Types of patio slab
- Plain concrete slabs. Square-edged utility slabs in grey or buff. The cheapest option and perfectly good for a practical patio, a bin area or a shed base.
- Textured and riven concrete. Cast to look like split stone, in mixed sizes and a range of colours. A sensible halfway house between budget and natural stone.
- Smooth and stone-effect concrete. Clean-edged modern slabs, often in large formats.
- Natural stone. Indian sandstone, limestone, slate and granite, each with its own look and laying needs.
- Porcelain. A different product with different rules. See porcelain patios.
Most slab patios use either a mix of sizes in a repeating pattern or one size in straight lines. We can dry-lay a few options so you can see them before anything is fixed.
Where slab patios go wrong
Slabs rarely fail on their own. It is what sits under them. Slabs that rock, joints that open, water lying by the back door and weeds within a year or two all point to a rushed base. The basics that prevent that:
- Digging out deep enough to fit a proper sub-base, and deeper on soft or clay ground.
- A compacted crushed-stone sub-base, built up and compacted in layers.
- A full mortar bed under each slab, not five spots.
- A fall so water runs off towards the lawn, a border or a drain, never back to the house.
- A finished level comfortably below the damp-proof course, usually at least two brick courses below the DPC line.
- Joints filled well, with mortar or a compound suited to the slab. In an exposed garden, wind-blown seeds find any gap.
Slabs that look the part
Good-quality textured and stone-effect slabs, laid to tight lines with neat cuts and clean joints, can look every bit as smart as natural stone. A common job around Redcar, Marske and New Marske is replacing a small or tired patio with a larger, properly laid one that suits how the garden is used. The same slabs can run on into a path to the shed or back gate, with steps where the garden changes level and a low wall to finish the edge. Pricing it all as one job usually works out better than doing it bit by bit.
Questions people ask
What size slab works best?
Large slabs look clean and modern with fewer joints. Mixed sizes suit riven and natural finishes. On a small terrace yard, very large slabs can look out of scale, so think about the size of the space.
Can slabs be laid on sand?
It is a common shortcut, and slabs laid that way tend to move, sink and grow weeds. For a patio that lasts, they should be bedded on mortar over a compacted sub-base.
Can my old slabs be re-used?
Sometimes. Sound slabs can be lifted, cleaned and re-laid on a new base, though a few usually break, so keep some spares. See patio relaying and repairs.
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.
