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Slate Patio Installation: Get Free Quotes

Plan a slate patio, path or steps? Get a free quote from independent paving installers across South Africa. No fee, no obligation, no pressure to accept.

  • Quotes from: paving contractors and tilers
  • Area: all nine provinces
  • Cost to you: free
A grey slate patio with an irregular crazy paving pattern leading to a braai area, with a worker checking levels in the background
A grey slate patio with an irregular crazy paving pattern leading to a braai area, with a worker checking levels in the background

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Know the size? Enter it and we add the area to your request. Skip it if you are not sure.

0 m² to order

Roofs, walls and steps: measure each face and add them up, or type the total in the form.

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Tell us what you need and where. A slate supplier, tiler, cladding installer or roofer who works in your area quotes you directly.

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A slate patio gives you a hard-wearing outdoor space with a natural, textured surface. It still needs to be laid on a proper base, with the right falls and joints. SlateTiles.co.za is a free quote service. Fill in one form and we pass your request to independent paving installers and tilers in your area, who quote you directly. There is no fee and no obligation. We do not sell slate or lay it ourselves.

Ways to lay a slate patio

The layout changes the look, the cost and the skill needed. Common options are:

  • Square or rectangular slate tiles, laid in a regular grid for a clean, modern look
  • Slate paving slabs, larger and thicker for heavier use
  • Crazy paving, with irregular pieces fitted together like a puzzle
  • Mixed sizes, laid in a random pattern

Natural cleft slate has a textured face that grips well when wet. Rustic multicolour slate adds copper, rust and green tones. Charcoal and grey are calmer. Pieces from one pallet can vary a lot, so it is wise to mix them from several packs as you lay.

Where slate paving goes

Slate is popular outdoors because it is hard and has a natural, non-slip face. Typical jobs include:

  • covered patios, stoeps and braai areas
  • garden paths and stepping stones
  • steps, landings and entrance paths
  • walkways and courtyards in complexes
  • areas next to pools, where a non-slip surface is important

Outdoors, slate faces summer rain in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, winter rain in the Western Cape, and frost on the Highveld and in the Free State. The base and joints need to allow for movement. Where steps are involved, ask how the installer will keep each tread even and non-slip.

What a good installation includes

Most paving problems come from poor preparation. Check that the installer will:

  • excavate and compact a proper sub-base, so the patio does not sink
  • set the surface to a fall so rain runs away from the house
  • lay slate on a solid mortar or screed bed with no hollow spots
  • use flexible, polymer-modified adhesive for tiles on a slab
  • leave movement joints, and keep paving clear of the damp-proof course
  • seal the slate once the joints have cured

Clean off any cement haze early. It is much harder to remove later.

What affects your quote

Installers will quote from the site and the design. Tell them about:

  • the area in m² and the shape of the patio
  • the type of slate and the layout, such as a grid or crazy paving
  • the ground, including slopes, existing paving and drainage
  • whether old paving must be lifted and removed
  • steps, edging, planters or a path to add
  • sealing and joints, and who supplies the slate

In an estate or complex, you may need approval before work starts. If the patio sits near a pool, say so, as the surface then needs to be non-slip and well drained.

Comparing quotes for slate patio and paving installation

The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: exactly what is included, from surface preparation and materials to cutting, sealing and clean-up.
  • Materials: the slate, adhesive, grout, sealer or fixings allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
  • Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes, and curing or drying time before the area can be used.
  • Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.

What to include in your request

  • State the patio or path area in m² and sketch the shape if you can.
  • Say which layout you want, such as slate tiles, slabs or crazy paving.
  • Describe the ground, including slopes, an existing slab or old paving.
  • Mention steps, edging, planters or a braai area to be included.
  • Add your suburb, access for materials and any estate or body corporate rules.

Frequently asked questions

Is slate a good choice for a patio?
Yes, for many homes. Slate is hard, low in porosity and has a textured cleft face that grips when wet. It needs a solid base and sealing, and darker slate gets warm in full sun. Ask the installer how the slate you like will perform where you live.
Does a slate patio need sealing?
It usually helps. Sealing guards against stains from braai fat, leaves, wine and rain, and makes cleaning easier. Impregnating sealers keep the natural look, while enhancers deepen the colour. Outdoor sealer wears with UV and weather, so expect to re-seal from time to time.
Can slate be laid over my existing concrete slab?
Often yes, if the slab is sound, level enough and has a fall away from the house. Cracks, damp and loose areas must be sorted out first. The installer will check the slab and advise whether tiles on adhesive or a new mortar bed is the right approach.
Does SlateTiles.co.za lay the patio?
No. SlateTiles.co.za is a free quote service. You fill in one form, and we pass it to independent paving installers and tilers in your area. They quote you directly. We do not sell slate or do the work, and you are not obliged to accept any quote.

Slate Patio and Paving Installation by province

Slate Patio and Paving Installation by city and town

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