The main types of patios
Patios are an extension of your home: just outside! As extra living space, patios can serve a multitude of purposes: hosting family barbecues in the summer, al fresco dining, or even just a place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
However, the longevity of your patio is heavily dependent on the type of material you use. It shapes how your home looks and, of course, how much it costs.
At Ovation Landscaping, we specialise in high-quality porcelain, concrete, and natural stone paving for landscapers of all budgets. When you’re weighing up different types of patios, use this guide as your go-to overview of the most popular surface materials.
Key things to consider before you pick a patio type
Before you fall in love with a particular paving, it’s worth pausing to think about how the patio will really work day to day:
- How you’ll use it: Day-to-day, will your patio see a lot of heavy use (regular foot traffic) or will it mainly be used for occasional entertaining?
- Maintenance level: Some surfaces, like porcelain, are designed to be low-maintenance and are more forgiving of stains. Others (including timber decking and some natural stones) may need more regular sealing.
- Style of your home and garden: Rustic/period homes often suit softer, warm finishes, whereas homes with minimalist architecture work well with materials like porcelain.
- Budget/lifespan: There are types of patios, such as basic concrete or gravel, which are more affordable initially, and then there are porcelain and higher-quality natural stone that will last longer and look better. You’ll need to decide how to balance budget and lifespan.
1. Porcelain paving patios
Porcelain paving is a man-made, vitrified tile made from refined clays that are pressed and then fired at very high temperatures. At the end of the process, you get a dense, non-porous slab with extremely low water absorption.
It’s also designed to resist stains and frost, which, for busy families, is a big win: porcelain requires minimal upkeep. Paving slabs such as our Porcelain Paving ADZ Eddystone are also highly resistant to scratches, mould, and algae.
Many of our ranges come with R11 anti-slip ratings, so they’re brilliant for use around pools (and in the UK’s changeable climate). We also offer quartz and wood-effect finishes for when your scheme calls for something more textured.
2. Natural stone patios
We love natural stone paving for its variation: tone and texture are a major draw, especially for the types of patios where you want the area to weather attractively over time (which it will, provided it’s looked after).
Natural stone patios are typically made of sandstone, limestone, slate, granite or traditional flagstones, each slab cut from real stone, so no two pieces are ever identical.
However, you might find that most natural stones are more porous than porcelain. As such, they are slightly more high-maintenance and may require additional sealing. Some types, such as softer sandstones, need a little extra care.
(You can find more of this rich colouring and texture by browsing our Indian sandstone paving range.)
2. Concrete slab patios
One of the best types of patios for busy gardens, broadly, you’ll see two main types of concrete slab patios: poured concrete, laid as a single slab, and manufactured concrete paving slabs.
Wet-cast slabs are created in moulds to achieve decorative, stone-effect textures, and pressed slabs give a more uniform finish with straight edges.
You get solid performance underfoot (at very competitive prices), but the trade-off is that basic concrete can look a little plain. Our cost-effective concrete block paving, however, comes in a range of beautiful colours and is equally suited for driveways.
3. Gravel and decorative aggregate patios
Decorative aggregate patios are a firm, compacted sub-base topped with decorative stone, often framed with paving to keep everything in place. It’s a looser alternative to solid paving and works particularly well in cottage-style gardens.
Like concrete, it’s one of the types of patios that’s better for those on a budget, plus, it has the advantage of being relatively quick to install (compared to laying full paving).
However, there are a few compromises to be aware of: as the surface is loose, gravel can move onto lawns or pathways. It may feel unsteady under garden furniture or items that require care, like prams and mobility aids.
Generally speaking, it might need occasional raking to level out (and periodic top-ups as stones get kicked away).
Choosing your patio type with Ovation Landscaping!
The best types of patios are the ones that are manageable for your budget and lifestyle. If you’re still unsure, weigh up the pros and cons of each, and be sure to source your materials from a top-quality paving slab supplier.
We have an extensive range of porcelain, concrete block, natural stone and Indian sandstone slabs, plus decorative aggregates for those more informal areas. Browse styles online: even order samples to see how they’d look in your own home!
Complete your patio project with Ovation Landscaping today.