Slab options
- Plain concrete slabs. Square-edged slabs in grey or buff. The cheapest way to a solid patio, and handy for a bin area, a shed base or a greenhouse.
- Textured and riven concrete. Cast to look like split stone, in mixed sizes and colours. A good halfway house between budget and natural stone.
- Smooth and stone-effect concrete. Clean, modern slabs with crisp edges, often large format.
- Natural stone. Indian sandstone, limestone, slate and granite, each with its own look and laying needs.
- Porcelain. A different product altogether. See porcelain patios.
You can mix slab sizes in a pattern or run one large size in straight lines. We can dry-lay a few options so you can see them before anything is fixed.
What makes a slab patio last
Slabs rarely fail. What fails is what is under them. Rocking slabs, joints opening up, a puddle by the back door and weeds through every gap are all signs of a rushed base. Getting it right comes down to a few basics:
- Dig out enough to fit a proper sub-base. Clay ground, common in Hartlepool, needs particular care.
- A crushed-stone sub-base, laid in layers and compacted.
- A full mortar bed under every slab, not five dabs.
- A fall so rain runs off, away from the house and towards the garden or a gully.
- A finished level comfortably below the damp-proof course, usually two brick courses under it.
- Joints that stay put, filled with mortar or a jointing compound that suits the slab and stands up to wind-driven rain.
Enclosed gardens and courtyards
Walled gardens and courtyards, common behind Hartlepool's older houses, are often paved edge to edge. They need a fall to a gully or drain so water does not sit against the house or under the back door, and access through a side or rear gate affects how materials and spoil are moved. We'll look at both during the visit.
Paths, steps and walls alongside
A new slab patio often goes in with a path to the shed or gate, a step or two where the garden falls away, or a low wall or raised bed along the edge. Quoting it together usually works out better than doing it bit by bit.
Questions people ask
What size slab is best?
It depends on the space. Big slabs mean fewer joints and a cleaner, modern look. Mixed sizes suit riven and natural finishes. Very large slabs can look out of proportion in a small yard.
Can slabs just be laid on sand?
It is a common shortcut and it does not last: slabs move, sink and let weeds through. For a patio that stays put, slabs need bedding on mortar over a compacted sub-base.
Can my old slabs be re-used?
Often, if they are in good shape. They can be lifted, cleaned and re-laid on a new base. A few usually break, so keep some spares if you have them.
How much does a slab patio cost?
It depends on the size, the slabs and the groundwork. See what affects the price or ask for a free quote.