Many homeowners assume spring is the only sensible time to lay a new patio, but autumn has a lot going for it too. This article looks at why the ground conditions and weather patterns of September and October suit patio-laying well, alongside the practical benefits of avoiding the busy spring rush.
There's also a look at the porcelain, natural stone and aggregate products available from Lumberjacks for anyone planning a new patio this autumn.
This article is a three-minute read.
Many homeowners assume spring is the sensible time to install a new patio, but autumn has plenty going for it too. The ground is still workable from summer, and a patio laid this month will have had time to properly settle before you want to use it next year. Here, Lumberjacks, who supply paving slabs in Suffolk from our Ipswich base, explain more.
Patios In Ipswich from Lumberjacks
At Lumberjacks, we supply a wide range of different paving from our Ipswich base. From concrete slabs & natural stone to porcelain paving, as well as all the aggregate you need to make a solid base
If you have any questions about your needs or patio project, call us on 01473 461394 or send us a message through our online contact form, and we will be happy to answer them.
Why Ground Conditions Favour an Autumn Patio Installation
A patio depends on more than just the slabs you choose – the ground beneath it and the weather while it's being laid matter just as much. Mortar and concrete generally need temperatures of roughly 5°C to 25°C to cure properly; below that they won't set correctly, and in extreme heat they can dry too quickly and crack. Early autumn tends to sit comfortably within that range. In addition, the soil is still warm and workable from summer rather than potentially waterlogged like in the Spring.
Rain matters too. Freshly laid mortar and jointing need a good 24 to 48 hours without heavy rain to cure properly, and September and October typically offer more of these settled, dry spells than the winter or spring.
Why Autumn Suits a New Patio
Ground conditions aside, there are some practical reasons why autumn is worth considering ahead of spring.
Beat the Spring Rush: Spring is traditionally the busiest season for garden projects, with contractors often booked up weeks in advance. Sorting your patio out in autumn usually means less competition for tradespeople.
Ready for the First Warm Weather: A patio laid now has months to settle and fully cure before you actually want to use it. Rather than living through a building project just as the weather improves, you can step straight out onto a finished space as soon as spring arrives.
Better Availability: With fewer households tackling major garden projects at this time of year, autumn can also mean better availability – and sometimes better pricing – on materials.
Paving Slabs in Suffolk from Lumberjacks
Once you've settled on timing, the next decision is which paving to use. At Lumberjacks, we stock concrete and porcelain paving as well as natural stone, giving you a choice between a crisp & timeless finish, a low-maintenance modern style or a more traditional look.
Concrete provides a clean, classic look and is a durable choice for patios and paths. It can be laid in a single colour for a simple, uniform appearance or combined with different colours to create patterns and add visual interest. Our selection of Textured Paving is available in two sizes and a range of colours.
Our porcelain range includes Riva Porcelain Paving and Avantgarde Porcelain Paving, both hard-wearing, frost-resistant and easy to keep clean – useful qualities to have with the cold snaps we have had in recent years. Porcelain also won’t stain or scratch as much as many natural stones.
In contrast, lighter-coloured natural stones such as sandstone not only give a more traditional look but are well known for their ability to reflect sunlight, making them cool to walk on even on hot summer days. Our selection of Natural Stone Paving is available in larger project packs as well as individual slabs.
Whichever you choose, a solid sub-base makes all the difference to how long a patio lasts. We stock MOT Type 1 for the foundation layer and sharp sand for bedding the slabs, both available in bulk bags for larger projects – see our guide to loose aggregates for more detail on choosing the right one.
Get Your Patio Sorted with Lumberjacks
Whether you need concrete slabs, porcelain, natural stone or the aggregates to build a solid base, Lumberjacks can supply everything for a new patio this autumn. For a step-by-step look at the laying process itself, we've covered that in a previous post here.
We deliver across Suffolk, including Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Stowmarket and Hadleigh, as well as into Essex and Norfolk. If you have any questions about which paving is right for your garden, call us on 01473 461394 or fill in our online contact form, and we'll be happy to help.
