The main types of patio slab
- Concrete utility slabs. Plain, square-edged slabs, usually in grey or buff. The most affordable option and ideal for a practical patio, a bin store or a base for a shed or greenhouse.
- Textured and riven concrete. Cast to look like split stone, in a range of colours and mixed sizes. A good middle ground between budget and natural stone.
- Stone-effect and smooth concrete. Crisp, modern slabs with tight edges, often in large formats.
- Natural stone. Indian sandstone, limestone, slate and granite each have their own look and laying needs.
- Porcelain. A different product again. See porcelain patios.
Most patios use a mix of slab sizes laid in a pattern, or one large format in straight lines. We can lay out a few options for you before anything is fixed down.
What separates a good slab patio from a bad one
Slabs do not fail on their own. Patios fail because of what is underneath. The tell-tale signs of a rushed job are slabs that rock, joints that open up, puddles that sit near the house and weeds pushing through within a year or two. Avoiding that comes down to a few basics:
- Proper excavation, so there is room for a sub-base. Middlesbrough's clay soils need particular care here.
- A compacted crushed-stone sub-base, laid in layers and compacted.
- A full mortar bed under every slab, not five spots of mortar.
- A fall of a little each metre so rainwater runs off, away from the house and towards the garden or a drain.
- A finished level comfortably below the damp-proof course, which is usually two brick courses down from the line in the wall.
- Well-filled joints, with mortar or a jointing compound suited to the slab.
Patios with paths, steps and walls
A slab patio is often part of a bigger change to the garden. The same slabs can run into a path to the shed or gate, steps can deal with a slope, and a low garden wall or raised bed can finish the edge. Pricing it as one job usually works out better than doing it in stages.
Questions people ask
What size slabs are best for a patio?
There is no single answer. Larger slabs give a cleaner, more modern look with fewer joints. Mixed sizes suit natural and riven finishes. Think about the size of the space: very large slabs can look out of scale on a small terrace yard.
Can slabs be laid on sand?
Laying slabs on sand alone is a common shortcut, and they tend to move, sink and let weeds through. For a patio that lasts, slabs should be bedded on mortar over a compacted sub-base.
Can you re-lay my existing slabs?
Often, yes. If the slabs are sound, they can be lifted, cleaned and re-laid on a new base. Some will usually break in the process, so it is worth keeping a few spares. See patio relaying and repairs.
How much does a slab patio cost?
It depends on the size, the slabs you choose and the groundwork. See what affects the price or ask for a free quote.
