Best Type of Paving For Patio?

CityTiger

What are peoples thoughts for the best type of paving to use for a patio?

We are getting quotes at the moment and most people are mentioning Indian Sandstone, although I must admit I prefer the look of slate even though it's a little more expensive.

I've heard Indian Sandstone is very porous and because it's softer it's more prone to damage. However, I've also heard slate tends to scratch quite easily.

The patio will be in a south facing garden so will be subject to a lot of strong sunlight on top of the usual British rain, frost and snow.

Any thoughts as to which type would be best, open to considering anything but do generally prefer darker, more contemporary looking paving.

EssexExile

Don't forget that however wonderful & pristine it looks when newly laid, it won't look like that for ever. My own view - textured concrete slabs. A fraction of the price & more practical.

Chrishazle

Stay away from riven slabs - the variable "height" makes them difficult to lay with a consistent and accurate fall, we have a couple of places where water pools on our patio as a result! Also consider the effect of pressure washing - which will be necessary once or twice a year - on softer sandstone compared to slate.

Neighbour had his driveway done with a coloured and patterned concrete a few years ago (laid as a single slab of concrete then patterned and coloured while still not set), still looks excellent - and hasn't been pressure washed either!

CityTiger

Chrishazle wrote: »

Also consider the effect of pressure washing - which will be necessary once or twice a year - on softer sandstone compared to slate.

Thanks, you mean slate is better for pressure washing that sandstone?

Neighbour had his driveway done with a coloured and patterned concrete a few years ago (laid as a single slab of concrete then patterned and coloured while still not set), still looks excellent - and hasn't been pressure washed either!

I think you are referring to imprinted concrete here? If so, we used to have that at our old house and I would never have it again, especially not on a south facing patio. Over time the concrete fades and cracks unless treated once a year with some pretty nasty chemicals to recoat it. You also cannot use gritting salt on it as it eats away the protective coating, not that that's a major issue on a rear garden patio that won't be used in the ice and snow but still, I decided I would never have imprinted concrete again after that! It can also create additional problems with surface run-off unless adequate drainage is installed.

TheCyclingProgrammer

We're having our garden redone later this year so watching this thread with interest. I really like the look of slate but if it scratches easily that might rule it out. I love the look of granite but its expensive!

Anyone got any views/experience on vitrified paving?

http://www.marshalls.co.uk/homeowners/garden-paving/vitrified-paving

CityTiger

Yeah granite is expensive, and I'm also assuming granite will be more expensive in labour too due to the heavier stone and hardness to cut to size.

Vitrified paving looks interesting, so rather than helping narrow down my list of 2 choices to 1, you have just grown my shortlist from 2 to 3! haha

TheCyclingProgrammer

CityTiger wrote: »

Vitrified paving looks interesting, so rather than helping narrow down my list of 2 choices to 1, you have just grown my shortlist from 2 to 3! haha

Sorry about that!

We don't even have a garden design yet so I've not spent too much time myself looking at materials, but we're on a budget!

CityTiger

Vitrified looks like it might be quite expensive too although if it's worth it I don't mind paying a bit more. I'd rather pay an extra £500 now then regret it later!

TheCyclingProgrammer

CityTiger wrote: »

Vitrified looks like it might be quite expensive too although if it's worth it I don't mind paying a bit more. I'd rather pay an extra £500 now then regret it later!

That's my thought. I want something that's going to last and is low maintenance.

PasturesNew

My parents had slate pathways in their garden - I found them LETHAL in the wet. I'd put my foot down and it'd shoot off the slate... if I owned something like that I'd bet on a broken leg within 2-3 years.

GDB2222

We have york stone. I guess it's been down for decades. It looks okay to me - quite "rural".

Our drive is patterned concrete that must have been done thirty years ago. The colouring has long since gone. Fortunately, we don't pressure wash it, so it's nice and dirty-looking. If we cleaned it, it would just be concrete coloured.