New patio - Best foundations

[honeyrose]

I am starting from scratch with a new patio outside the back of my house. This will be sunken because the garden slopes slightly at present. There will be brick retaining walls leading to a lawn and flower beds each side. The house is semi detached and the garden is quite narrow.

The garden is accessed via a conservatory which is alongside the house and set back a bit so there is a small recessed area paved with concrete alongside a flower bed already in place just outside the door and sited between house wall and garden party wall with next door. There are drains and drain covers in this area. Area behind house is rough grass at present.

I have had two contractors round to quote (both highly rated on Checkatrade). They both want to leave the existing small area of concrete and pave over the whole area (excluding drain covers) with Indian sandstone which they say is the most suitable medium. The house is late Victorian/early Edwardian and I was hoping for something a little more characterful. I suggested herringbone bricks (repro) but they do not want to use these, say it is too hard to prevent vegetation taking hold.

As an alternative I thought maybe Indian limestone with inserted "tumbler" bricks but this was similarly rejected. The guys are not unpleasant about it but just suggest my ideas are not practical. I want something which looks in character with the house not just a workable modern patio. (I tried using a garden designer and they suggested something quite different which I did not like (included moving shed to far corner) and they went off in a huff.)

Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

[London Stone Paving]

I'm sure you will get plenty of ideas on here. Would be helpful if you posted some photos of the site.

Unless I am missing something I cant see any reason why Herringbone bricks or Indian Sandstone with tumbled bricks would not be practical. Sounds like they are trying to make it easy for themselves rather than provide you with a garden that you want.

As for the designer. If they have cleared off in a huff because you don't like their ideas, then the haven't really served their purpose. A designers function is to provide a concept that you like and that is practical for your lifestyle, its not a vanity project for their ego.

I know loads of good contractors in SW London. They will work WITH you to create a garden that you want. If you want any names, send me a PM

Steve

[PavingSuperstore]

I don't see any reason why you could not use clay bricks as these are full of character. Yes they may get some moss forming between them, but with an older style property this just adds to the character. Alternatively, there are various tumbled 'antique' style paving materials that have more of an aged appearance to make them especially suited to period homes. This includes limestone and sandstone, but with the tumbled finish and the more muted colour tones, these are far more appropriate for this type of setting. You could also use the same paving, but break it up a little by inserting cobble setts of the same material to make it a little more rustic in appearance.

Hope this helps, but let me know if I can help any further.

Kind regards,

George