Understanding patio quote

bouicca21

The two quotes are for stone supplied by Marshalls and London Stone. Both state ethically supplied and it would certainly be a worry to me if not ethically supplied. Of course the problem is knowing how effective their checks are, the various stories that emerge every now and then about clothing and sweatshops suggest checks aren't always that great.

And of course I don't want the stuff to deteriorate under British weather conditions. But stone is so much nicer than concrete.

al69

I noticed someone mentioned the pointing and dont allow them to brush it in.

There are several really good products out there now that are put in in exactly this way. The advantage is you dont get any mess on the stone. You brush it in and add water afterwards.

Mashalls do one called weatherpoint 365 for example.

andyhop

Pointing with mortar will fail over time

Polymeric sand is the future, something from GTFK such as the 840+ is ideal, easy to brush in and clean off and our 60sqm patios was done in less than 2hrs

bouicca21

3rd quote guy came tonight. He suggests Indian sandstone not a great idea for a shady north facing building.

Furts

bouicca21 wrote: »

3rd quote guy came tonight. He suggests Indian sandstone not a great idea for a shady north facing building.

I do not know your location, but would add that if you are in a wet, or exposed, or northern part of the UK, then Indian Sandstone may not be a good idea.

Moss growth and algae would also need consideration. It is fine to say pressure wash it off but will the sandstone withstand this? Will the guarantee still be valid?

Marshalls are a reputable company but do check their guarantee and exclusions just in case there are any clauses applicable to Indian Sandstone.

Should you use the sandstone in an inappropriate location it might be that any guarantee is limited. I do not know for I have not looked, but I am aware of this applying with other Far Eastern sourced building products.

bouicca21

I'm actually in London, but North facing and shady for at least half the day. I think I probably need to combine tactics - go out to a stone supplier's site and actually knock on the doors of the clients given as references to see how the stone has aged.

tizzle6560

bouicca21 wrote: »

I'm actually in London, but North facing and shady for at least half the day. I think I probably need to combine tactics - go out to a stone supplier's site and actually knock on the doors of the clients given as references to see how the stone has aged.

I'm also currently getting quotes for a patio job. Do any of the contractors you've had in so far, cover SW London by any chance?

Thanks

bouicca21

How far west? I'm in the South East. One of them is based Croydon, one definitely only does very local jobs, the third might travel, but he's so far the most expensive so you'd probably not want him. If it's any help, for approx 26 sq metres the 2 quotes so far are just under £2k and 3.5k. Both for Indian sandstone. Not sure what to expect from contractor 3 - he's suggested what I think might be a nicer shape, so more wastage, and what he called Tuscan limestone which I couldn't find in either Marshalls or the London stone catalogue. Not sure if Tuscan means it comes from Tuscany or whether it is a generic term.

Johnhowell

Furts wrote: »

The type 1 is hardcore hence both quotes are the same here. You could have recycled material under the slabs - it really does not matter provided it is suitably selected and well compacted.

Type 1 sub-base may be considered hardcore BUT hardcore most probably is not sub-base. Type 1 sub-base to Specification for Highway Works Clause 803 is graded material to allow for tight compaction.


Hardcore may by single sized stone or gap graded which would not compact appropriately for the intended use.


OP I would query the builder to confirm what he meant by hardcore. If the ground is particularly soft (low CBR) then may be use the hardcore as a capping layer.


Good luck,
John

Furts

Johnhowell wrote: »

Type 1 sub-base may be considered hardcore BUT hardcore most probably is not sub-base. Type 1 sub-base to Specification for Highway Works Clause 803 is graded material to allow for tight compaction.


Hardcore may by single sized stone or gap graded which would not compact appropriately for the intended use.


OP I would query the builder to confirm what he meant by hardcore. If the ground is particularly soft (low CBR) then may be use the hardcore as a capping layer.


Good luck,
John

My post said "suitably selected and well compacted". I stand by this.

One has to assume that the contractor has a level of competence. If the contractor was using single sized stone then any sharp sand bedding, or blinding layer, will fall through this resulting in poor slab laying. Within no time the customer will be demanding the slabs be re-laid because they are settling. No contractor wants this hassle, hence it is almost a certainty that the stone will be "suitably selected and well compacted".

B&Q Tradepoint sell bulk bags of aggregate for trade use, and those with an eye for detail would not entertain some of the rubbish that is filled into their sacks. Type 1 is a meaningless term because it means someone, somewhere, is claiming that their material is meeting this standard. Rarely is anyone checking if this claim is substantiated. B&Q Tradepoint, amongst others, take advantage of this

So back to OP - talk of CBR values is unnecessary and someone is having a laugh here. We are talking about about patio slabs, and not building a road.