Landscaping Ireland glossary of terms & specs

Irish Department of Transport specification for well-graded crushed stone (0–31.5mm) that compacts tightly with a vibrating plate to form a frost-resistant, load-bearing sub-base under patios, paths and artificial grass.

Kiln-fired ceramic stone slab baked at 1,200°C+ with less than 0.5% water porosity and a textured R11 anti-slip surface rating designed specifically for wet outdoor patios.

A liquid mixture of Styrene Butadiene Rubber latex polymer and Portland cement brushed onto the underside of non-porous porcelain, granite or limestone flags so they chemically bond to the wet mortar bed.

Laying paving slabs onto a continuous 35–50mm bed of 4:1 sharp grit-sand and cement across 100% of the slab area — preventing the hollow voids, rocking and frost cracking caused by spot-bedding.

A slotted 80mm or 100mm agricultural drainage pipe laid inside a geotextile-lined trench filled with washed 20mm pea shingle to intercept groundwater in heavy clay lawns.

A water-permeable, soil-filtering fabric laid between clay subsoil and clean stone sub-bases or French drains so mud cannot pump upwards and clog the aggregate.

A recessed polymer-concrete or stainless-steel drainage channel installed along house walls and flush patio doors to carry surface rainwater into the storm-water gully.

Structural softwood (posts, sleepers and deck joists) kiln-dried and vacuum-impregnated with preservative specifically rated for direct, permanent ground contact in damp Irish soil.

Second-generation composite decking where the wood-polymer core is encased in a tough, non-porous outer polymer shield that resists fading, algae and food oil stains.

Riven flags (such as Kandla Indian sandstone) are hand-split along natural bedding planes for a textured cleft surface; sawn flags (such as silver granite or Kilkenny limestone) are diamond-cut and flamed/bush-hammered for flat precision.

White powdery calcium salts that migrate out of wet cement mortar or un-tanked concrete block retaining walls. Prevented by SBR priming, low-alkali mortar and rear dimpled membranes.

Irish Building Regulations (Part C / Part H) requirement that external patio paving sits at least 150mm (two brick courses) below the house DPC to prevent rain splashback bridging the wall, unless a drained threshold channel is fitted.

A galvanised or stainless-steel tray that replaces an unsightly black cast-iron inspection lid inside a patio and is inlaid with matching cut porcelain or stone slabs.

Irish Revenue rule under which permanent supply-and-install landscaping and paving works qualify for the 13.5% reduced construction VAT rate provided material costs do not exceed two-thirds of the contract price.

Paving and drainage design that allows rainwater to infiltrate through permeable joints, gravel strips or garden soakaways rather than overwhelming public storm sewers.