Travertine setts - Laying travertine setts for driveway

[J.D]

Hi. I have been asked by my customer as part of a larger landscaping job to lay travertine setts for his driveway (60m2). The travertine setts are 100mm x 100mm x 30mm and are to be edged by silver granite setts 100mm cubes. All sets are to be hand pointed in a sand and white cement mix at 10mm joints. I have removed existing driveway a tarmac topped concrete base of 250mm and left existing sub base . The plan is to put down and compact 150mm of mot on top of existing sub base and to lay the setts on 75mm to 100mm of washed sand and cement. The problem is i have never used travertine setts or a product of 30mm depth for a drive way. The driveway is only for domestic use but i have to give a guarentee on all my work and this is making me a little nervous! The bloke who is suppling the setts says not a problem, but he would ! Money not an issue on this job but my reputation is . Any help comments or advice would be welcome. Thanks

[lutonlagerlout]

can you not lay them onto 100-150mm of lean mix?
i really dont like the idea of travertine on a drive though,where did he get this crazy idea?
its barely strong enough for bathrooms ffs
LLL

[Pablo]

I agree maybe think about slurry pointing to give maximum strength and wait till good weather so you can seal it before it gets driven on. White pointing and light setts will get filthy very quickly

[J.D]

Thanks LLL . Happy to take your advice on lean mix . Like you think an odd choice ! But customer got very set ideas all be them original have tried to sugest more appropriate solutions but he sure thats what he wants. Im affraid that over time the setts are going to "pop up" and im going to end up back sorting it out till i pop off ! However if it is ok to do, want to do it as this guy is putting alot of work my way.

[J.D]

Thanks pablo. Again agree with you about getting filthy quick. take your point about slurry pointing ta.

[dig dug dan]

you will need to point with easipoint slurry mix for it to have any strength at all. It's worth paying a bit extra, and they can match the colour your looking for

[J.D]

Thanks Dan. Will take your advice ta

[Tony McC]

Travertine? Nightmare! Travertine onna driveway? Bloody scary nightmare!

I would not take on this work as I know that the Travertine will discolour, will become slippery, will show every single tyre mark, will end up with crap-filled vesicles, and will do nothing for my reputation.

I'd point out all of these shortcomings to the customer and get them to sign a waiver exempting me from any responsibility for when (not "if", but "when") it all goes manky, at which point I'd be leaning on the bar saying "I told you so!"

[matt h]

Tony , I admire your eloquence.. I agree with you comments also.. I'D HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH TRAVERTINE ON DRIVEWAY. i HAD TO REMOVE A WHOLE COURTYARD OF THE STUFF BECAUSE A LITTLE OLD LADY KEPT SLIPPING ON THE DAMN THINGS.Lucky it wasny me who laid them in the first place!;)

[J.D]

Thanks Tony, I had a hunch your answer would be along those lines. I am off to the cusomers tomorrow with a large arm full of catalogues of more suitable products for driveways. I will also pass on comments gained from this forum (Thanks). If all else fails i will take a waiver contract for him to sign, sugest he gets shoes with a good grip, and book myself in to replace it in a years time !!

[matt h]

hopefully he'll see sense, but you never know with punters... I try to suggest things then walk away... they usually come back in a couple of days saying they have had a new idea... if they think its their own idea it usually works:D Best of luck and let us know haow you get on

[danstan]

Natural Setts for a driveway - try these, a gorgeous product from Global Stone. We stock these in Modak and York Green - Nice!!

http://www.globalstonepaving.co.uk/sandstone/old-rectory-cobbles.html

PS Travertine looks great in my kitchen - and thats where it should stay!!!

Dan

[lutonlagerlout]

i notice they give the depth as 35-50 mm
dan??
IME with global stone's old rectory walling the sizing was a major headache, varying for 35-80mm,probably less grief on a driveway.
also did 3 patios in modak rose this year and they have all gone a bit green
wet year i suppose
LLL

[Pablo]

Have done a couple of driveways with Marshalls sandstone setts and they really show up the tyre marks/ brake dust etc. Don't think it's a good choice for driveway either although it does look good.

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

As an alternative, contact Philip Sinclair of Scot-Kerb in Carnoustie who could supply you with 110 x 110 x 50 charcoal or sandstone cobbles, 40MPa strength at around £24.50 per sq m including VAT and transport, and totally suitable for a domestic driveway. Beautiful old world finish.