The Landscape Company
Godalming · Surrey
Choosing between porcelain and sandstone paving is one of the most important decisions when planning a new patio. In Godalming, factors such as river valley conditions, clay sub-soils, shaded gardens and period properties all influence which material performs best long term.
This guide compares porcelain and sandstone paving specifically for gardens across Godalming, Milford, Farncombe, Busbridge, Bramley and surrounding villages, and sits alongside our more technical guide to patio installation standards in Godalming.
Both materials work well in Godalming when installed correctly — the right choice depends on garden style, ground conditions and ongoing maintenance expectations.
Porcelain paving suits modern gardens and renovated properties where clean lines and consistency are key. It pairs particularly well with smooth rendered walls, aluminium doors and contemporary planting schemes.
Sandstone integrates naturally into Godalming’s older homes, cottages and riverside gardens. Around central Godalming, Busbridge and Charterhouse it often feels more in keeping with traditional brick and stone.
Much of Godalming sits on clay-heavy soils with areas influenced by the River Wey, making drainage an important consideration for any patio or terrace.
Material choice is secondary to correct groundwork — poor installation will shorten the lifespan of any paving. For more on this, see our pages on garden drainage and groundworks and subsidence and patio longevity.
Both porcelain and sandstone can be supplied with slip-resistant finishes suitable for Godalming’s damp winters and shaded plots.
Shaded gardens benefit from good drainage and sensible cleaning routines regardless of material. The detailing of the build is as important as the paving choice.
Installed costs depend on access, levels, drainage and sub-base depth. As a broad guide, and in line with our Godalming landscaping costs guide:
Ground conditions, access restrictions and drainage requirements can increase costs in river valley locations and steeper plots.
Choose porcelain if you want:
Choose sandstone if you prefer:
Whichever you choose, the most important factor is the build quality beneath the slabs. Our detailed patio installation guide for Godalming explains excavation depths, sub-bases, drainage and jointing in full.
Godalming · Milford · Farncombe · Busbridge · Bramley · Wormley · Charterhouse · Witley · surrounding Surrey Hills villages
We can assess your soil conditions, drainage and layout to recommend the most suitable paving for your garden, property style and budget, and provide a clear, fixed quotation.
If you are weighing porcelain against sandstone for a Godalming garden, these deeper guides explain how each material is made, how it performs outdoors, and what really matters beyond the brochure photographs.
How porcelain is engineered, why some tiles crack outdoors, and how we assess quality before agreeing to install a product.
Why some sandstone patios mellow beautifully and others fail, with insight into quarry quality, testing data and ethical sourcing.
Not necessarily. While very smooth, pale porcelains can feel contemporary, many manufacturers now produce ranges that mimic traditional flags and weathered stone. When we’re working around character brickwork, timber framing or period cottages, we tend to choose softer tones and layouts so the patio sits quietly alongside the house rather than shouting over it.
Shaded plots near the river or under mature trees will always grow more algae, whatever material you choose. A good quality sandstone with the right surface texture performs well, but it does need sensible drainage, falls and periodic cleaning. Porcelain has an advantage in really damp, tree-covered corners because it absorbs far less water and is easier to wash back to a clean surface.
Both porcelain and sandstone perform well when the sub-base and drainage are designed correctly for the soil beneath them. On the heavier clays found in parts of Godalming, Farncombe and Compton we usually increase sub-base depth and pay close attention to water run-off. On freer-draining greensand hillsides we focus more on tying terraces together and preventing localised movement at the edges rather than the slabs themselves.
Porcelain normally has a slightly higher installation cost because it needs full-bed fixing, priming and more precise cutting. Sandstone can be a touch cheaper per square metre on day one, but may require more cleaning and the occasional reseal over its lifetime. On many Godalming projects, access, levels, drainage and waste removal have a bigger impact on the final price than whether you choose porcelain or sandstone for the surface.
Explore all of our in-depth landscaping guides for Godalming, Milford, Farncombe, Busbridge, Charterhouse, Witley, Hurtmore, Hambledon and the surrounding Surrey Hills:
If you’re considering a new driveway, patio or full garden transformation, we’d be happy to talk through your ideas and advise on the best way forward.
Call: 01428 654812 · 07500 877949
Email: richard@tlchaslemere.co.uk
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