Attractive Breeze Blocks

[EvianBaby]

My cat flap/new glass is finally being installed today but the ground on the outside is lower down than the inside so I need to make some sort of platform on the outside. I was just going to get a couple of breeze blocks but they are kind of unnatractive.

Can anyone suggest something that's cheap and easy but might look a bit better?

[Traci66]

We put a layer of bricks on the ground and then topped this with a couple of paving slabs making an attractive step.

[Kiki-frog]

I'm just wondering if you could customise breeze blocks somehow. They're probably too porous to accept paint very well, but maybe you could decorate them?

[Kiki-frog]

Ugh, now thinking of Blue Peter-type breeze blocks with glitter and sticky backed plastic. Stupid idea, forget it!

[EvianBaby]

It's sort of round from the decking area so I was wondering if I could get off cuts somewhere of decking to put over the breeze blocks (or whatever I use) but not sure how I'd secure them.

[albaqwerty]

How about a couple of the biggish bricks used in making garden walls?
The ones with 'cut-outs' in them?

[excelsior-1]

hello again Evianbaby.

what about a small wooden ramp?
your OH could construct one - or there will be one at your local pet or garden store

[EvianBaby]

I can't picture what you mean Alba?

There's not enough room for a ramp, there's only about 15 inches between the glass and the fence. Plus I don't have an OH to make one. Not that I couldn't do it myself.

Also, it can't be a permanent structure as it's a rented house. That's why I was thinking big blocks, so they are heavy enough to stay there without needing cement.

[albaqwerty]

I'll see if I can find anything to explain myself better Evian.
Words sometimes ain't my strong point :-)

[albaqwerty]

typical, can't find any pictures to offer a link.

They're about 10'' or so square, about 4'' deep but not solid.

[Frank97]

Is this what you mean?
http://www.google.co....QsAQ&biw=1093&bih=502

[excelsior-1]

like this - alba?

http://www.wildchicke...en/planted_bricks.jpg

[albaqwerty]

Thank you very much D97!!
That's the exact brutes. One of these days I'll put the right words into a search engine :-)

[EvianBaby]

Oh yeah, they're a bit more attractive. My only thought is that it might be a bit tricky for the cat to walk on but I'll pop in B&Q later and see what styles they have. Thanks all.

[Kiki-frog]

They'd look good, alba, but the holes would just fill up with mud and stuff. But maybe evian could fill the holes with something of a contrasting colour.

[EvianBaby]

Actually, that's a good point. I could just pack the holes with pebbles (which I happen to have half a garden full of). If I pack them in quite tightly it should be ok.

[albaqwerty]

dang, forgot about that Kiki, how about some ground covering plant, fill the holes with compost and cat would have no-where to fall through and a carpet-like covering.
(Now I can't think of the name of the plant I want! not a good day today)

[Kiki-frog]

Ooh, yes, pebbles would look fab!

[albaqwerty]

and much less hassle!

[EvianBaby]

Excellent! Thanks Alba & Kiki.

Thinking about it they'll actually be lying on top of pebbles which have a groud covering underneath so I can wedge them in a bit then fill them up. Oohh, looking forward to doing that now. Thanks both, great idea!

[Canary42]

Try a soapbox