Patios built to last
twenty years.
Indian sandstone, granite, porcelain and travertine — installed across Cork on a sub-base that does not move and drainage falls that do not puddle.
A patio is the most-used hard surface in any garden. People walk on it in heels, drop wine glasses on it, leave cast-iron furniture on it through Cork winters, and expect it to look the same in twenty years. Our patios deliver that because of what is underneath them — a properly compacted sub-base, the right depth of bedding, drainage falls planned for the actual spot — not because of how the slabs were photographed in the supplier brochure.
Four stages, all of them
beneath the slabs.
01
Site assessment and measurement
We visit, measure to the millimetre, and look at where rainwater currently runs and where it will need to run when the patio is in. We talk about the use case — dining area, sun terrace, walkway — because the size of slab and the joint pattern follow the use, not the other way round.
02
Excavation and sub-base preparation
We dig out to the depth the build needs — generally 200 to 250mm depending on ground conditions. The sub-base is MOT Type 1 hardcore, compacted in layers with a wacker plate. This is where most cheap patios fail. If the sub-base is shallow or uncompacted, the slabs sink within five years.
03
Sharp sand and paving lay
A bedding layer of sharp sand or mortar mix is screeded flat, with the planned drainage fall (typically 1:80 away from the house). Slabs are bedded individually, levels checked off a string line, and joints set to a consistent width so the pointing reads cleanly.
04
Pointing and finish
We point with a flexible jointing compound for most patios — slurry-applied, pulls the joint tight, no weeds, no washout. Edges are restrained to stop slabs creeping. We sweep, wash and walk it with you before invoicing.
Four materials,
four characters.
Indian Sandstone
Warm-toned, riven-faced, the most popular choice for traditional Cork gardens. Hard-wearing, ages well, takes a power-wash without damage.
Granite
Hard, dense, very low maintenance. A more contemporary look in flamed or honed finishes; pairs well with modern extensions and minimalist planting.
Porcelain
Vitrified, almost zero porosity. Stays cleaner than natural stone, but installation is unforgiving — every slab has to be perfectly bedded. Premium look, premium price.
Travertine
Pale, Mediterranean tones, riven or tumbled. Best in a sheltered south-facing courtyard; less durable than granite but unbeatable for a softer feel.
Itemised pricing,
no hidden lines.
From €120 to €220 per m²
The range comes down to the material, the cut complexity, the depth of sub-base needed for your ground, and access to the site. A 30m² Indian sandstone patio with side access sits at the lower end; a 40m² porcelain terrace with steps and integrated lighting sits at the upper. We give a fully itemised written quote so you can see exactly what each component costs. No deposit, free no-obligation visit.
The reasons it
lasts.
Sub-base depth that lasts
Compaction in layers, not a token scrape and a sand layer. This is where a 20-year patio is made or unmade.
Drainage falls planned, not guessed
Every patio is laid with a measurable fall to the right place — to a soakaway, a channel drain, away from the house. No puddles, no salt damage on the wall.
15+ years of patio installations
Gordon has personally installed thousands of square metres across Cork. Pattern, edge details, drainage routing — these are problems we have already solved.
Insured, full clean-up
Public liability covered, all spoil and packaging removed, and the patio handed over swept, washed and ready to use.
We install patios across Cork city and county. Bishopstown, Wilton and Rochestown sit inside our regular weekly run, and we work down the harbour through Carrigaline. For larger commercial or estate-scale patios we travel further within Munster. See all areas we cover.
Things people ask
before booking.
Often booked
together.
Ready to start your patio installation?
Free on-site visit, written quote within 48 hours, no deposit and no pressure.