Behind this red brick detached house in Pontypool, the old patio had seen better days. The small square concrete slabs were stained and uneven, with weeds growing along the joints and a few broken pieces stacked by the conservatory doors. Next to it, the lawn ran right up to the conservatory wall.
We took the old patio out and laid a new one in golden sandstone, with warm yellow, cream and soft pink tones, in a random pattern of large rectangles. It now runs across the back of the house, past the back door and round the front of the conservatory, finishing on a clean line against the grass.
Before and after
The before photos show how the old paving stopped short of the conservatory, leaving the lawn right against the brickwork. In the finished view, the stone wraps round the conservatory, so the French doors open straight onto paving and the grass is pulled back to a neat edge.
The larger slabs make a big difference too. Where the old patio was a tight grid of small squares, the sandstone gives far fewer joints and a much calmer surface, and the pale, warm colour lifts the red brick instead of fighting it.
Taking out an old patio
Replacing a worn patio is more than laying new slabs over the top. On most jobs of this kind, the work runs roughly like this:
- lifting the old slabs and breaking out any failed bedding underneath;
- cutting back turf where the patio is being extended;
- building a fresh compacted sub-base across the whole area;
- laying the new stone with a fall away from the house and the conservatory;
- pointing, cleaning up and taking the old materials away.
Questions About This Job
Can new slabs go over an old patio?
It is rarely a good idea. If the old patio is uneven or sinking, whatever goes on top will follow it, and the extra height can end up too close to the damp course. Lifting it and starting with a proper base is usually the better route.
Can a patio be made bigger at the same time?
Yes. Replacing a patio is a good moment to change its shape, as here, where it was taken round the conservatory. We cut the turf back and build the base out to the new line.
What colour paving suits a red brick house?
Warm buffs and golden sandstones sit well against red brick. Greys can look smart too, but a warmer stone tends to feel more at home next to older brickwork.
How do I arrange a quote?
Tony and the team will visit, look at the old patio and the ground, and give you a free quote. Send us a message to get started. You can also read about landscaping in Pontypool or browse patio slabbing and paving.
