Stone driveway material?? - What to use ?

[petes6970]

I'm a keen DIYer, but am contracting 130m2 natural stone paving for speedy completion. About 100m2 will be 3.2m wide driveway to access double garage with the cars and the indian sandstone proposal seems comparatively soft and suspect to me. Limestone seems to offer a harder wearing surface, although both would be laid on 150-200mm compacted and graded hardcore. I'd appreciate comments on the experience of wear rates and choice of sandstone v limestone for driveways/parking. Any comments too on tyre wear and prevention of rubber "tracking" residue on the flags would be appreciated. A surface matt sealant is anticipated for colour appearance/protection and miosture resistance too. The remaining 30m2 would be patio with light foot traffic only.

[Pablo]

Could you elaborate on what type and thickness of limestone (flags or setts) and what bedding course you hope to use. Cheers

[petes6970]

Hi Pablo, I think either sandstone/limestone thickness would be minimum 35mm laid on 100% mortar cover bed at 6:1 mix to include strengthening/bonding additive. I'm also wondering if polyester fibres in the mortar would improve strength and stability of the mix due to heavy 4 x 4 diesel parked or manouvering on top!!
Thanks for your help.

[Pablo]

Flags or setts

[Mikey_C]

A check of the website will confirm but I think trafficked areas (especially heavy diesel 4x4's) should have 3:1 NOT 6:1 mortar.

[petes6970]

Flags is the first choice, standard packs of the 4 size flags are being considered.
Thanks for the 3:1 advice Mikey.

[Pablo]

If these are the type I think they are then they will not be suitable for vehicle traffic. It takes a very specialist heavy grade flag to tolerate vehicles and quite a substantial base construction to remove any chance of flexing. Those 4 size packs are for patio use only.

[Tony McC]

Although some limestones are 'harder' than some of the Indian sandstones, they tend to be more prone to disfiguring tyre marks, especially on narrower driveways.

Regardless, if you're using these "Patio/Project Packs", be aware that the flags therein are often on the thinner side, and that when used beneath a driveway, they MUST be laid onto a bed or base of at least 100mm thick mass concrete.