01/09/2026
UK summers are getting warmer, but have we thought about what that could mean for the patios and landscaping projects we’re installing today?
It’s not just about how materials cope with the heat above ground. The conditions underneath our patios could be changing too!
The Met Office projects hotter and generally drier summers for the UK as our climate continues to change.
A patio installed today could still be there in 10, 20 or even 30 years, so should we be thinking about the conditions it’ll need to cope with in the future?
If you’ve worked on clay rich ground, you’ll know how much it can change with the weather…
☀️ Hot & dry → soil loses moisture → clay can shrink
🌧️ Wetter weather returns → soil takes on moisture → clay can swell
That repeated change in moisture can mean movement in the ground underneath the job.
If the ground beneath a concrete base moves, it can introduce additional stress into the slab, and concrete under stress can crack!
That DOESN’T mean hot weather automatically causes cracked patios.
Good ground prep, the right sub base, compaction, drainage and installation all still matter.
But could reinforcement be another part of building a base that’s made to last?
Many concrete bases beneath patios and paths are installed without reinforcement.
Adding reinforcement within the slab can help:
✅ Control cracking
✅ Distribute stresses across the concrete
✅ Maintain the integrity of the base
It’s not a replacement for good ground preparation, it’s another layer of support within the overall build up.
Rebarflex is our fibreglass concrete reinforcement mesh designed for landscaping projects
💪 Up to 62% reduction in cracking
💪 2750N/500mm tensile strength
📏 1m × 50m roll
✂️ Lightweight and easy to cut & position
💧 No rust or corrosion
Ideal for patios, pathways, concrete slabs and other landscaping applications
We can’t stop the ground reacting to changing weather.
But we can think about how we build on top of it.
Good ground prep. The right sub base. Good drainage. Proper installation. And reinforcement where it can add another level of suppor
