Hello,
Sorry for being an annoying new member just here to ask a question. I'm finding it so hard to find information online.
We're having a patio laid in our Victorian terraced yard/garden. Going for kandla grey, next to an original red brick wall, fencing and grass.
We don't know whether to get tumbled or riven as we don't really understand the difference. I don't really like the bumpiness of riven and want a slightly smoother finish. Does tumbling do this? I've read lots about the edges and corners but what does tumbling do to the surface? I want to avoid mini puddles and wobbly tables.
Can anyone advise please? Thank you.
Tumbled or riven sandstone flags?
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lutonlagerlout
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firstly kandla grey is a good choice, low maintenance and looks good
tumbled is as you say ,the stone is slightly more rounded
if a riven or tumbled patio is laid correctly you may still get mini puddles and slight wobbles on tables due to the stone not being 100% flat
this could be eliminated by having a bigger fall,but then your patio becomes a ramp rather than a usable area :;):
Ideally for riven flags you want around 1:60 fall
good luck
LLL
tumbled is as you say ,the stone is slightly more rounded
if a riven or tumbled patio is laid correctly you may still get mini puddles and slight wobbles on tables due to the stone not being 100% flat
this could be eliminated by having a bigger fall,but then your patio becomes a ramp rather than a usable area :;):
Ideally for riven flags you want around 1:60 fall
good luck
LLL
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amyloupea
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lutonlagerlout
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matt_north
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As i understand riven mean the flags are the random thickness they are when cut at the quarry. Calibrated means they've been through a thickness saw so they're all give or take the same thickness. Easier for laying!
Just to put the cat among the pigeons with LLL. One of our local suppliers sells indian stone that has been calibrated and tumbled but this means the whole surface has been tumbled to give the flags an uneven look but smooth underfoot. Unlike our other local supplier whose flag surface wasn't tumbled and was harsher under foot.
Just to put the cat among the pigeons with LLL. One of our local suppliers sells indian stone that has been calibrated and tumbled but this means the whole surface has been tumbled to give the flags an uneven look but smooth underfoot. Unlike our other local supplier whose flag surface wasn't tumbled and was harsher under foot.
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PavingSuperstore
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That's not correct information regarding riven and calibrated - they are two different things altogether. Riven describes the surface finish and generally means the paving has a naturally split surface which for sandstone, involves ripples or ridges occasionally. These are usually minimal, but could cause the water to pool slightly in places. Other finishes could be sawn and honed, sandblasted, flamed, tumbled etc, all of which affect the uppermost appearance of the slabs.
Calibrated on the other hand, describes the thickness of the paving and you would generally find that paving is either calibrated or a variable thickness. On a variable thickness stone, the underside looks similar to the uppermost face in that it will often have a riven, uneven finish and the profile of the slab could vary in thickness between say 25-40mm or 15-22mm for example. When laying, this requires levelling to be made at the surface of the slab using the bedding mix to counter the variations in thickness. The calibrated paving on the other hand will have a flat underside and the thickness when looking at the profile of the slab, will be consistent (within small tolerances). The surface texture could still be riven, sawn, tumbled etc. Many people prefer the calibrated thickness as it is a quicker installation process as not so much time is taken in levelling.
With regards to the original post, the tumbled paving will have more of a time-worn appearance so will not appear quite so new. The ridges will not be quite so angled and the edges are rounder and this makes the paving ideal for older style homes where a new paving material may look out of place. In terms of whether water will pool, then this could still be possible in places where there is a natural low point on a slab here and there, but in reality, this should be quite minimal, as with all paving, it should be laid to lead the water away from the home rather than let it form ponds on the patio.
Have you seen both product before? If not, then we could send you some samples if this would help at all.
Regards,
George
Calibrated on the other hand, describes the thickness of the paving and you would generally find that paving is either calibrated or a variable thickness. On a variable thickness stone, the underside looks similar to the uppermost face in that it will often have a riven, uneven finish and the profile of the slab could vary in thickness between say 25-40mm or 15-22mm for example. When laying, this requires levelling to be made at the surface of the slab using the bedding mix to counter the variations in thickness. The calibrated paving on the other hand will have a flat underside and the thickness when looking at the profile of the slab, will be consistent (within small tolerances). The surface texture could still be riven, sawn, tumbled etc. Many people prefer the calibrated thickness as it is a quicker installation process as not so much time is taken in levelling.
With regards to the original post, the tumbled paving will have more of a time-worn appearance so will not appear quite so new. The ridges will not be quite so angled and the edges are rounder and this makes the paving ideal for older style homes where a new paving material may look out of place. In terms of whether water will pool, then this could still be possible in places where there is a natural low point on a slab here and there, but in reality, this should be quite minimal, as with all paving, it should be laid to lead the water away from the home rather than let it form ponds on the patio.
Have you seen both product before? If not, then we could send you some samples if this would help at all.
Regards,
George
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amyloupea
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- Location: England
Thank you for all of the helpful and informative replies.
We went for the tumbled as we felt it might have a slightly smoother surface and it is calibrated so easier to lay.
Thanks for the offer of samples. The work is being done tomorrow so time wasn't on our side, just had to order. I'll update once done to comment on how it has come out.
We went for the tumbled as we felt it might have a slightly smoother surface and it is calibrated so easier to lay.
Thanks for the offer of samples. The work is being done tomorrow so time wasn't on our side, just had to order. I'll update once done to comment on how it has come out.
.