Patio? Decking? Neither??

[2Happy]

We are finally getting to grips with the garden which has been abandoned for some time. We have an area at the bottom which gets lots of sun (except a small area that is a bit shaded by trees). dh wanted decking, but a friend said it gets slimy if it's shaded, and that out in the sticks (which we are) they can be places where rats nest (eeek!). We've had a quote, which is pricey, and were wondering if a patio was a better option (though presumably would get equally slimy if shaded?).

Opinions? Advice? Maybe we should just lawn it?! TIA!

Patio. Decking seems odd at the bottom of a garden although if good quality shouldn't get slimy.

Just my humble opinion, though.

Think I saw a rat run down a hole behind our swing last week .

Ewwwww! Hate rats!
What's more expensive? I assumed stone, but am doing my head in trying to do the maths on various online sites!
He wants to put the table/chairs and bbq down there, since it gets sun well into the evening it's a good spot for the bbq.

Patio would be cheaper if you laid it yourselves I'd guess. Might end up a bit undulating though! I'll ask DH, I'm sure he'll have an opinion on the matter .

BTW did you see this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1364&threadid=334329&stamp=070605205527?

I'm sure he'd have an opinion, much as I have one about dh's capabilities of laying patio slabs!!

Thanks for the link, I hadn't spotted it, have posted. First one tomorrow!

I wouldn't put decking down because of the rat risk and it is prone to getting slimy in this country.

I'd go for a patio.

Hmmm, thanks for the advice. Think I'm going to sleep on this one!

Any more opinons welcommed!

I'll try bumping for daytime views!

I sliped and feel over at a party at someones house who had decking. It had been raining a was like an ice ring

Good point (and great name, btw )

I would go for a patio. I laid one in a similar position in a previous property and it was actually not very difficult although it was hard work digging foundations / lugging bags of sand / slabs etc. I didn't use concrete though which I think you would need to if you were going to put heavy items on it. We have a lot of decking in our current property installed by previous owners; it is very high quality and in full sun for most of the day and still requires a lot of cleaning and gets very slippery if damp.