How to build a patio: materials, costs and method

A patio: the heart of your garden

Ask ten garden owners what matters most, and nine say the patio. Makes sense — it's where you eat, barbecue, read and doze. A good patio extends your living space the moment temperatures rise above 15 degrees. Honestly, even at 12 degrees with a blanket.

Tools like GardenWorld let you visualise a new patio in your garden before committing to materials. It prevents that sinking feeling when the slabs arrive and look nothing like you imagined.

Materials compared

Porcelain paving

The new gold standard. Porcelain is scratch-resistant, colour-fast, frost-proof and barely porous. No green algae, no staining. Downsides: price (£55–110/m² excluding labour) and brittleness under point loads. Lay on pedestals or a well-compacted base.

Concrete slabs

The budget-friendly option. Modern concrete slabs look far better than the grey ones from two decades ago. Budget £20–45/m² laid. They can discolour and develop algae after a few years.

Timber decking

Warm, natural and lovely underfoot. Hardwoods like ipe or cedar are the popular choices. Expect £75–120/m² including subframe. Downside: annual oiling and replacement after 15–20 years.

Composite decking

Looks like wood but needs zero maintenance. The latest generation is nearly indistinguishable from real timber. Price: £65–110/m². Visit RHS partner gardens to see samples in situ.

Position and size

Put your patio where the sun is — not necessarily against the house. If the sunniest corner is halfway down the garden, consider a freestanding patio with a path leading to it. Unconventional, but you gain hours of sunshine.

How big should it be?

• Dining for 4: at least 3 x 3 m
• Dining for 6: at least 3.5 x 4 m
• Dining + lounge: at least 4 x 6 m

Don't forget clearance around furniture. You want to push your chair back without landing in a border.

Step-by-step construction

1. Mark the area with pegs and string
2. Excavate to 25 cm depth (slabs) or 15 cm (decking on frame)
3. Compact the subsoil with a plate compactor
4. Lay sub-base: 15 cm Type 1 MOT, compact again
5. Spread sharp sand: 3–5 cm, screeded level
6. Lay the slabs with 3 mm joints, checking fall (1–2% away from the house)
7. Fill joints with polymeric jointing sand

Fall: non-negotiable

Water must drain away from the house towards the garden. 1 cm per metre is enough. Without proper fall you get puddles and potential damp problems on the house wall.

Cost overview

Add excavation (£12–20/m²), sub-base (£8–18/m²) and edging costs on top.

Curious what a new patio would look like in your garden? Upload your photo on GardenWorld and get a custom design within a minute.