Small spaces done well
A good patio in a York yard can make a terraced house feel twice the size. The trick is to treat a small space carefully: choose paving that brightens it, set the levels so rain runs to the existing drain, keep well below the damp-proof course and leave room for planting against the walls. Our guide to courtyard and terrace gardens goes into the detail.
Most terraces in South Bank, Clementhorpe, Bishophill, the Groves and Leeman Road have no side access, so materials come through the house or along a back lane. We protect floors and doorways and do as much cutting as possible outside.
Choosing the material
Natural stone is the classic choice in York, whether reclaimed-look York stone flags, Indian sandstone or limestone. Porcelain is hard-wearing and resists the green algae that builds up in shady yards. Brick and block paving, especially clay pavers, sits naturally beside York's red-brown brick and works well in narrow spaces where large slabs need too much cutting.
Bigger gardens
In Fulford, Heslington and the villages such as Bishopthorpe, Haxby and the Poppletons, gardens are larger and often get more sun. Here we might lay a broad terrace outside the back doors with steps down to the lawn, or a second seating area where the evening sun lands.
Levels and drainage
Patios should fall gently away from the house, finish at least 150 millimetres below the damp-proof course and never cover airbricks. Parts of York are prone to flooding and much of the ground is clay, so we think carefully about where water goes, using drainage channels, permeable joints or a soakaway as needed.
