Patios, driveways & garden paths
Materials & finishes
External works only look good long-term when the build-up is correct and the finish is detailed properly. This guide covers the materials and systems we use — paving, resin-bound, edging, drainage, jointing and protection — so you can make confident decisions without guesswork.
Groundworks, sub-base & levels
A long-lasting patio, path or driveway starts below the surface. We build the correct dig depth, sub-base and levels for the intended use — so it stays stable, drains properly, and looks right long-term.
- •Correct excavation depth for pedestrian or vehicle loads
- •MOT Type 1 sub-base with proper compaction layers
- •Set levels and falls to avoid standing water
- •Edge restraints and thresholds planned from day one
Excavation & spoil removal
Dig depth set to suit the finish and intended loading.
MOT Type 1 sub-base
Layered, compacted base to prevent movement and sinking.
Geotextile membranes (where needed)
Separates ground and sub-base to reduce mixing and soft spots.
Compaction & consolidation
The difference between a surface that lasts and one that rocks.
Setting-out & levels
Clean lines and correct heights before any laying begins.
Falls away from the property
Water management designed into the layout, not patched later.
Drainage, channels & permeable options
External works must deal with water properly. We design falls, drainage and (where suitable) permeable build-ups to keep surfaces usable, protect the property, and reduce maintenance issues.
- •Falls, run-off control and practical surface drainage
- •Channel drains where required (tidy and serviceable)
- •Permeable options for suitable sites and layouts
- •Soakaway and dispersal solutions (site dependent)
Surface falls & water direction
Designed to move water safely without harsh slopes.
Channel drains
Discrete drainage at doors, garages and low points.
Permeable sub-base build-ups
Correct layering to support permeable surfaces.
Soakaway solutions (where suitable)
Helps manage run-off depending on ground conditions.
Rodding access & maintainability
Drainage that can be serviced, not hidden and forgotten.
Detailing at thresholds
Prevents water tracking back towards entrances.
Paving materials (patios & paths)
Porcelain, natural stone, slate, concrete and granite all have different performance and maintenance characteristics. We help you choose a surface that fits the look you want and the way you’ll actually use it.
- •Slip resistance, texture and practicality in wet weather
- •Material thickness suited to use and layout
- •Colour, variation and staining expectations explained clearly
- •Jointing method chosen to match the finish and upkeep
Porcelain paving
Crisp, modern look with low porosity and easy upkeep.
Natural sandstone
Warm, natural variation with a traditional feel.
Slate paving
Richer tones and texture — great for character and contrast.
Limestone / travertine (where suitable)
Style-led options that may need more care depending on finish.
Concrete flags
Cost-effective, practical paving with clean installation.
Granite setts & borders
Hard-wearing detailing that elevates the finish.
Resin-bound surfacing
Resin-bound creates a smooth, seamless finish that can run continuously across patios, paths and driveways. We help you choose the right aggregate blend, edging and base build-up so it looks sharp and performs properly.
- •Seamless, modern finish for drives, patios and paths
- •Aggregate blends for colour, contrast and detailing
- •Permeable performance when built on the correct base
- •Clean transitions, neat borders and crisp edge lines
Seamless surface runs
A continuous finish from start to end without joint lines.
Colour-mix blends
Blend aggregates to match the property or create contrast.
Borders and inlays
Define edges, zones or patterns with contrasting resin details.
Permeable resin-bound build-ups
Designed to allow water to pass through where suitable.
Base suitability planning
Correct base is critical — we design it around performance.
Edge restraint compatibility
Kerbs/edging planned to keep a crisp, durable perimeter.
Guided selection — not overwhelming choice
You don’t need to decide every finish detail upfront. We guide you through surface options, edging, drainage, and long-term maintenance during your consultation — based on how the space will be used, the look you want, and what will stay tidy over time.
Resin-bound is a great example: it can be used across driveways, patios and paths, blended for colour and contrast, and finished seamlessly from start to end — but it still depends on the correct base build-up and crisp edge detailing to perform properly.
Driveway surfaces (loading & finish)
Driveways need to handle vehicle weight, turning and edge forces without shifting. We guide you through surface options and build-ups so the driveway performs as well as it looks.
- •Designed for vehicle loading, turning and edge forces
- •Options for permeable driveways where appropriate
- •Finishes selected to match the style of the property
- •Restraints and edges planned to prevent creep
Block paving
Flexible, repairable surface with many pattern options.
Permeable block paving
Improves drainage where permeable systems are suitable.
Tarmac/asphalt
Clean, cost-effective driveway finish for larger areas.
Gravel + stabilisation (optional)
Traditional look with improved performance using grids.
Granite setts (details or full)
Premium finish and extremely hard-wearing.
Driveway thresholds & aprons
Neat transitions into public paths, gates and garages.
Edging, kerbs & restraints
Edging is both a design feature and a structural detail. The right restraints keep paving tight, define borders, and prevent long-term spreading and movement.
- •Prevents movement and keeps lines crisp over time
- •Raised or flush edging to suit the layout
- •Colour and texture matched to the main surface
- •Transitions into lawns, borders, gravel and drives
Concrete kerbs
Strong, reliable edging for paths and drives.
Granite kerbs & setts
Premium borders with excellent durability.
Brick edging
Traditional detail that works well with period properties.
Metal edging (modern)
Clean lines for contemporary landscapes.
Hidden restraints (where suitable)
Keeps focus on the surface while still holding it tight.
Steps and level transitions
Edges that stay safe and tidy at height changes.
Jointing, pointing & grouts
A great surface can be ruined by poor jointing. We choose methods that suit the material, help reduce weeds, and keep the finish looking sharp year after year.
- •Joint width and laying style planned correctly
- •Resin pointing options for reduced weed growth
- •Traditional mortar where suitable for the finish
- •Movement and cracking risk considered in the design
Resin pointing compounds
A clean finish with improved weed resistance.
Brush-in jointing systems
Good for certain applications with correct prep.
Traditional mortar pointing
Classic look where appropriate and correctly detailed.
Exterior-rated grouts (porcelain)
Chosen to match porcelain systems and exposure conditions.
Jointing colour choices
Subtle detail that can change the whole look.
Weed and washout prevention
Correct prep and method selection — not quick fixes.
Sealers, protection & maintenance
We’ll tell you what a surface needs to stay looking its best — and what it doesn’t. That means realistic expectations, simple maintenance, and the right protection where it adds value.
- •Sealing options for natural stone where beneficial
- •Stain resistance expectations explained clearly
- •Pressure washing guidance (do / don’t)
- •Seasonal algae and moss control planning
Natural stone sealers (optional)
Helps reduce staining and weathering depending on stone type.
Porcelain upkeep
Low porosity means simpler cleaning and fewer issues.
Algae/moss treatments
Keeps shaded or damp areas looking cleaner for longer.
Re-sanding block paving joints
Maintains stability and reduces movement over time.
Cleaning method selection
Right approach for the material to avoid damage.
Long-term finish planning
Choices made upfront reduce future work.
Steps, retaining & level changes
Most gardens aren’t perfectly flat. We design safe, comfortable transitions with tidy detailing — so level changes feel natural and the finished space flows properly.
- •Consistent risers and practical tread depths
- •Retaining solutions where needed to hold levels
- •Anti-slip details and safe edge visibility
- •Neat transitions between areas and surfaces
Stone step units
Solid, clean steps that match the main surface palette.
Block/sett step details
Strong edges with a traditional or premium finish.
Retaining wall blocks (where suitable)
Structured solutions for holding levels in tighter spaces.
Natural stone retaining
A softer, more organic look where it fits the design.
Safe nosings & edge details
Improves visibility and confidence, especially in winter.
Drainage at level changes
Stops water collecting at steps and transitions.
Gabions & retaining block systems
For larger gardens, sloped sites and commercial work, retaining systems need to be engineered and robust. We use gabions (stone cages) and modular block systems to create stable level changes, boundaries and raised areas — finished to suit the site and the overall design.
- •Ideal for slopes, level changes and boundary structuring
- •Durable, scalable systems suited to larger projects
- •Drainage and ground conditions designed in from the start
- •Clean detailing to match paving, paths and access routes
Gabion stone cages
Heavy-duty retaining with a clean, structured look and strong drainage characteristics.
Decorative stone infill options
Choose stone size/colour blends to complement the overall finish.
Modular retaining blocks
Stackable systems for neat retaining walls and raised areas.
Curves, corners & stepped walls
Flexible layout options for larger gardens and site constraints.
Drainage + backfill planning
Built to perform: correct backfill, weeps/drainage and stability details.
Capping and finish details
Copes, caps and edge finishes that keep the result looking premium.
Simple booking
Just a £100 deposit to secure your place.
Once your quote is agreed, a £100 deposit is all it takes to reserve your booking in our schedule. We’ll lock in dates, confirm the plan, and complete the work with agreed payment terms.
No obligation until everything is agreed in writing.