Alternative to decking

[Jelly0naplate]

I have an area at the back of our garden (not a massive garden) that is a big concrete slab. It had cold frames in it when we moved here 10 years ago and also has a very old shed on it. Cold frames have been filled in. Plan was to have it decked but I'm wondering if anyone can suggest an alternative to decking that is easy maintenance and looks nice and isn't going to be a vast amount of money as well! We also have kids age 6-8.

Area of concrete is about 5m X 2.5m

Thanks

Patio. Decking is a dumb idea if you are in the UK, not suitable for a temperate climate even if you live in a drier zone.

IKEA do composite decking tiles that you can click to get yourself. We've got them on our balcony (otherwise a grey slab of concrete- we put AstroTurf and decking tiles on it) and they are great. So easy to fit if you've already got a flat surface.

These tiles
I've noticed they now do edging strips for them, so I might get some to finish mine off a bit more neatly.

You could even have a mix of their decking tiles and their fake grass ones if you wanted to mix it up a bit.

Depending on which tiles you chose it would cost upwards from just over £200 to around £400.

Decking is fine if it is Millboard. Otherwise ceramic tiles or york stone. The main cost is never the stone or the tiles. It is the work involved in laying them!

Composite decking. It's a much better alternative to wooden decking in our climate, looks good, low maintenance and feels really nice underfoot. We replaced our crumbling wooden deck with composite last year and are very pleased with it.

We've got the IKEA decking. DH talked me into getting the lighter colour and wish we hadn't as it gets dirty easily. Think the dark one would have been ok.

Yes. We have Millboard at our holiday property. Just about to get it at home.