wood, chop sharply with the hammer and chisel to break along the line. Lay all the whole blocks first, then cut and fit the ones for the edges.

Each lOOlb dry pack of ready-mixed mortar is sufficient to lay about 10 blocks that are 2ft square or about 14 blocks 18in square. The material is used with a fairly dry texture and applied in four generous dabs at the corners of the block: the block is lowered on to the dabs and slid into position. Once you are satisfied with the alignment of the block you can simply tap it down to the required level with the shaft of a drill hammer or any reasonably heavy hammer, compressing the mix by about lin.