Paving
Indian Sandstone Paving
Indian sandstone looks at home beside an Aberbeeg cottage, but in a garden that sees little sun it should be sealed and cleaned regularly to stop green growth.
Aberbeeg lies where the Ebbw Fach and Ebbw Fawr rivers meet, low down in a narrow valley with hillsides rising close behind the houses. That setting brings its own paving problems. Gardens here stay damp longer after rain, lose the sun early behind the valley sides, and often back onto older cottage walls that do not like having water pushed against them.
The patio paving we lay in Aberbeeg is designed around those conditions: surfaces that do not turn slick with algae, levels that keep water well away from old walls, and drainage worked out before the first slab goes down. It is a small village and the gardens are often small too, so every paved square has to earn its place. Tony and the team give free quotes and advice. Ask us for a visit.
Shade, damp and the character of an older property narrow the choice. Here is how our six materials suit Aberbeeg.
Indian sandstone looks at home beside an Aberbeeg cottage, but in a garden that sees little sun it should be sealed and cleaned regularly to stop green growth.
Porcelain is often the most practical answer in a shady Aberbeeg yard, since its dense surface gives algae very little to cling to and wipes clean easily.
Reclaimed-look or riven natural stone suits the older cottage properties in Aberbeeg, especially where there is original stone walling in the garden already.
Limestone is lovely in a bright spot, but most Aberbeeg gardens are shaded for part of the day, so we would only suggest it with a sealer and a sunny position.
Textured granite stays grippy in the wet and resists staining, which makes it a sensible choice for steps and paths on damp Aberbeeg slopes.
Permeable block paving lets rain soak through rather than run off, useful for a front parking space or path in a low-lying Aberbeeg street.
Rain that falls on the hills above Aberbeeg has to go somewhere, and a lot of it passes through gardens on its way down to the rivers. Ground on the valley floor can stay soft and wet for days, and paving laid straight onto it will settle unevenly. So the first thing we look at is not the patio itself but where water gathers and how it can be led away.
Our Aberbeeg guide to dealing with damp ground covers drainage in more depth. If your property is close to a river, it is worth checking your flood risk with Natural Resources Wales before planning any major groundwork.
Many Aberbeeg homes are older cottages with solid stone walls, and some have a weak damp proof course or none at all. Raising the ground level against those walls, or letting rain run towards them, can push damp into the house. When we pave next to an older wall we keep the finished surface low, set a clear fall away from the building and, where it helps, leave a narrow gravel strip against the wall so it can breathe and drain.
Our article on patio paving for Aberbeeg cottages looks at materials and details that suit these houses, and how a patio should be laid explains falls and bedding.
Why people in the village ask us to lay their patios and paths.
We sort out where the water goes before anything is paved, so the patio stays firm and dry.
Levels and falls are set to protect cottage walls from extra damp.
We help you choose surfaces that resist algae and stay safe to walk on.
Tony and the team will look at your garden and give a clear written quote at no charge.
Where the ground climbs behind the house, a small level patio at the bottom and a second one part way up can make a tiny garden feel twice the size. Holding those levels usually means retaining walls in Aberbeeg, and on very uneven ground raised decking can sometimes be a lighter alternative to paving.
Placing the seating matters here more than most places. We look at where the sun falls through the day, which in a narrow valley can be a small window, and put the main patio there rather than automatically outside the back door. Paler, non-glossy slabs can also bounce a little light into a shaded corner.
Real reviews from homeowners across Aberbeeg — rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 69 reviews and 10/10 on Checkatrade.
“Had my patio done by the company and could not be happier. Top quality work done and quickly too.”
“I was pleased to find Tony and his lads were absolutely great! Tony responded quickly & was very polite.”
“We were delighted with the work and materials, which were of very high quality. Tony and team helped us.”
Local and practical guides to help you plan the work.
One team for the whole garden, so a single visit can price everything you have in mind.
We cover Aberbeeg and the towns around it. Choose another area below.
T J Landscapes South Wales
24 Conway Road, Pontypool
Torfaen, NP4 6HL
We cover homes right across South Wales, from Cardiff and the coast up to the valleys and the Brecon Beacons.
Shade and damp are the main reasons. A garden low in a narrow valley gets less sun and dries out slowly, so algae and moss take hold on porous surfaces. Denser materials, good falls and regular brushing all help. Our patio cleaning guide explains safe ways to treat it.
It can if it is laid too high against the wall or slopes towards the house. We keep new paving below the damp proof course where there is one, give it a fall away from the building and can leave a drainage strip along the wall. If you already have damp problems indoors, get them looked at separately too.
Look for a textured or riven face, or porcelain with an outdoor anti-slip rating, rather than anything polished or smooth. Granite with a flamed finish grips well on steps. Our guide to choosing patio slabs compares the options, and we can bring samples so you can feel them wet on your own ground.
The size, the chosen material, how much drainage the ground needs, any retaining walls on the slope, and how easily materials and waste can be moved in and out. A free quote breaks it down clearly.
Usually it means the base was too thin for wet ground or water has washed material out from underneath. Relaying on a proper base with drainage is normally the lasting fix. See why patios sink, crack or lift, or read about the rest of the garden on our Aberbeeg landscaping page.
Tell us about your garden, any wet or shaded spots and the age of the house, and we will arrange a free visit.