Terraces or patios are the natural way to extend a house into the garden and provide space for leisure and entertaining.

There are numerous suitable materials, of which stone paving flags tend to be the most popular, though porcelain, decking, clay pavers, setts or even resin-bonded aggregate can all be used.

A huge choice of stone is available, especially in recent years when materials from Europe, India and China have been imported in great quantities. These can provide cost-effective alternatives to the traditional York stone paving favoured for many centuries. When selecting stone, porcelain or decking it is important to consider a range of important factors. As well as the appearance; grip, hardness, porosity and overall maintenance requirements should all be taken into account.