Patios
A well thought out patio is a wonderful addition to your garden and an opportunity to extend your living space into the open, where you can relax and enjoy being outdoors in the privacy and seclusion of your own garden.

When planning a new patio there are lots of things that should be considered and with our experience and design expertise we can help you make the right decisions.

Where to site your patio?
Immediately at the rear of your property is a most popular position but not always the best if it's sunshine you want. Depending on the direction your garden faces you might consider an alternative area where the sun shines for more of the day.

What size should your patio be?
Often available space will determine this for you but you need to be sure you can accommodate dining table and chairs, sun loungers, barbecue facilities etc, if these are what you want.

You might also consider for installation now, or at a later stage, accessories such as outdoor lighting or a covered area, maybe with some form of heating, which can extend by weeks the time in a year you are able to use your patio.

Having decided the location and size for your patio, the next consideration will be the construction and materials to be used. The ground will need to be levelled and a solid foundation of compacted hardcore constructed on which the paving is to be laid. Falls and drainage are very important and we will ensure surface water will effectively run off and away from your patio.

In order to achieve a level surface on sloping ground some form of retaining wall may be required
and these can be constructed using stone, brick or heavy timber (sleepers) or any combination of these materials. An attractive feature can be made of this and further enhanced with steps built with similar materials to provide access between two levels.

Then you need to consider the materials with which your patio is to be constructed.
Traditional stone like granite, slate and limestone are very durable and will provide a pleasing and lasting surface for very many years. They are, however, expensive and these days imported stone products, particularly sandstone from India, are the more popular choice. These are available in a range of different colours, sizes and shapes and can be laid in a number of different patterns. We can show you different configurations for you to choose the preferred layout for your patio.

You may consider adding a circular feature (rotunda) within your patio layout or possibly using some other materials such as cobble stones to add further character and distinction.

Colour variations are a feature of natural stone paving and these add character and enhance the appearance of your patio.

There are less expensive options using pressed concrete slabs or manufactured blocks, of which there are many types, sizes and colours available.

We can show you samples of the different materials for you to select the product that is right for you and with so much choice, we can help with your selection, drawing your attention to the relative benefits in terms of cost, durability and appearance of these products.

We will discuss your ideas and all the options with you to ensure you end up with the perfect patio for you!