Quality slate paving?

[stephent]

I am looking to purchase slate paving for a patio. I have been warned that some slate isnt suitable for exterior use in the UK.

If i am buying online, how can i be sure that the quality i am purchasing is good enough?

I presume that the slate will be imported.

The website i was looking to buy from is nustone in Hull.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Rich H]

I just used Stonemarket 'Tru-Slate' which was fine. Are you going to lay it yourself? If not, your contractor should be able to advise. If he/she can't, pick another contractor.

[lutonlagerlout]

they will probably send you a sample the size of fag packet
but online is by its nature hit and miss,much better to go to a yard and actually look and touch the stone
LLL

[stephent]

yes they said they will send a small sample through.

I will be installing it with a family member (brick layer), so although we can install it ok, we are not exactly qualified to comment on the standard of the slate.

Has anyone used this company before?

What causes the rustic element in the slate? I am sure i have read on here its oxidization of the metals in the slate?

[Rich H]

Rustic or rusty? Rustic is the way they're cut combined with the quality of the stone, rusty is the ferrous salts oxidising. Wouldn't want much of any of the latter in slate. They should be a nice uniform colour all over.

[stephent]

well they do a normal slate and a rustic copper slate.

The copper slate has gold, yellow colours in it.

[Rich H]

2 for the price of one! Sorry, thought you were describe a fault not a feature!

[stephent]

I suppose I could be describing a fault that they are selling as a feature lol.

Take a look at it and see what you think?

Thanks for the help so far.

[rimexboy]

Hi i cant coment on the slate but ive used nustone in hull they say 10 working days for delivery on the web site but i had to wait 2 days short of 4 weeks, but i was ordering the raj green indian sandstone, they did not inform me of any problems so not the best company to keep you informed but the mrs got their in the end after ringing them every working day..

they advertise on ebay and im sure i found them mentioned on money saving expert as well,

but apart from the wait for the stones i am happy with them.

hope that helps
simon

[stephent]

yes that is helpful thanks.

[Jason Herring]

Hi Stephen
I've laid the Chinese rustic slate you're talking about on a paving job outside. The company I bought it from was Rockford Stone in Middlewich, Cheshire.
I painted the back of each piece with a watered down pva mix before starting to lay and bed the slate on a wet 4:1 grit sand:cement mix.
The slate from Rockford was only 15mm thick on some pieces and I was concerned about this. It's much weaker than Welsh slate of the same thickness and although I was careful I broke 2 of the thinner pieces -they almost crumbled away.
I would stress to Nustone that you require an absolute minimum thickness of 25mm. 35 to 50mm would be nice but unlikely.
I left my joints open and brushed in black Romex to finish.
If your job is only for light use (pedestrian/back garden) and the slate is thick enough I'd encourage you to use it. It looked really nice once finished.
However, if you're thinking about this for a driveway forget it. It's too weak.
I don't use this forum often, but if you'd like more info mail me directly jay@jasonherring.co.uk

[stephent]

they stiplulate that its 20 - 23 mm thick and yes its for a back garden patio.