Patio Installation in Godalming – The Complete Guide

Why Patios Fail in Godalming

Many older patios in Godalming fail due to underlying ground conditions and dated construction methods, including:

• Mixed soil profiles around Charterhouse and Busbridge
• Heavy clay pockets in Witley, Milford and parts of Farncombe
• Made ground behind older Victorian and Edwardian homes
• Tree-related clay shrink–swell from oak, beech and conifer roots
• Inadequate sub-base depth or dot-and-dab slab installation

A good patio compensates for these conditions through proper excavation, compaction and drainage design. Our page on subsidence, drainage and patio longevity explains how poor groundworks shorten the life of paving.

Correct Patio Build-Up for Godalming Homes

For a high-quality patio, we recommend the following standard build-up across the Godalming area, adjusted for soil type and access:

1. Excavation

• Typically 150–250mm below finished level
• Removal of old slabs, concrete and weak sub-base material
• Levelling and consolidation of exposed ground
• Checking for old drains, services and tree roots

2. Sub-Base

• 100–150mm of MOT Type 1 or suitable alternative, compacted in 50mm layers
• Laser-level accuracy for consistent falls away from the house
• Geotextile membrane for soft or mixed ground
• Local adjustments where patios tie into driveways or paths

3. Laying Course

• Full mortar bed for porcelain, sandstone and natural stone (no dot-and-dab)
• Priming slurry for porcelain and most smooth-backed stones
• Sharp sand mortar mix for strong, consistent bonding

4. Jointing

• Professional-grade resin jointing for porcelain terraces
• Cement slurry or hand-tooled pointing for traditional stone
• Colour-matched joints for premium finishes around period homes

Drainage Considerations in Godalming

Godalming has many sloped gardens and clay-based soils, making good drainage essential. Depending on your property, we may incorporate:

• Channel or slot drains at door thresholds and bi-folds
• Falls of around 1:60 for porcelain and 1:80 for sandstone
• Soakaways where infiltration rates allow, or linked garden drainage systems
• Perimeter drainage behind retaining walls and raised beds

Preventing water from pooling against the house is a top priority in older Godalming homes. Our planning permission guide for Godalming also outlines rules about surface water and level changes.

Patio Materials Suitable for Godalming Gardens

Porcelain

• Low-maintenance, non-porous and modern
• Ideal for sunny gardens in Busbridge and Hurtmore
• Requires correct priming and a full mortar bed

Indian Sandstone

• Traditional look, perfect for period homes in Godalming town centre
• More natural variation and texture
• Can be laid in random or more formal patterns

Yorkstone & Premium Stones

• Beautiful, durable and ideal for high-end projects
• Often used around character homes in Frith Hill and Charterhouse
• Works well with brick and stone retaining features

Concrete & Budget Options

Less common for premium builds, but still suitable for simple seating areas and utility zones where budget is tighter.

Steps, Retaining Walls & Level Management

Many Godalming gardens have slopes or multi-level layouts, especially in:

• Frith Hill
• Charterhouse slopes
• Hurtmore and Hambledon fringes

We build:

• Block-core retaining walls with integrated drainage
• Brick-faced and rendered walls to match the house
• Porcelain-clad steps with matching treads and risers
• Wide, safe garden access steps in the same material as the main terrace

For more technical schemes involving banks or parking areas, see our page on retaining walls and level changes in Godalming.

Common Patio Design Enhancements

• Integrated lighting ducts and cabling routes
• Decorative borders or soldier courses to frame the main paving
• Raised seating walls and planters for structure and shelter
• Multiple terraces for sloped gardens, linked by generous steps
• Mixed-material schemes combining paving with gravel or planting

Typical Patio Costs in Godalming

Every project is different, but patio budgets in the Godalming area generally depend on access, levels, retaining walls and material choice. Our Godalming landscaping costs guide provides indicative ranges for patios, driveways and full garden schemes.

Thinking About a Patio Project in Godalming?

We’d be delighted to visit your home, discuss design ideas and provide a detailed written quotation — including clear specification for sub-base, drainage, materials and finishing.

Request a patio consultation in Godalming

Want to dive deeper into how patios are built?

If you’d like to understand what really makes a patio last – from sub-base and bonding to porcelain and sandstone quality – this deeper guide goes beyond brochure photos and looks at how the structure and materials behave over time.

Deeper Knowledge

How paving should actually be laid

A structural look at patios: what sits under the slabs, how cement cures, why full bonding matters, and why most failures start long before the surface is finished.

View paving structure guide →

Godalming Landscaping Knowledge Hub

Explore all of our in-depth landscaping guides for Godalming, Milford, Farncombe, Busbridge, Charterhouse, Witley, Hurtmore, Hambledon and the surrounding Surrey Hills:

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