Leaving cutting in to the end - Bad practice?

[Left handed]

If you're laying a flagstone patio would it be bad practice to leave any cutting in round edges to the end or is it better to cut as you go? Laying on a mortar bed.

Any reasons why one method better than the other.

My starting point will be a step in middle of garden so first flagstone on patio will be dictated by the step, its so that step fits in with the pattern.

[mickg]

both ways are correct... there is no right or wrong with laying the full flags and doing the cuts another day or cutting in as you lay .... its what method you prefer to use

[Left handed]

Hi mick,

I'm swaying towards leaving cuts till last based on on hiring a saw for one weekend rather than two.

When you're working do you prefer one method over the other or is it more of a "every job is different"?

Thanks for taking time to offer advice.

[seanandruby]

As mick said. But your right, every job is different. Only thing with leaving cuts behind is you have to scrape out the bedding to allow for the retro cuts, so you have the earler bedding gone off and new bedding as a seperate unit.

[Left handed]

Thanks guys.

Going to leave my cuts till last, ordering my type 1 tomorrow so hope to have subbase done this weekend.

Thanks again

[mickg]

Just one thing to bare in mind ...

if you do the cuts last make sure the gauge between the flags is the same ... so if the paving you are using is 600mm and you have a 10mm joint the gap between each row should be 610mm

[Left handed]

Hi mick,

Thanks again. When you say gauge are you referring to joint width?

I'm going to lay a 5 size random pattern, Stonemarket - sahara

Manufacturers site checked with tape measure
lists flagstones as. sizes are

915x610 900x600
610x610. 600x600
610x455. 600x450
610x305. 600x295
305x305. 295x295.

From the measurements above is it possible to estimate correct joint widths? so that although using a random pattern there shouldn't be overly long joints, the random pattern should still produce joints that flow and line up (even though jointing lines mmay break up and then continue a few more flagstones ahead)

I've read main sites page on joint balancing and understand the reasoning behind it but just wondered if measurements like 610x610 were there to give you a clue?

Im fairly confident i understand all the subgrade preparation, lay on full bed, different bedding mixes etc but starting to think joint width and alignment could be first giveaway between DIY job and a good proffesionals job.

Hopefully I've worded this so its understandable.

Thanks again

[lutonlagerlout]

I like to cut as I go purely because its a ballbreaker doing the cuts at the end, also all the bedding is continuous rather than day joints, however for various reasons this is not always possible
good luck
LLL

[Tony McC]

Manufacturers site checked with tape measure
lists flagstones as. sizes are

915x610 900x600
610x610. 600x600
610x455. 600x450
610x305. 600x295
305x305. 295x295.

See the comments here regarding the retail trick of selling fresh air at the best part of 30 quid a square metre!

And you can't have a "random pattern". It's either random, or it's a pattern. It can't be both.