Patio Design and Installation in Norfolk and Suffolk
Natural stone and porcelain patios, built to last across Norfolk and Suffolk
Hilton & Green Landscaping lays natural stone and porcelain patios across Norfolk and Suffolk, and Ben and Ed build every one themselves.
A patio laid properly should last 20 or 30 years with very little attention. Whether it does comes down to what is underneath. Every patio we lay starts with digging out to the right depth, a compacted hardcore sub-base and a properly prepared bed before a single slab goes down. It is the part you never see again, and the part that gets skimped when a price looks too good.
The big decision is usually porcelain or natural stone, and there is no single right answer. It depends on the style of the garden, how much upkeep you want and your budget. We talk both through at the first visit and bring samples, so you can see the finish in your own garden rather than in a brochure.
What's included
- Site excavation to correct depth
- Compacted hardcore sub-base
- Sharp sand or mortar bedding course
- Slab laying with proper falls for drainage
- Edge restraints
- Pointing with jointing compound or mortar
- Sealing advice for natural stone
- Waste removal
How we work
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Site assessment
We check levels, drainage routes, any underground services and access for machinery. We agree the exact footprint and falls.
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Excavation and sub-base
We excavate to the correct depth for the slab thickness plus sub-base and bedding course, then compact thoroughly.
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Laying course
We prepare a sharp sand or full mortar bed depending on the slab type. Porcelain requires a full mortar bed; natural stone can go on sharp sand with mortar spot.
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Slab installation
Slabs are laid to the agreed pattern with consistent joint gaps and proper falls away from the house.
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Pointing and finishing
We use flexible jointing compound for porcelain and traditional mortar for natural stone. We clean the surface and remove all waste before we leave.
Porcelain or natural stone
Porcelain is the most popular choice at the moment. It is very hard, barely absorbs water, does not stain easily and comes in a wide range of sizes and finishes, including convincing stone and wood effects. It has to be cut with a diamond blade and laid on a full mortar bed, which adds to the laying cost.
Natural sandstone is warmer and more traditional, and every slab is slightly different in colour and texture. It is usually sealed once it has dried out after laying, and the joints will want repointing over the years as the mortar weathers. Slate and granite suit some houses well too.
Norfolk winters are not severe, but we do get hard frosts. Porcelain copes well. Some cheap imported sandstone does not, so we are careful where natural stone comes from and will tell you if we think a product is not up to it.
What affects the cost of a patio
Size is the obvious one, but the slab matters almost as much. Porcelain costs more to buy and to lay than most sandstone, and large-format slabs take more handling and more cutting. A random pattern with mixed sizes means more cuts than a single size laid in rows.
Then there is what has to come out first. Breaking up an old patio, digging down to bring the levels right against the house, and taking the spoil away can be a fair share of the job. Access counts: if everything has to be barrowed through a side gate or the house, it takes longer. Steps, low walls, raised edges and drainage channels are all extras on top of the paved area itself.
We price every job after seeing it, and the visit and quote are free.
Levels, drainage and permission
A patio should fall away from the house so water runs off, and the finished surface needs to sit at least 150mm below the damp-proof course. Laying a new patio on top of an old one is how people end up above that line, with damp inside the wall a year later.
A ground-level patio in a back garden needs no planning permission. A patio or deck raised more than 30cm off the ground does. In a front garden, paving more than 5 square metres needs permission unless it is permeable or drains onto a lawn or border. At a listed building, check with the council first.
Common questions
Have a question not answered here? Get in touch and we will be happy to help.
Porcelain or natural stone: which is better?
Neither is better for every garden. Porcelain is harder wearing, barely stains and needs almost no upkeep; sandstone is warmer and each slab is different, but it wants sealing and repointing over time. We bring samples of both.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
A standard patio usually takes a few days to a week, depending on the size and how much digging out is needed. You get a timescale with the quote.
Can you lay a new patio over the old one?
We do not recommend it. It raises the level towards the damp-proof course and the new slabs inherit whatever is wrong with the old base. We lift the old patio and start again from a proper sub-base.
Which way should a patio fall?
Away from the house, steeply enough that water runs off rather than sitting, and with the surface at least 150mm below the damp-proof course.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Not for a ground-level patio in a back garden. You do for one raised more than 30cm, and for non-permeable paving over 5 square metres in a front garden.
Does a patio need sealing?
Sandstone is usually sealed once it has dried out after laying, which helps with staining and algae. Porcelain does not need sealing.
Get a free patio quote
Free, no-obligation quotes. We cover Norfolk and Suffolk.
In our customers' words
Genuine reviews from clients across Norfolk and Suffolk
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★★★★★
Ben and Ed at Hilton & Green have done amazing and difficult landscaping jobs for me in the past few years, from erecting a fence close to the house in a challenging setting, to a transformational soft landscaping project at the rear of the sloping garden. The guys are very professional and the results are stunning. I highly recommend Hilton & Green for your landscaping requirements.
George Smithon Google
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★★★★★
Hilton and Green Landscaping have done wonders to our driveway and fencing. Their work is competent and professional. They are both very friendly and knowledgeable in how to make your ideas practical.
Scott Leamonon Google
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★★★★★
We are so pleased we found Ben and Edd to put in our new patio. They have done an awesome job. They are two of the nicest people we have met and their work is exemplary. From start to finish the guys were brilliant at their work and the end result is awesome. Would highly recommend Hilton and Green to everyone. Two thumbs up for excellent work!
Su Eyleson Google
We lay patios across Norfolk and Suffolk. Most of our work is in and around Norwich, Long Stratton, Diss and Wymondham, and we travel further for the right job.