What's the concensus of opinion...

Paul Miller · Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:35 pm

Long time since I've been here, but needs must again as I will be replacing my old Indian Sandstone patio which has long since failed.

Anyway, I'm looking at paving approximately 30m3 using 3 different sized slabs; 600 x 600, 600 x 290 & 290 x 290

Would it be better to get 10m2 of each size which would equate to 28 large slabs, 56 medium and 112 small. Or is it better to get equal quantities of slabs which would work out to about 48 of each.

Which option would you use ?

Cheers

Paul

London Stone Paving · Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:41 pm

you need to order an equal NUMBER of each piece, so that would be 48 of each.

Otherwise you would have a disproportionate amount of the small ones and it wouldn't look great

Steve

Paul Miller · Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:46 pm

Thanks for your quick reply. I have been heavily browsing your website and even though I'm not in your area I may have to take a drive down and have a look and one of your showrooms. Got a few questions to ask as well. Cheers

London Stone Paving · Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:04 pm

No worries. Its a fair treck from the Wirral though

Advice is always free so ask away

PavingSuperstore · Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:20 pm

Several of the mixed packs cover around 15m2 comprising 13 x 900x600, 13 x 600x600, 13 x 600x290 and 9 x 290x290 - this is a fairly standard mix and there are laying patterns for this mix if you prefer to use these

Post: # 105117Post **Tony McC** Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:26 pm

I'd get it designed first and then order accordingly.

Having equal matereage of the available sizes results in far too many of the little 'uns, but then ordering equal numbers of each size can often result in an awkward layout., When I'm dealing with six or more sizes, the distribution of sizes tends towards a bell curve, with fewer of the largest and smallest and more of the middle sizes, but with only 3 sizes to play with, than rule can't apply.

Further, with your limited selection of sizes, you have two square and only one oblong available. If you have twice as many squares as oblongs, you end up with a difficult, awkward or repetitive layout.

By designing first, you eliminate the guesswork by determining preceisely what needed for a good looking layout, with minimum wastage.

Yes: I create designs for a living, so maybe I *would* say that, but no-one has proved me wrong, no-one has ever shown me a layout created ad-hoc from what was delivered without thought that has turned out better than a pre-planned design.

Paul Miller · Post: # 105125Post **Paul Miller** Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:13 pm

Thanks for all the advice. I think 4 sizes may look better by adding 900 x 600 but having just taken up the old patio, these sizes are a bugger to handle on your own, particularly if they are quite thick, and that is why I was angling towards the 3 smaller ones.

PavingSuperstore · Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:21 pm

The calibrated ones are not too bad on weight - often around 25kgs, but yes, most definitely more cumbersome to move.

Tue Jul 21, 2015 5:12 pm

Paul give the gaffer your dimensions and get a CAD layout
its cheaper in the long run (flags left over otherwise)
plus he distributes the sizes so the joints stay relatively even
not sure what the cost is now but it saves money if you get me

once you have your pick list have a look at our 2 erstwhile suppliers and make your choice

one thing I wouldnt do is buy off ebay or the like

I have done jobs for people who thought they were clever sourcing cheap stone and it delaminated soon after

as said most stone is now 22-25mm so ven the "3 by2" are easy to work with

cheers LLL