Thank you roj leather and Simon for your recommendations. I like the hanging chair and the almanda creeper on the wall. This will certainly liven up the patio.

immihunk, not sure what you mean by "strong enough to guarded". Are you looking to do a roof top garden? What is your objection to wood decking? It is strong, lightweight and will make a fine deck surface that allows drainage. We've don a few with removable panel systems for cleaning and maintenance. I'll monitor this discussion and maybe you can fill me in?

Thank you so much for your advice want to tell you that i'am using Scis Erica tiles on one side of the wall and grey on the remaining walls and the floor so what colour granite would you suggest would go with it, for tub ledge, will await for your reply . Thank you

Hi drmdilip -- While I waited for my trumpet vines to fill in sufficiently to provide summer shade, I sewed three matching striped shower curtains together, using the button holes on each end to tie it in place. I did this because as the vine was growing new, each thin runner would drop between the rafters rather than grow straight across. After a few years now, those thin runners have become a massed layer of thick vines, all of the new growth is straight up and by the end of summer I'll be able to easily remove my temporary support and have a roof of vines. It's not rainproof though -- for that, polycarb is practical, and I love the copper above!