Resin Patios
Resin bound patios are permeable, so rain drains straight through.
Patio Installation Specialists
Patios Sheffield
For new patios in Sheffield, get the groundworks experts involved: Indian stone, porcelain, resin and more laid on a properly prepared base.
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- 50+ five-star reviews
- £2m+ in projects delivered
- Fully insured
- Free quotes
- Built on a proper base Ground preparation decides how long a patio lasts
- Every material Indian stone, porcelain, slate, granite, marble and more
- Falls away from the house A slight slope so rain runs off the patio
Ground Preparation First
Garden Paving Sheffield
The principles of resurfacing any ground are pretty similar, so whether we are installing a new driveway or garden paving, we take similar steps and care in the work we do. The main difference when using a professional company to carry out a paving or patio project is the attention to the ground preparation beneath the top layer, the impact this will have on the longevity and performance of your garden paving and, importantly, what will happen when it rains.
We’ve had many instances where we have replaced an existing patio which has cracked in numerous places, with weeds coming up between paving stones and puddles forming stagnant pools of water after a bout of rain. All of these are indicators that the patio has not been laid correctly, and the main reason is that shortcuts were taken in getting the sub-base set properly.
To avoid these issues, simply get in touch for a quote and we can send in our patio layers to do a great job for you.
Start to Finish
A Back Garden Patio in Birley
From bare ground to a finished patio, a back garden job in Birley, Sheffield.
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Start of patio buildThe ground is prepared and levelled before the first slab goes down.
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Patio getting biggerSlabs are laid out from the first row, checked for level as they go.
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Patio all laid downThe full patio is down, jointed and edged into the lawn.
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Finishing touchesFinishing touches to make the patio complete, ready to use.
Planning Your Patio
Patio Sheffield
There are a number of decisions to make when deciding on a patio, and they can make a big impact on how you end up using and enjoying your outdoor space. Clearly you will need to consider the overall size of your patio. This may sound a straightforward aspect to decide on, but it can become a more complex decision-making process, especially if you have a sloping garden.
For instance, will you simply want one continuous section of paving making up your patio, or will you want a couple of stepped sections? Will you want these stepped sections, or platforms, next to each other requiring steps, or a path leading from one section to the other?
How will you want your patio edged off? Will you want it to go as far as possible up to your house or fence, or to run up to your lawn, artificial lawn or borders? Perhaps some gravel sections will create more visual depth in your garden, providing a mix of colours and textures. Will you want to raise your borders with sleepers, or a small wall allowing for a botanical surround to your patio?
We also install fencing alongside patios and driveways, so find out more about our fencing service too.
Choosing Materials
Patio Laying Sheffield
As we’ve discussed, some thought needs to be put into the size and positioning of your patio and how it will be finished off or enclosed. However, the choices of materials, colours, shapes, textures and sizes can be vast, and you could be a little overwhelmed by the amount of options available. This is when budget will play a part in helping narrow down some of the options, but having a good visual idea, perhaps at least of the colour palette, is an excellent start point. So let’s provide a little background to some of the paving stone options you have for when patio laying commences.
Concrete Slabs or Flagstones
These will typically be the cheapest option, as they are man-made. Essentially they are made using a mixture of cement, sand and aggregate, so they are ideal for getting your patio laid or allowing your budget to stretch to cover a larger area. As they are made, sometimes they will not be the most robust of slabs, especially if you really go for the budget options, as they will have more aggregate, which makes the slabs a little weaker. However, with the addition of dyes they are available in a variety of colours and textured finishes, and if laid on a good foundation they should provide an excellent patio for a good number of years.
Limestone Patio Paving
This is the first of numerous natural paving stones which can be used for pathways and patios. Limestone paving is one of the lower-cost options, and one of the reasons is that it will need sealing to prevent its colour from fading. Another aspect to be aware of is that it will be damaged if you attempt to clean off any stains with an acid-based cleaner. Whilst there are fewer and fewer of these around, it is very easy to grab any cleaning product and think it will be suitable, especially for an outdoor paving slab. It does provide a natural textured finish which is very pleasant to the eye.
Indian Stone Patios
This is being used more and more for driveways but is a superb choice for patios and back garden paving. Whilst more expensive than flagstones, it is competitively priced, and it’s worth remembering that it is a superior natural sandstone product. Since Indian stone contains feldspar and quartz, the stone is very durable and weather resistant. As a natural stone, no two stones will be identical, which again provides a more natural finish. Talking of finishes, the other quality of Indian stone is that it shouldn’t need sealing, which is one of the reasons it has become popular for driveways: a strong, low-maintenance option which looks fantastic. More and more Indian sandstone options are becoming available, even smooth buff finishes which you would associate with marble or porcelain, so this really is an excellent paving and patio stone.
Slate and Granite Paving for Patios
Similar to Indian stone, slate and granite are natural materials with strong, low-maintenance finishes. Since they are naturally occurring, they are limited in terms of colour options, so unless you have your heart set on dark charcoal, grey or purple, this may not be an option for you. However, if this is in your colour palette, then they are definitely worth considering and can provide a modern feel to your garden.
Marble Patio Paving
Marble paving, as you would expect, will provide a smooth, shiny finish. As a result, marble paving gives you a great-looking patio which will get your friends and family commenting. As a natural imported material with limited sources from season to season, there may be limitations in the colour and style options available, though.
Porcelain Patio Paving
As porcelain paving has become more popular in the UK, the number of styles, colours and sizes has broadened. They look amazing, and since they are often laid very close to one another, they provide a feel of simply flowing from your indoor flooring to outdoors in a seamless fashion. Ideal for creating a contemporary outdoor setting. They are exceptionally strong and frost resistant, so will continue to look amazing for a long, long time!
Cobbled patio? Whilst this may not seem like the first choice for many people, having a cobbled patio that matches the cobblestones on a driveway can maintain tradition and keep a period property looking like a period property. The cobblestones used for a patio can vary immensely, and due to their irregular shape, more often than not they will be set in a cement mortar base, unlike block paving. If you want cobbled paving and a cobbled patio, just let us know, and see our cobbled and stone driveways for the stones we lay.
Recent Work
Patio Builders Sheffield
Our gallery has plenty more finished jobs.
Large or Small Gardens
Sheffield Patios
Since there is such a wide choice, please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss your paving and patio visions. Once we know what you’re after, we can then start the process of bringing your outdoor environment to life, so you can enjoy the great British outdoors in your own garden!
Small gardens
Whether you have a large garden or small garden, a paved area will allow you to enjoy your back garden space even when the weather hasn’t been so good, as you won’t be slipping or creating mud baths on your lawn. Having a patio area is ideal even for small gardens, as it will provide a dry, robust base on which to place tables and chairs, ideal for an entertaining area. Using various pot plants on patios can still let you experience a green, lush natural environment with a practical base.
Larger gardens
For larger gardens, even flat ones, you may want more than one patio section: one near the house and one a little further away, which may be in a sun trap at a different time of the day. This will let you take advantage of your outdoor space all day long, or simply provide a natural division of space for adults and children to enjoy their respective hobbies without disturbing each other.
Sloping gardens
If you do want a patio rather than decking, our expert diggers can move the earth for you and then construct a retaining wall which can be very decorative, providing interesting layers to your garden or a start point for a wider landscaping project.
Other Services
Complete Your Garden
Block Paving
Block paved patios, edging and driveways to match.
Garden and Retaining Walls
Raised beds, steps and retaining walls for sloping gardens.
Fencing
Timber, concrete and composite fencing around your patio.
Affiliated partners: for a stylish side gate from the front of your house to your patio, we recommend Composite Gates UK for composite gates in Sheffield as well.
Where We Work
Patios Across Sheffield
We lay patios and garden paving throughout Sheffield and South Yorkshire, including:
Free Quotes
Patio Builder Near Me
If you are looking for a patio builder near me in Sheffield, look no further. Contact us any time of the day or night through our contact form, or call 0114 551 7111.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Paving and Patio Questions
What is the cheapest paving finish?
If you choose simple concrete slabs, this would be the cheapest paving option. They are not particularly decorative and, as such, are mostly used to provide a solid base for sheds, so they are covered by the wooden structure. It makes sense to choose the cheapest option for such a purpose.
Are patios permeable?
Generally, no, which is why we will try to construct them with a slight slope away from your property if your patio starts right next to your house. If you choose a block paved patio then you will have permeability between the blocks.
A resin patio will also be permeable as long as it is resin bound rather than bonded. Most stone patios will have limited permeability, and the jointing between slabs will allow weeds and moss to form if it is not as non-permeable as possible.
If my patio needs sealing, how often should I do it?
Sealing is for non-permeable patios, as the sealer provides a defensive finish to your patio, so if a fluid is dropped onto its surface the sealer will postpone the ingress of the spilt liquid into the slabs, which would otherwise create irreversible discolouring.
Before applying a sealant, do make sure that the surface area is totally dry. If you treat your patio every 2–5 years you will reduce damage and staining, which will certainly preserve its great looks year after year.
Can patio slabs be painted?
The short answer is yes. However, if you are thinking of painting your patio rather than replacing it, you really should not try to do this on the cheap. High-quality acrylic-based paints would be best. However, you should be aware that to provide durability these paints will need to be applied thickly and in several coats with a brush or roller. Also, they should be left to dry naturally for a few days, so please check the forecast before embarking on this route.
The key is to manage your expectations: remember this is simply a coating and will be subjected to table and chair bumps and scrapes. It may provide a sticking-plaster approach to improving the look of your patio for a couple of seasons, but once the paint starts to chip away, it will chip away more and more. Once this happens, trying to overpaint again will not look great!
Can you lay paving slabs directly onto grass?
We wouldn’t. Slabs laid straight onto grass sink unevenly, rock underfoot and let grass and weeds grow up through the joints. A lasting patio needs the turf and topsoil removing and a compacted sub-base laying first, which is exactly where shortcuts are taken on the patios we are asked to replace.
