B+q paving slabs ? + butt jointed = no pointing?

[DIYPaver]

Anyone ever buy patio slabs from B&Q ?

I have constructed the foundation for a 16 foot x 11 foot patio and need to get the paving slabs now. I am looking for 2 foot x 2 foot slabs.

My budget is tight, I have got quotes from local concrete product companies.
I was looking at Peak Smooth paving slabs in B&Q that come in cheaper, the yellow-ish 'Buff' colour.
http://www.bradstone.com/garden....es.aspx


They are the low end of the Bradstone range , is Bradstone good ?

On the Bradstone website it says that "all Peak Smooth units are butt jointed"

http://www.bradstone.com/garden....es.aspx

will butt jointed mean that I would not be able to point or grout them ?


1st time poster, I have searched the main website for answers before posting here.

[Tony McC]

Not nesser celery. Aklthough they can be butt-jointed (which means they should have a 2-5mm sand-filled joint) they can also be laid with a full mortar joint if that's what you prefer.

Bradstone are one of the better wet-cast manufacturers, but the Peak Stone is very much a budget product, manufactured to a price rather than a quality level. I think they are too 'soft' for family patios: they weather and abrade relatively quickly, but should give you at least a couple of years of service.

[DIYPaver]

Thanks for your quick reply Tony McC

We are only really leaning towards the "Peak Smooth" because its the colour we like in that low price range.
I see in the B+Q catalogue that the Peak Smooth slabs are only 35mm thick also.

I looked at other riven-type wet cast paving slabs from local concrete product place but not mad about the colour, (white-ish natural concrete colour or black). I'm limiting my choice with the budget really

If I went with the butt-jointed option (with 2-5mm sand-filled joint) would they be OK just be laid on a bed of sand, or does this make them susceptible to movement ?

Would I need a kerb unit around the free edges with the butt joint slabs? ... think I just answereed my own question

or could I also use a screed bed with the butt-joint slabs?


p.s. thanks again, this is one of the most informative websites I've come across in my DIY searching so far

[Tony McC]

Lay on a full mortar bed, regardless of what jointing you choose