Long lasting patio material recommendation please!

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We have a very small patio to pave (in a small Victorian cottage), i.e. just about 10m2. So we wouldn't mind spend a bit more per m2 to make it look lovely (but not luxurious, otherwise wouldn't go with the house).

Saw all sorts of materials. They look lovely when presented online, in catalogue, newly paved. Just wonder if they are long lasting and not requiring too much maintenance.

Any recommendations/tips to share please?~~

Bump!

I can't comment on material- sorry.

I was only speaking to a friend today about their very expensive patio. Its obvious IMO- but it should have a very slight slope- so that any rain water will drain off- and not pool in the centre! Also make sure that the drains at the end are same level or lower than the edges of the patio- not 1 inch above meaning its impossible to brush/wash water into them!!! I know this sounds bonkers- but worth checking your builders know what they are doing. Also- a hopeful bump for you to get better replies about the material.

I’d go with nice stone flags like the victorians did. Depending on your budget reclaimed York flags would be lovely.

@MarmiteCoriander , thanks for advice! Agreed, some basic things could be neglected. Will bear this in mind.

@SomethigWentBang , just looked up. Still don't quite understand why these stones are so sought after. Is it because they are over 100 years old?

Look at porcelain flags.
they’re moss / greening resistant to a high degree.

I think it depends to a large extent on the sort of look you're going for. If your property's general style involves lots of period features, then porcelain might look a bit odd. Personally I'd go for something appropriate to the period and style of the property.

Reclaimed York stone would be great, but other materials might be as good and more appropriate depending on the area of the country - e.g. in North Wales I'd consider using slabs of slate if reclaimed ones were available.

Wouldn’t slate slabs be slippy when damp or wet?
(only ever seen them as flooring in old farm houses - in North Wales!)

I have a slate patio with gravel soakaways (?) On both sides. It does need pressure washing once every couple of years but I think that's fairly normal.

I haven't noticed it being slippery when wet but I also don't spend much time on my patio when it's raining. I move my bike across it regularly and haven't noticed an issue.

Our builder turned up earlier than expected. So we decided in a rush in the end. Going for sandstone (sawn and honed - smooth surface).

The guy said they would all look the same after the initial texture/grain got covered up by dirt and daily usage. But he suggested some treatment by pouring a specialist liquid on the surface and leaving it 24hrs to form a layer of transparent protection on top. Haven't look into it yet.

Plus he didn't want to do porcelain as it requires a set of really expensive tool to cut. Because of his age, he's not keen to invest for such.

Will report back once installed and everything.

P.S. We do have slates in the front. They look really ugly over time - but not slippery. DH kept saying we need to pressure wash them. But just talking and action is yet to follow...