Which Patio Material Suits Your Garden Best?

Dense, almost non porous and dimensionally very consistent, which means tight even joints and a crisp modern look. It resists staining, algae and colour change better than anything else, and cleans with soapy water.

The trade offs: it costs more, it must be laid on a full mortar bed with a slurry primer by someone who knows what they are doing, and cutting it needs the right blade. Choose a slip rating suited to outdoor use, and be aware that in deep shade it can still need an occasional wash.

The most popular natural stone in UK gardens for good reason: warm, varied, riven texture, good grip and comfortably the best value natural option.

It is porous, so it will darken with rain, take on some algae in shade and can stain from barbecue grease or leaf tannins if left. Sealing helps. Colour variation between slabs is part of the character, not a fault, though it means laying from several packs at once to blend it.

Finer grained and more uniform than sandstone, with a smooth matt surface and typically grey, blue grey or black tones. Modern looking without the price of porcelain.

It is softer and more porous than sandstone, so it marks more easily from acids such as spilled wine or citrus, and sealing is strongly recommended.

The hardest of the natural options: extremely durable, low porosity, excellent grip when flamed, and largely resistant to staining and colour change.

It is heavy, harder to cut and priced accordingly, and the palette is more restrained. Where it earns its place is high traffic areas and thresholds that take a beating.

Modern manufactured paving has come a long way and now includes convincing textured and riven finishes at a lower price than natural stone, with the advantage of consistent thickness and sizing that speeds up laying.

It is a manufactured product, so the pattern repeats across a large area and the colour is a pigment that can gently soften with sun exposure over many years.

Usually a driveway surface, but blocks work on patios where you want a small unit, curved shapes or a surface that can be lifted and relaid. They handle level changes and awkward geometry easily.

The joints are the compromise: they need re sanding periodically and they are where weeds and moss appear.

Shady, north facing and under trees: porcelain or granite, because they resist algae. Sunny and traditional: sandstone. Contemporary and low upkeep: porcelain. Budget conscious with a large area: quality concrete paving. Complex shapes and curves: blocks or a small format unit.

Whatever the material, the base and the fall matter more than the slab. Paving laid on spot bedding over soft ground fails no matter how expensive the stone was.