Patio Design: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the best patio material for durability and easy maintenance?

Porcelain paving gets top marks here as it has virtually zero porosity making it resistant to mould and algae. It's a very low maintenance option. Limestone paving is also durable, hard wearing and has a long-lasting surface which dries quickly when wet. Sandstone paving is durable and can withstand all weathers, although it does absorb more water than limestone and therefore will require greater attention with a good clean and a jet wash after winter. The frequency of cleaning will also depend on your garden’s orientation - for example, north facing gardens will tend to need more attention than west or south facing gardens - areas which do not receive much sunlight will see greater mould growth.

Q: Can you lay a patio on top of an existing patio?

We would not recommend this unless the ground underneath has been properly excavated previously with a suitable hard subbase already in place. At ALDA no corners are cut and we lay all our paving on a bed of sharp sand and cement semi dry mix, underneath which we have already laid a hard subbase of MOT type one recycled crushed concrete scalpings. The paving is then pointed in using a sealant such as Rompox.

At this time of year, we have a stream of enquiries flooding in! We get lots of questions about paving and patios; this post provides answers to some of the most frequently asked...

04/03/2021 Plan Your Garden, Patios

At this time of year with spring and summer on the horizon, we have a stream of enquiries flooding in and nearly all of them – whether the garden in question is small, medium or large – will feature paving and patio areas as crucial elements in the design.

Here’s our list of the most frequently asked questions on paving and patio design, followed by examples of different paving materials/colours (all ALDA gardens!). You might also like to read our Patio Design Guide – a comprehensive post on things to consider when designing a new patio.

What patio materials are on trend in 2021?

Currently most of our clients are choosing in order of preference porcelain, sandstone and limestone paving. Porcelain and limestone come in at a higher cost; if you’re looking to pay less, the ever-popular Sandstone is still an excellent choice.

Porcelain paving – best for a contemporary look, anti-slip tested, frost proof and comes in a wide variety of shades such as Coral, Silver, Biscuit and Iron.

Sandstone paving – comes in vintage which has a softer finish with rounded edges and corners to the stone and premium with a hand cut finish and rustic riven surface. The vintage Sandstone is more suited for older properties and cottage style gardens with its time worn appearance. There are also many shades to choose from and it is loved for its veining and tonal variations. Popular with our clients are the Raj Green, Buff and Light Grey colour choices.

Limestone paving – works well in contemporary gardens, and like the Porcelain paving is slip resistant with its natural textured surface. It comes in vintage and premium ranges like the Sandstone but has a less riven surface texture. The most popular colour choice with our clients is Antique Yellow.

What’s the best patio material for durability and easy maintenance?

Porcelain paving gets top marks here as it has virtually zero porosity making it resistant to mould and algae. It’s a very low maintenance option.

Limestone paving is also durable, hard wearing and has a long-lasting surface which dries quickly when wet.

Sandstone paving is durable and can withstand all weathers, although it does absorb more water than limestone and therefore will require greater attention with a good clean and a jet wash after winter. The frequency of cleaning will also depend on your garden’s orientation – for example, north facing gardens will tend to need more attention than west or south facing gardens – areas which do not receive much sunlight will see greater mould growth.

Where should I put my patio?

The most obvious space for a patio is along the back of your house. It makes life a whole lot easier when it comes to transporting food and drink to and from the kitchen! Many of our clients choose to extend their patio so that it wraps around the sites of their property – perhaps taking advantage of the sun or shade at different times of the day.

But there is often scope for locating the patio elsewhere. The area adjoining the house might not have the best aspect; patio areas situated mid-way or at the bottom of the garden will offer alternative views over the garden and up towards the house. Remember a patio is usually somewhere for sitting/eating/socialising! Privacy is a consideration too. If you have a north facing garden it is likely that the bottom part of your garden will make the best place to position a patio area where you will be able to make the most of the sun.

Even if you do decide to situate your patio adjoining the house, it’s often rather nice to have an additional, smaller patio and/or seating areas around the garden – the latter need only be large enough to house a chair or bench! These can add interest and a sense of flow to the garden, and will often mean that the garden is better utilised. Most of our clients like to have somewhere (west facing) to sit in the sun on a summer’s evening for a quiet drink at the end of the working day. You might also want somewhere to enjoy breakfast or a morning coffee.

When considering a new patio, it is important to decide how you want your garden to work for you and your family and this is always a starting point for discussion with our designer Katie Thomas on her first visit. If your priority and interests lie more with the planting and you require more space for borders and lawn, we’ll lean towards a design where the paving does not take up too much valuable garden space! If your preference is for entertaining, we’ll create a space which incorporates a larger patio and perhaps several paved seating areas throughout the garden, with enough room to accommodate all your garden furniture. The important thing is that it works for you!

See also our Patio Design Guide.

Can you lay a patio on top of an existing patio?

We would not recommend this unless the ground underneath has been properly excavated previously with a suitable hard subbase already in place. At ALDA no corners are cut and we lay all our paving on a bed of sharp sand and cement semi dry mix, underneath which we have already laid a hard subbase of MOT type one recycled crushed concrete scalpings. The paving is then pointed in using a sealant such as Rompox.

Do you need drainage for a patio?

Normally, a well laid patio will have a slight fall (slope) away from the house, to ensure that water drains away and onto the lawn/flower beds. At ALDA we will always excavate the ground and check levels to ensure the correct fall. If your patio finishes against a retaining wall or raised bed, or is flush to bi-fold doors, extra drainage will be required – normally channel slot drains.

Where can I view paving options in Berkshire/Oxfordshire?

We would highly recommend a visit to Nigel Belcher Turf and Paving, our main supplier of paving. Based in Curridge, near Thatcham, Berkshire, Nigel has a wide range of paving materials on display at his showroom. Call 01635 202700 or visit nigelbelcherturf.co.uk

Paving Materials & Colours

Porcelain | Limestone | Sandstone | Paving Drainage

Below you’ll find a selection of photos of patios we’ve installed in different materials/colour combinations. You can see a lot of these on display at Nigel Belcher’s Curridge (Thatcham, Berkshire) showroom. Call 01635 202700 or visit nigelbelcherturf.co.uk.

Patio Design: Frequently Asked Questions

Paving Materials & Colours

Porcelain Paving Photos

Limestone Paving Photos

Sandstone Paving Photos

Paving Drainage Photos

Like what you see?