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Laying a patio yourself can be a really rewarding experience as a homeowner. But it’s also a task that plenty of people don’t get right the first time. The common mistakes, however, aren’t in the laying of patio slabs itself, but in the preparation underneath.

This month at Silverton Builders Merchants, we’ve created a guide that covers the complete measurement and process for how to lay a patio, from the ground to the finished surface, with the specific measurements you need that others leave to chance.

The specifications for a patio

Do you want your patio to last for 30 years or three? The key to longevity is getting your specifications right. Here’s what you’ll need to consider before you start laying slabs.

Patios are subject to year-round exposure to the elements, which can take its toll more than you might realise. With six months of rain and frost, plus months' worth of bird droppings and decaying leaves, algae and general dirt leave your slabs looking a shadow of their best.

Choosing the right cleaner for the specific problem in front of you is what makes the difference, not just a general pressure washer and elbow grease. At Silverton Builders Merchants, we stock a wide range of patio cleaning products, making your patio look good as new.

Read on for more about the causes of patio staining and what we recommend as the best patio cleaning product.

What causes algae, moss and staining on patios?

The climate across East Anglia is particularly tough on patio surfaces. Because we face damp winters and low winter sun, the conditions are perfect for algae, moss and lichen. The same goes for Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

This means paving, decking and natural stone are at risk. When you add in the hard water areas that compound matters with limescale, plus organic matter and tannin from gardens, there’s no way to keep a patio fresh without a reliable patio cleaning product.

Which is the best patio cleaner brand?

Whether you’re a homeowner or landscaper in the UK, Azpects EASYCare is what we recommend the most. Their products are acid-free in most cases, making them suitable for plenty of surfaces. They even have concentrated versions which provide exceptional value if you have a large patio to clean.

Which patio cleaner should you use for different problems?

Here are our top picks, but always be sure to read the label carefully for manufacturer instructions and test products in small, discreet areas first:

• Algae, moss and lichen: We supply the Azpects Easy Algae Remover, which is a professional-strength product to kill and control algae, mould and lichen. Results can last up to 12 months and all you need to do is apply it to get it working. There’s no extra scrubbing required if you’ve got light growth.
  
  

• Heavy dirt and grime: In this scenario, Azpects Easy Patio & Deck Cleaner works quickly and effectively against the most stubborn dirt and grime on patios, decking and driveways. Featuring an active ingredient that remains on the paving, it reacts with the rain to keep your surface clean for up to 12 months.
  
  

• Porcelain paving: The Azpects Porcelain Cleaner and Sanitiser Super Concentrate is a specialist product. It can remove old sealants and general grime, all without damaging your surfaces. Because it’s super concentrated, it can cover up to 300 square metres per litre if your patio uses porcelain tiles, pavers, marble, granite or terracotta.
  
  

• Grout residue: This can be a common eyesore after you’ve finished installing porcelain. But with the Azpects Easy Grout Residue Remover, you can lift grout haze from both glazed and unglazed surfaces without scratching the finish.
  
  

• Natural stone intensifier: Want something to enrich the colour of your paving and protect against future staining? Try the Azpects Natural Stone Intensifier for cleaning your sandstone, limestone or slate patio.
  
  

• Deep cleaner with pressure washer: The Azpects Patio Snow Foam Cleaner gives you a thick layer of foam to break down dirt and remove moss and algae. It offers slow-drying, long-lasting action and can be used on any hard patio surface before careful pressure washing.

Read our comparison between porcelain and natural stone paving for patios if you’re planning to upgrade your space.

How do you get the best results when cleaning a patio?

The first thing you need to do is pick the right product. Once you have that, you can follow this as a rough sequence:

1. Sweep away loose debris

2. Apply your chosen cleaner (check the instructions for the right conditions)

3. Allow this to sit for the specified time on the label

4. If instructed, work the cleaner with a stiff brush

5. Finally, rinse away (unless using algae and moss treatments designed to be left to protect)

You can find the full Azpects range of cleaning products on our dedicated page. Available for free delivery across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire when you spend over £20, order online today and keep your patio clean as a whistle, all without the hassle — alternatively, visit one of our branches to pick up everything you need.

The summer months are when your garden decking really earns its keep, but it’s also the time of year that it’ll take the most punishment. UV exposure is the biggest risk, followed by foot traffic and potential rainfall.

To avoid it all taking a toll on untreated or neglected timber, it’s time for a bit of preparation. This month at Silverton Builders Merchants, we’re exploring how you can keep your decking looking sharp for family barbecues, rather than becoming a source of summer frustration.

How often should you treat garden decking?

Once a year is the rule of thumb for most British gardens, and ideally in the spring before the peak seasons begin. Hardwoods, like oak, are more forgiving, so you could carry out treatment once every two years instead, but most decking around homes in this country is done with softwood. 

Softwoods are more porous and absorb moisture more readily, so that annual treatment is your best defence against rot, grey weathering and surface issues. If you have just installed new decking, allow it to weather for six to eight weeks before going in with any treatments. This is because fresh timber needs time to open up its grain to accept oils and stains.

What is the best way to protect timber decking?

There are three main product types you can look at. Each of the following offers a different finish and level of protection:

• Decking oil - Oils penetrate the timber to feed the wood from within. This gives you a nice matte finish and is ideal for hardwoods.

• Decking stain - Stains sit slightly more on the surface than oils. You can get a whole host of colours, and many will provide good UV and moisture protection.

• Decking paint - This is your surface-level option, providing a solid finish colour. However, it takes a bit more preparation and maintenance.

For most homeowners, quality decking oils and semi-transparent stains give you that balance of protection and uplift in appearance. Whichever path you take, always try to give it two coats, leaving time for drying before you do the second coat to let it sink in.

How do you clean and care for decking before summer?

The first place to start is with a sweep. This gets up all the debris so that you’re ready for the following steps:

1. Cleaning - Always check that your decking cleaner is suitable for your wood type. When you have the right product, dilute it in water and scrub along the grain with a stiff brush. You can always try a pressure washer on a low setting for heavy build-up, but remember to keep the nozzle at least 30cm away from the surface to avoid damaging the wood fibres.
   
   

2. Dry it off - Give your decking at least 48 hours to dry (this obviously requires dry weather) before you apply any timber treatments.
   
   

3. Sand if required - If you’ve got rough, splintered areas, a light sanding with medium-grit sandpaper will help to smooth things out. Your treatment will then be easier to apply evenly.
   
   

4. Treat - Now you can apply your chosen oil or stain. Remember to allow it to cure fully before heavy use: see the product label for specific instructions. 
   
   

Decking options from Silverton

If your current decking is beyond saving but you still want to make the most of the good weather, it might be time to start fresh. At Silverton Builders Merchants, we stock kiln-dried, pre-treated redwood timber decking for a traditional look, as well as Saige composite decking, made from 90% recycled materials with a low-slip finish. What’s more, the latter handily does away with the annual requirements for timber treatments.

Both of these products and more are available for fast, free delivery across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region when you spend over £20. Alternatively, visit our branches across the region to pick up fresh decking for your garden.

The summer is almost here, and so is the urge to make the most of the sunshine in our gardens. 

But is your patio ready?

Whether you plan to entertain family and friends or put your feet up with an ice-cold beverage, you’ll need to choose patio slabs for your garden that create the perfect space. That means weighing up whether you want something sleek and simple or something with natural character.

At Silverton Builders Merchants, we supply a variety of slabs - including porcelain and natural paving stones - to homeowners across East Anglia and beyond. This month, we’re comparing the two most popular choices to help you with this design dilemma. 

The modern benefits of porcelain paving

Over the last decade or so, porcelain paving has transformed the outdoor materials market. It’s now one of the most popular choices for contemporary gardens across the UK, and for good reason.

Fired at extremely high temperatures, porcelain slabs are dense and hard-wearing. They also absorb virtually zero water, so they can resist the frost and won’t crack in freeze-thaw cycles. That lack of porosity also means less cleaning, because moss, stains and algae can’t gain a foothold.

At Silverton, we hold a variety of styles and colours available for fast delivery across  Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region for your summer season, but here are the key things to know about porcelain paving:

• Maintenance: Very low

• Durability: Extremely high

• Appearance: Uniform and contemporary

• Best suited to: Modern or minimalist gardens

• Slip resistance: Good (on textured finishes)
  
  

The classic appeal of natural stone and sandstone

Where porcelain wins on practicality, natural stone wins on character. There are subtle variations in colours, texture and veining that mean no two slabs are identical, giving your patio a feeling of warmth and individuality.

With different quarried sandstone slabs providing different tones, you can work this natural charm into almost any garden. The slightly textured surface means there is good grip underfoot and, when sealed correctly, it can retain a rich, lasting finish that only improves with age.

For homeowners who value beauty and a classic aesthetic, our range of outstanding natural stone slabs remains a popular choice. Here’s what you need to know about sandstone:

• Maintenance: Moderate

• Durability: High

• Appearance: Varied, natural

• Best suited to: Traditional homes and gardens

• Slip resistance: Good
  
  

Planning your patio: Calculating your materials

Before you place your order, it’s worth spending a few minutes getting your quantities right. Over-ordering wastes your budget, while under-ordering can mean you have to stop mid-project to order more, creating a delay in your summer plans.

Start by measuring your patio area, then multiply the length by the width in metres to get your total square meterage. Always add a little extra on to account for cuts, wastage and breakages, especially if your space is curved or has awkward areas.

Once you have your dimensions, you can use our handy online paving calculator to get an accurate estimate of how many slabs you need. It only takes a few seconds and can remove the guesswork for you.

Whether you choose porcelain slabs or natural stone, at Silverton Builders Merchants, we provide premium paving products at competitive prices. With free local delivery in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region when you spend over £20, you can get your garden ready for summer today. Alternatively, come see and feel the quality of our paving stone for yourself at any of our branches.

Garden sleepers have become one of the most popular landscaping materials here in the UK, with residents in East Anglia particularly fond of our range at Silverton Builders Merchants. It’s easy to see why, because they’re robust, long-lasting and bring natural charm to both contemporary and traditional gardens. 

Whether you’re planning a quick weekend project or an ambitious transformation, railway sleepers and garden sleepers are a versatile option. With a consistent shape, they’re genuinely DIY-friendly and easy to plan around. Here’s how to choose the right sleepers and make the most of them in common garden applications.

Building railway sleeper planters and raised beds

Railway sleeper planters can make for a satisfying weekend build, offering rigidity and weight to withstand the pressure of compacted soil, roots and wet compost. This is something lighter timber edging can’t handle over long periods.

For railway sleeper raised beds and planters, we recommend:

• Small brown softwood sleepers

• Small oak sleepers 

Here’s how to build a stable planter:

1. Start with a flat surface or dig a trench; this helps you to lock in the base layer and prevent it from moving laterally. 

2. Use sleeper brackets to connect sections securely at the corners.

3. Stack additional sleepers in a brick-bond pattern, offsetting joins between layers.

4. Fix with long structural screws or sleeper pins for extra rigidity on taller planters.

Creating straight railway sleeper edging

A simple, single layer of sleepers can give your borders a nice structural edge that holds a crisp line year after year. Mowing against it is easy, and it’s a step up in appearance when compared to plastic trims.

Small graphite sleepers can add natural beauty, but before you start, bear in mind that:

• Sleepers need a reasonably flat, level base as they don’t follow the undulations of the ground. 

• They work best on straight edges and geometric borders; for curved shapes, you need a more flexible alternative.

• Each sleeper should be partially bedded into the ground to prevent it from shifting over time.

At Silverton, we carry an extensive stock of both treated timbers and oak railway sleepers for Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region. With a range of colours, you can make border runs straightforward and aesthetically pleasing.

Constructing a railway sleeper retaining wall or garden slope

For more demanding projects, such as a terraced bank, railway sleeper retaining wall or some garden steps, extra planning can go a long way. 

Here are our tips for retaining walls built with sleepers:

• Low walls of one or two courses can be held in place with timber stakes driven into the ground behind each sleeper.

• Taller walls will need a concrete base for the first layer to bear onto, helping it hold back significant weight.

• Always offset joins between courses for improved structural strength.

For garden steps:

• Lay each tread as a stacked pair of sleepers, giving a solid feel underfoot.

• Pin or screw each pair together before you position them.

• Bed the back edge of each tread slightly into the bank for added stability.

• Fill in gaps between and around the steps with decorative stone — golden shingle or granite chippings add a touch of class while softening the edges.

How much are sleepers for the garden?

With a large, consistent stock of treated sleepers, you can order online for as little as £23.95 per sleeper from our online store at Silverton Builders Merchants, along with everything else you could possibly need. You’ll get free local delivery on orders over £20, saving you the hassle of trying to load up your car or van — which means more time to prepare your garden.

Not sure how many you need? Or just want to see them in person to inspire your railway sleeper border ideas? Then visit any of our branches, and we’ll be happy to help.

The cherry on the top of a well-maintained garden is a brand new fence. Not only does it provide privacy and mark your boundary, but it also gives your space a tidy finish.

So how much does a new garden fence cost if you’re installing it yourself in East Anglia? This month at Silverton Builders Merchants, we’ll guide you through all the elements you can choose from and the price ranges you can expect depending on your preferences.

Digging your fence post holes

All new fences will start with some groundwork. That means digging the holes for your fence posts to be secured in. One cost you may not have considered is the cement specifically designed for fence posts:

• We recommend FP McCann Post Crete, available in 20kg bags - £6.72 per bag, using 1.5 bags for each post (industry standard). 

If you know you want to raise your fence panels off the ground, you might also need to account for gravel boards. Available in concrete and timber, the former is better for avoiding rot long-term. These start at £4.55 for our cheapest timber gravel board and go up depending on the size and material.

Choosing fence posts and weighing costs

Whether you want timber fence posts or concrete fence posts, you can find a range of sizes and shapes in our fence post category. 

• Timber fence posts - Offering a more natural feel, timber fence posts are a little cheaper, starting at just £7.50 for 1.8m posts, but they may require more maintenance and could need replacing sooner than concrete posts.
  
  

• Concrete fence posts - Robust and low-maintenance, our concrete fence posts start from £19.14 for a 5-foot slotted post. You’ll need to consider how many end posts, corner posts and 3-way posts you need for your border.

We also sell machine round pointed fence poles if you’re after something more unique, starting at £3.62 for 1.8m poles. 

How much do fence panels cost?

Your aesthetic preference will dictate which fence panels you go for. Whether you prefer simple panels or the more traditional and eye-catching installations, we offer a range of options, including:

• Closeboard fence panels (vertical slats) - Starting from £34.14 and available in sizes upwards of 6x3 feet.

• Waney fence panels (horizontal slats) - Starting from £28.80 and available in sizes upwards of 6x3’6 feet.

• Picket fence panels - Starting from £28.22 for either rounded or pointed tops in a 6x3 feet size.

Remember that you’ll need to multiply the price by the number of fence panels you require.

Fencing fastenings, trellises and treatments

While the panels and posts may make up the majority of the budget, there are important fence fixings, such as screws, nails and staples, to consider. On top of that, you can also add extra accessories, such as a trellis for fence topping and wood treatments, if you’ve taken the timber route.

Final fencing price example

So, what’s the final cost for a single, standard section of new fencing? Here’s a rough calculation, but remember to adjust based on your preferences for materials, fence height and additions. The following are “starting from” prices for a basic fence panel and post replacement:

• 3x Bags of fence post concrete: £20.16

• 2x Timber fence posts: £15

• 1x Waney fence panel: £28.80

• 12x Fence clips: £14.40

  • Total: £78.36

Fencing supplies delivered to you

Thinking of replacing your old fence this summer? Or do you need a whole new fence for a property you’ve moved into? At Silverton Builders Merchants, we deliver fencing supplies across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region.

Browse and buy online to customise your fence and get everything you need in one handy order. If you need any further advice, simply get in touch with us today or visit one of our branches.

Spring is finally here, which means it's time to wake up your garden after the winter, tackle tired borders and prepare paths and beds before the growing season really gets going.

At Silverton Builders Merchants, we’re helping you to choose the right landscaping and gardening materials for healthier planting, tidier borders and easier upkeep.

Read on to find out where bark, topsoil, shingle, mulch and manure all play their part in your garden.

The benefits of garden mulch and manure

Garden mulch helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, protect roots and reduce your ongoing maintenance chores. Think of it as an organic, soil-enriching material, not simply a surface finisher.

Mulch and manure are both great for growing, but there is a slight distinction to keep in mind:

• Mulch is a protective layer for the top of your soil - shop our Equigrow fertile mulch
• Manure is organic matter to feed and improve soil - shop our soil and manure mix

The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) recommends mid-to-late spring for laying down your mulch and manure.

Laying the groundwork: Topsoil vs garden compost

Now, let’s look at what’s underneath.

Topsoil is great for building up the levels in your garden, including creating new beds, but it can also improve your ground ready for planting or turf.

Garden compost, on the other hand, is better for adding more fertility to your soil, along with texture and moisture retention.

• Choose our mushroom compost (soil conditioner) to improve your soil for growing
• Choose our topsoil bulk bag if you’re adding height or creating flower beds

Low-maintenance aesthetics with garden bark

You’re all set with your soil, but how do you keep that space looking beautiful without the backache from hours and hours of maintenance? This is where garden bark is ideal, bringing you:

• Tidier-looking borders
• Reduced weed growth
• Better moisture retention
• A more natural finish

This works well around shrubs, beds and pathways, and many people prefer it to bare earth. We have two options, depending on how you use your garden:

• Check out our play bark if you need a softer material for children’s play areas
• Check out our decorative bark for a natural-looking cover over larger areas

Finishing touches: Shingles and decorative aggregates

Looking for a finishing touch this spring that adds kerb appeal and some much-needed texture? Decorative aggregates are the perfect way to keep some structure in gardens of any size.

Our range of decorative aggregates includes great chippings and shingles, including the pristine polar ice chippings and the mixed-colour flamingo chippings. All you have to do is tip them out and spread them as a tidy top layer wherever you need it, whether you’re marking an edge or covering a whole section of the garden.

Buying in bulk: Bagged aggregates and soil delivery

We all love convenience, but cost-efficiency is often king when it comes to garden care and spring projects. That’s why we offer bagged aggregates and soil delivery across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region. From 20kg bags to whopping 850kg loads, you can get everything you need delivered with ease.

Choosing to buy in bulk is ideal if:

• You want to save the hassle of repeating your order
• You want to cover large borders and long paths or carry out full refreshes
• You don’t want to make multiple trips with materials in your car

When a few bags just aren’t enough, get the right quantity and avoid under-ordering with our delivery of topsoil, mulch, manure, bark and decorative aggregates.

Order your spring garden preparation essentials online with us today and get free local delivery when you spend £20 or more in a single order. Alternatively, for further help and advice, get in touch with our customer services team or visit our branches.