Patios
Patios laid on a proper sub-base with the correct falls, so they drain away from the house and stay flat.
A patio is mostly what you cannot see. A compacted sub-base of the right depth, a full mortar bed rather than five blobs, and a fall that takes water away from the building are what separate a patio that lasts from one that rocks and stains within two winters.
We lay porcelain, natural stone, sandstone and block paving, and we will talk through how each behaves underfoot in wet weather before you choose. Some very smooth porcelains are slippery in shade; some sandstones stain.
Patio work is often combined with drainage or steps, and it is usually cheaper to do those together than to return and lift the paving later.
What this includes
- Porcelain, natural stone and sandstone paving
- Block paving
- Full sub-base preparation and compaction
- Correct falls and surface drainage
- Jointing, pointing and sealing
Common questions
- Do I need planning permission for a patio?
- Usually not for a garden patio, though replacing a large area with a non-permeable surface can require it in some circumstances. We will flag it if your job looks like one of them.
- Why has my existing patio sunk?
- Almost always an inadequate sub-base, spot-bedded slabs, or water running under the paving. All three are fixable, but they need lifting and relaying rather than patching.
Thinking about patios?
Send a few photos and we will tell you what is involved. We cover Essex and London.
Get a quote