Patios & Pathways Advice & Installation Support

A well-designed patio or pathway transforms how a garden is used and how the house relates to it. EvoHome Improvements helps homeowners across Hampshire and the South think through material choice (porcelain, natural stone, sandstone, concrete flag, block, gravel or resin), pattern, edging, levels, falls and surface drainage, slip resistance, sub-base, jointing, and how the patio ties into doors, lawn, fencing, decking or a garden room.

Access, ground conditions and existing surfaces all matter. EvoHome Improvements advises and coordinates — independent vetted landscaping and outdoor specialists carry out the physical work. We do not quote fixed prices, exact timescales, guaranteed drainage performance or guaranteed planning outcomes without a proper site assessment.

A professionally installed patio creates valuable outdoor living space and enhances the connection between house and garden. Material choice, proper preparation, and skilled laying are the three pillars of a patio that performs for decades rather than years.\n\n## Material Selection\n\nThe UK patio market has transformed in recent years with the arrival of porcelain paving.

Unlike natural stone, porcelain is virtually non-porous (water absorption under 0.5%), meaning it resists staining, algae growth, and frost damage. Natural sandstone remains popular for traditional aesthetics but requires sealing and periodic cleaning.\n\n## Sub-Base Preparation\n\nThe sub-base is the most critical element of any patio.

In Hampshire's clay soils, a minimum 150mm compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base is essential, with deeper preparation in areas of poor drainage. Skipping proper sub-base preparation is the single most common cause of patio failure.\n\n## Drainage Requirements\n\nAll patios must slope away from the building at a minimum gradient of 1:60 (approximately 17mm per metre).

Since 2008, new impermeable paving over 5m² at the front of properties must drain to a permeable area or use permeable materials, under planning regulations.\n\n## Hampshire Climate\n\nHampshire's freeze-thaw cycles demand frost-resistant materials. Porcelain and granite perform excellently, while some imported limestone and sandstone can suffer surface spalling.

Salt-spray exposure near the coast adds another consideration for material selection.