Porcelain patios in Milton Keynes

Is it right for you?

Is porcelain the right patio for you?

Porcelain is the patio that looks the same in ten years. It costs more than sandstone or concrete flags to buy and to lay, and for a lot of MK gardens it is worth it.

It suits you if

You want a patio with as little upkeep as possible
You have kids, a barbecue, pots or a dog. Nothing stains it
You want the clean, large format look with tight joints
You are in for the long haul and want it to last

Think again if

You want the warm, natural look. Sandstone does that better
Budget is the main thing. Concrete flags or sandstone cost less
You want to lay it yourself. Porcelain needs a full bed and a priming slurry, not dots of mortar

The honest facts

Time on site: 2 to 4 days for most gardens
How long it lasts: 30 years plus
Looking after it: Hose it and brush it. Usually no sealing needed
Cost: The highest of the three patio materials
Drainage: A gentle slope (about 1 in 80) away from the house, at least 150mm below the damp-proof course

Send a photo for a rough idea first. The written price comes after the free visit.

Our work

Porcelain we have laid round here.

Real gardens and real back doors in Milton Keynes. Every job is one we did ourselves.

See all our work

Buff porcelain patio and new fencing, from above, Milton Keynes area — Buff porcelain patio and new fencing, from above

Grey porcelain patio with artificial grass and raised beds, Milton Keynes area — Grey porcelain patio with artificial grass and raised beds

Buff porcelain run down the side of the house, Milton Keynes area — Buff porcelain run down the side of the house

Porcelain patio half laid on its mortar bed, Milton Keynes area — Porcelain patio half laid on its mortar bed

After: Overgrown slab patio to buff porcelain and new fencing

Before: Overgrown slab patio to buff porcelain and new fencing

BeforeAfter

Before and after

Overgrown slab patio to buff porcelain and new fencing.

An overgrown slab patio lifted and relaid in buff porcelain, with new fencing round it.

Project notes

Raised porcelain patio with sleeper edging

Raised by the house and finished with a timber sleeper edge, on the same primed, fully bedded slabs and stone base as every porcelain patio we lay.

Where: Milton Keynes area
Surface: Porcelain
Edge: Timber sleepers
Time on site: 3 days

See more of our work

How we build it

What is under porcelain that stays level.

Every slab gets a priming slurry on the back and goes on a full mortar bed, never dots. That is what stops porcelain rocking and cracking. Underneath it, the base does the rest.

Your patio, cut in half. The top is what you see.

Patio slabs (20mm)Laid to a gentle slope away from the house so rain runs off, not in.
Mortar (30mm)Every slab bedded on a full bed of mortar, not dabs, so nothing rocks or cracks. Porcelain gets a primer so it bonds.
Crushed stone (100mm)Crushed stone compacted in layers.
Firm groundTurf, soil and roots taken out down to firm ground.

Price and paperwork

What moves the price, and what you get in writing.

No prices on this page. A photo on WhatsApp gets you a rough idea, and the written price comes after Terry's free visit. This is what moves it.

Laying time. Porcelain takes longer to lay: a priming slurry on every slab and a diamond blade for every cut.
Size and shape. A simple rectangle costs less per square metre than curves, circles and lots of cuts.
The slab. Porcelain costs more than Indian sandstone, which costs more than concrete flags.
What is there now. Old slabs, concrete, turf and tree roots all have to come out before the base goes in.
Levels. A sloping garden that needs a retaining wall and steps costs more than a flat one.
Drainage. Some gardens need a channel drain or a soakaway; some do not. Terry checks where the water goes.

Where it sits: The highest of the three patio materials.

Read the full cost guide

In every written quote

A written price, agreed before we start
Start date and how many days on site
Stone base depth: 100mm of compacted stone, and the slope the rain runs off
Edging and drainage spelled out
Old surface, fence or wall out and waste taken away
10-year guarantee
Fully insured
14-day cooling off

Ask for the same list from anyone else quoting. If it is not in writing, it is not promised.

What our guarantee covers
How to spot a cowboy quote

Reviews

What people say about their patio.

5.0★★★★★104 reviews

Featured review

“Absolute 10/10 job. Organising job was so easy. Patio extenstion was at the best price we found. Job completed in a few hours to perfection and left spotlessly clean. Couldnt of ask for anything more. Now we can enjoy our garden this summer!”

Hayley Kakie, Google review, May 2026

I cannot recommend these guys enough. What a great job - levelling the muddy slope to accommodate a lovely new patio with some steps. 5* job and great work ethic. Done and dusted in a couple of days. Thank you

Liz K, June 2026

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Terry and the team did a fantastic job of cleaning and sealing our block paved drive and sandstone patio. His team were friendly and professional, pricing was very competitive and we are extremely happy with the results. Would absolutely recommend if you are looking for a contractor for this type…

David Watkins, 2025, excerpt

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We were not disappointed, Terry and his team did an excellent job, they were reliable, punctual and hardworking and more than happy to provide guidance as to the best way to proceed, so that we achieved an excellent result. We are very satisfied with the works and would most definitely use Terry…

Lee Lambert, July 2026, excerpt

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Read the reviews

Porcelain questions people ask Terry.

Is porcelain slippery when wet?

Outdoor porcelain is made with a textured, anti-slip surface, so it is fine in the rain. Indoor tiles are a different product and we never use them outside.

Why does porcelain cost more than sandstone?

The slabs cost more and they take longer to lay. Each one needs a priming slurry on the back, and cutting needs a diamond blade. The result is a patio that needs very little looking after.

Does porcelain need sealing?

Usually not. Outdoor porcelain takes in very little water, so it resists stains and green growth. A hose and a brush is usually all it needs, and Terry tells you if your slab is an exception.

How long does a porcelain patio take?

2 to 4 days for most gardens. The base and the drainage take the same time as any patio; the laying is slower because every slab is primed and every cut needs a diamond blade.

Can I have porcelain steps to match?

Yes. Porcelain steps with a contrast edge are one of the most popular things we build. See our steps and levelling page.

Will it fade in the sun?

No. The colour goes right through the slab, so it looks the same in ten years as the day it was laid.

Where we work