Pierced Cement Blocks at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

PIERCED CEMENT blocks come in a range of geometric patterns (right). They are particularly suitable for screening patios to allow cooling breezes and light to Filter through, but they can also be built as a low wall, either on their own or on top of a low brick wall, around a patio, or to divide the garden. Because the cast-in patterns of the blocks are designed to make larger patterns, they cannot be laid in an interlocking bond. Instead, use a "stack" bond, that is to say, one laid on top of the other. To ensure a strong structure, insert a vertical pier every 1 Oft. These are constructed from hollow precast cement blocks which have slots in their sides to accept the ends of the blocks. The blocks must also be carefully aligned, otherwise the overall pattern will be affected.

Cement blocks are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. The simplest designs (above—bottom left and right) have the advantage of being easy to lay. They blend in with their setting more readily than complicated and difficult patterns (above—top left and right). Detailed patterns can, however, be interesting to look at. It is best to work out the pattern on squared paper before buying blocks so that the exact requirements can be calculated. Lay out all the blocks before securing them, then the whole pattern can be seen. Only cement them into place when you are happy with the effect.

THE MATERIALS you choose should blend in with their context. There are many types of bricks, blocks, pavers, walling blocks, and paving blocks which are all suitable. You can use bricks and blocks both for the risers and for the treads; face textures may be smooth, pitted or, in the case of decorative cement blocks, resemble split stone. Blocks, although suitable only for the treads, may be smoothfaced, riven, or even geometrically patterned for an ornate appearance. SKETCH OUT the position and shape of the steps on squared paper to help you to determine how they will look and how they will fit in with the existing site plan erhaps the most important point is to draw side elevation of the steps, which will show ou just how steep they will need to be. bu will have to take into account certain ifety criteria with regard to the format. If le flight is too steep, it will be tiring to limb. Where it is too shallow there is a anger of tripping.