Artificial Grass, Decking and New Driveways in Fleet | The Use of Groundworks in Hardscaping
When you invest into hard landscaping, what sits beneath the surface matters most. Groundworks form the base for the structural features but, without correct preparation, even the best materials will fail over time. The landscape gardeners at A1 Landscapes Ltd focus on the use of a strong foundation prior to installing any feature in Fleet.
Proper groundworks protect your investment and ensure that a garden remains safe, level and durable for many more years to come.
Our landscaping services in Fleet include:
For surveys, consultations and quotations, please contact us today.
Groundworks and Hard Landscaping
Groundworks refer to the preparation of the soil and sub-base before installing hard landscaping elements. This includes bulk excavation, levelling, drainage planning and laying a solid base. In Fleet, soil conditions can often vary from a clay-heavy ground to lighter soils.
Each type requires a tailored approach.
Our landscape gardeners assess a site before starting work to ensure that new driveways, patios and decking are built on stable ground.
Hard landscaping features carry weight. Vehicles park on a driveway. Garden furniture and foot traffic put pressure on patios and garden decking. Brickwork must remain stable in all weather conditions.
Without proper groundworks:
- Surfaces sink or shift, and paving cracks
- Water can pool and cause damage
- Fencing posts may loosen
- Artificial grass can develop uneven patches
Strong preparation prevents these issues.
As experienced landscape gardeners, we prioritise excavation depths, sub-base thicknesses and compaction standards on a project in Fleet.
Groundworks for Brickwork and Patios
When installing patios, the ground must be excavated to the correct depth. We then lay a compacted sub-base, typically using MOT Type 1 aggregates and sands. This creates a firm platform for paving slabs. For brickwork features such as retaining walls and raised beds, we install concrete footings below ground level. These distribute the weight evenly, and prevent movements caused by frost or heavy rains.
If you are planning landscaping work in Fleet, groundworks ensure a patio remains level, and that the brickwork always stays secure.
New Driveways in Fleet
New driveways demand greater structural support. They must withstand the weight of vehicles every day. Without the right planning, it is common for hard surfaces to fail. This can lead to high maintenance and repairs# costs, something that every homeowner prefers to avoid.
Groundworks for new driveways in Fleet include:
- Bulk excavation services to remove soft or unstable soils
- Installation of a geotextile membrane where required
- Deep sub-base layers for load distribution
- Edge restraints and drainage compliant with UK regulations
The process reduces the risk of rutting, cracking or standing water. Professionally-installed new driveways should perform for decades, not for a few seasons. Groundworks is often a platform for success.
Fencing, Decking and Artificial Grass Installations
Decking requires stable support posts set into concrete foundations. If the posts are not secured correctly, the structure can shift and become unsafe. Accurate levelling work is essential to avoid uneven boards and, worse still, the drainage issues that can cause floods.
Artificial grass also relies on precise ground preparation.
Our company removes the existing turf, levels the area and installs a compacted sub base before adding a sharp sand layer. This helps in preventing dips in a surface and also ensures effective drainage.
When installed by our landscape gardeners, artificial grass offers a clean, low-maintenance solution for homes in Fleet. Without proper groundworks, however, the surface can quickly lose its appearance.
Fencing often fails because posts are not set deep enough or secured properly. We dig post holes to the correct depth and use concrete to anchor posts firmly. This is especially important in an exposed area of Fleet where the wind can place more pressure on boundary fencing.
The same applies to pergolas, walls and other structural elements.
The Experienced Landscape Gardeners in Fleet
The best landscaping work focuses on what you cannot see.
At A1 Landscapes Ltd, we approach projects in Fleet with a focus on preparation first and installation second. Whether you need to use us for brickwork, new driveways, garden patios, fencing, decking or artificial grass, we ensure that all features rest on solid ground.
If you are planning landscaping work in Fleet, contact A1 Landscapes Ltd and make sure a project starts the right way from the ground up.