Kieran McCarthy: How do I replace an old wooden patio?

Kieran McCarthy tells a reader what to keep in mind when replacing an old outdoor decking

There is no doubt that the vast array of timber decks installed during the heyday of the Celtic Tiger era have long since reached their sell-by dates.

Dear Kieran, 

We are replacing an old patio. We previously had wooden decking laid but it didn’t weather well and we are hoping to install Mediterranean-style porcelain tiles instead. They are 7.9ins by 7.9ins.