Built from the ground up
Clay holds water in winter and shrinks in dry summers. A patio laid on a thin base can sink, rock or crack as the ground moves. We dig deeper where needed, use well-compacted stone and give every patio a clear route for water. Our page on patios on clay soil explains why.
Homes around Northallerton
Northallerton has Georgian and Victorian houses around the High Street, Victorian terraces off it, and large modern estates to the north and in Romanby and Brompton. The villages range from brick farm cottages to stone houses on the edge of the moors at Osmotherley. We design patios that suit each.
Choosing a finish
Porcelain is crisp and low maintenance, popular on new-build homes. Sandstone and limestone bring natural character, ideal for period houses and village gardens. Block paving works for curves and can be laid permeably on wet ground.
Levels and the house
Every patio falls gently away from the house, sits at least 150 millimetres below the damp-proof course and leaves airbricks clear. New-build gardens often have shallow topsoil over compacted clay and builders' rubble, so we check what's underneath before we start.
