New patios, laid to last
A patio that still looks right in ten years is mostly about the bit nobody sees. The ground is dug out, a compacted stone sub-base goes in, and every slab is bedded on mortar with a gentle fall so rainwater runs off and away from the house. Skip any of that and you get rocking slabs, puddles by the back door and weeds through every joint by the second summer.
Around Middlesbrough that matters more than most places. A lot of the town sits on heavy clay that stays wet after rain, so we dig a little deeper, keep the finished level safely below your damp-proof course and think about where the water will go before a single slab goes down.
Whatever the material, the job runs in the same order:
- Measure up and agree the layout. Size, shape, levels against the house, and where steps, drains and manhole covers sit.
- Dig out and build the base. Turf, soil or old slabs out, then a compacted crushed-stone sub-base.
- Lay and point. Slabs bedded on mortar to the agreed fall, cut neatly around edges, then jointed.
- Clean down and hand over. Including when it is fine to walk on and when you can put the furniture back.
Which patio suits your garden?
- Porcelain patios: crisp, modern and very low maintenance. Hardly stains, keeps its colour and wipes clean.
- Indian sandstone patios: natural stone with a riven texture and warm, varied colours. The most popular natural stone in the UK.
- Patio slabs and paving: concrete and textured slabs, from budget-friendly utility paving to stone-effect ranges.
- Resin patios and paths: a smooth, seamless, porous finish with no joints for weeds.
Not sure yet? Tell us how you use the garden, whether it gets the sun, how much upkeep you will put up with and roughly what you want to spend, and we'll talk you through the options when we come out to measure up.
Example: a porcelain patio going down
More than patios
A patio rarely stands on its own. Most gardens also need a way to get to it, a change in level dealt with, or an edge to finish it off:
- Garden paths and steps to link the back door, the patio, the shed and the gate, with steps where the garden slopes.
- Garden walls, from low brick walls and raised beds to retaining walls that hold back a sloping lawn.
Why choose Middlesbrough Patios
- Free quotes, no obligation. We'll come out, measure up and give you a quote and you decide in your own time.
- Local. Middlesbrough and its suburbs only, from Linthorpe and Acklam to Marton, Nunthorpe and Coulby Newham. See areas we cover.
- Straight answers on price. There is no one-size price list for patios, so we explain what affects the cost and we'll give you a proper figure for your own garden.
- Built for clay ground. Patios, paths, steps and garden walls laid on a compacted sub-base with a fall away from the house, because so much of Middlesbrough sits on heavy clay.
Questions people ask
Do I need planning permission for a patio in Middlesbrough?
Usually not. A patio laid at or close to ground level in a back garden is normally permitted development. Raised patios or platforms more than 30cm above the ground need planning permission, and listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules, so check with Middlesbrough Council if either applies.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
It depends on the size, the material and how much digging out there is. A small, straightforward patio can take a few days; a large patio with steps or walls takes longer. We'll give you a timescale with your quote.
Can a new patio go over my old one?
Sometimes, but it is rarely the best idea. Laying over old slabs raises the level, often too close to the damp-proof course, and copies any movement in the old base. We usually lift the old patio and start with a fresh sub-base.
How do I get a quote?
Fill in the quote form with a few details and your postcode. We'll get in touch to talk it through and arrange a visit to measure up. The quote is free.