Patio and Decking Material Costs Compared
The choice of material is the single biggest determinant of cost and appearance for a patio or decking project. For patios, the main material options are natural stone, porcelain, concrete paving, and brick or cobble setts. Natural stone — such as Indian sandstone, limestone, or granite — costs approximately £50 to £120 per square metre for materials alone, with installation typically adding a similar amount. A 30-square-metre natural stone patio might cost £3,000 to £7,200 all-in. Porcelain paving has become increasingly popular for its durability, frost resistance, and low maintenance, at a similar or slightly higher cost than natural stone.
Concrete paving flags are a more economical option, with budget slabs available from around £20 to £40 per square metre, bringing the total for a 30-square-metre patio to £1,500 to £3,600. The trade-off is a less premium appearance, though good-quality concrete flags can be very effective when combined with contrasting borders or edgings.
For decking, the choice is primarily between pressure-treated softwood timber, hardwood timber, and composite. Pressure-treated softwood is the most affordable option, typically costing £1,500 to £3,000 for a standard deck, but requires annual maintenance — staining or treating — to prevent weathering and decay. Hardwood decking such as iroko or ipe is more durable and attractive, at £3,000 to £7,000, but requires sourcing from responsible suppliers to ensure it is not from illegally logged forests.
Composite decking — manufactured from a blend of recycled wood fibre and plastic — offers the appearance of timber with significantly lower maintenance requirements. Composite boards do not require annual treatment, do not splinter, and are resistant to rot and fading. Costs typically range from £2,000 to £6,000 for a standard deck, making it a mid-range option that is increasingly favoured for low-maintenance outdoor living.
Planning Permission for Patio and Decking
Planning permission is not required for most patio and decking installations in residential gardens, provided certain conditions are met. A patio at ground level — or raised no more than 30 centimetres above the natural ground level — falls within permitted development rights for houses and does not require a planning application. This covers the vast majority of standard patio installations.
Decking falls within a slightly more nuanced set of rules. Decking within the curtilage of a house is generally permitted development provided it is not more than 30 centimetres above ground level, does not cover more than 50% of the total garden area including any other structures, and is not in front of the principal elevation of the property. Raised or multi-level decking structures that exceed these parameters may require planning permission.
For properties in conservation areas or designated areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, additional restrictions may apply to decking installations. Listed buildings are also subject to stricter controls, and any hard landscaping within the curtilage of a listed building may require listed building consent even if it would be permitted development elsewhere.
If your decking is attached to the house and effectively forms part of the dwelling, building regulations may apply, particularly for structural elements, loadings, and balustrades where the deck is raised above ground. A qualified contractor will be able to advise on whether building regulations notification is required for your specific project.
