Any logic to these slab sizes? - Strange dimensions in patio pack...

[pcdoc]

Hello,

I have some packs of machine sawn/honed sandstone with perfectly straight and uniform edges. There is no variation in sizes between slabs.

Sizes are all exactly as listed below- I have measured them and no allowances have been made for mortar joints).

I was gonna lay a random pattern, but the sizes arent modular (almost, but not quite). I really dont want to vary mortar joint widths.

I imagine the sizes aren't random, so there must be some pattern they were intended for. They were surplus following a big supply contract so Marshalls dont have a recommended layout.

Anyone recognise the sizes from a previous job using 'patio packs'?

800x500mm
500x500mm
500x375mm
500x245mm
245x245mm

There are 15 of each size per pallet. The bold sizes are causing the confusion.

Thanks in advance.

-Michael.

[Tony McC]

They are a "gauged width" set of dimensions, intended to be laid as coursework, although the inclusion of the 245mm units does allow for a very limited degree of course jumpers to be introduced.

It would be possible to design a random-ish layout, but it would not be as random-looking as the layouts designed for genuinely modular sizes.

[ambient]

ive just laid a load of these in random layout the problem is the largest flag doesnt fit everything else does so you have to cut about 55 mm off it so it fits makes it 745 x500 ???

[pcdoc]

Thanks Tony & Ambient,

I had been messing with google sketchup, rearranging the tiles for ages. I did end up with what could be only be described as 'coursework' with a few 'jumpers'. Didnt like all those long straight lines.

I was also cursing the extra length of the biggest slab.

I'll go back to sketchup and chop down the big tile and try again. Wont be much fun cutting the 105 tiles, but I will do it if I have to.

The slab edges are very clean and neat, so a slab splitter will be too rough, and I've never been too exact with a stihl saw, so I'll give the job to my big tile cutter. It has went through granite tiles beautifully, so sandstone should be no prob. Max cut width is 520mm so just okay.

I'll post back with how I get on.

Thanks again

-Michael

[pcdoc]

Excellent,
They now fit into a random layout nicely.

Ambient, - I had to tweak your numbers to make it work.

I to cut off 45mm (not 55mm) to make the slabs 755mm (not 745mm).

I see however, if I had three 245mm slabs beside the big slab, your numbers would be right.

Its enough to make my brain hurt. I'll need to triple check the sizes of each slab as they come off the pallets and be REALLY careful when planning it. Easy to get confused.

Here is a 10m2 layout I put together in sketchup (stole pattern from some trustone patio pack (but it fits).

-Michael.

[ambient]

if you go on dalestone website there is patterns on there look for one with five sizes,the one youve got there looks ok though

[lutonlagerlout]

i would actually wait till you start laying before you cut any tiles pcdoc,cut in haste repent at your leisure
ambient has used them so in a practical world his measurements are probably correct
LLL

[ambient]

dont cut them all at once i would lay some of the flags out on floor correctly spaced in your pattern that will give an idea for the measurement to cut,then cut 2 or 3 and then lay them properly to make sure they fit before cutting loads,personaly would use stihl saw rather than bench cutter ???

[pcdoc]

wise words, indeed. Thanks.

I'm just being exact 'on paper' for now, to allow me to draw it up on google sketchup. Still working on that just now.

The size I mentioned allows the pieces to line up correctly on screen. I'm sure some real life tweaking will be needed when push comes to shove.

I'll keep posting about it in this thread as plans progress.

Thanks again, it really is appreciated.

-Michael.