Suggestions for terracotta patio - Help!

[Tony McC]

Black limestone - lovely when new but certain types don't remain black for very long. Exposure to bright sunlight cause the limestone to undergo what's known as a photochromic reaction, and the stone sort of 'fades' to a mid- or steely-grey colour.

It doesn't always happen, and due to natural variation in stone, some flags seem to be badly affected while others remain hardly changed at all, but you should be aware of this, because you can guarantee few suppliers will tell you before taking your money.

It can be countered to some extent by using a good quality stone sealant that's suited to limestone. In my somewhat limited experience, I've had good results with Romex Universal, which gives a light gloss, maybe what you'd call 'eggshell' finish, and Advanced Ultra Matt, which is definitely matt. There are several products that have been disastrous, including one that claims to do what it says on the tin, but the tin makes no mention of ruining your patio!

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

Divvydeb, I'm only doing this cause you sound so sweet. If you havent been successful yet, you can try and contact philip Sinclair of Scotkerb who could make your pavers for you, and send them down, the cost of transport offset by his cheaper manuf costs. He is hard to get hold of tho, but has awebsite. A better bet is to find out if the Scott Brothers in Ayelsford near Maidstone would do them for you, 01622 717007. You really want to save money, look at Harristone' s web, and buy yourself 10 moulds to size and texture you want. If you go THIS route I' ll send you dets on how to make your own.

[divvydeb]

Hi all
Have only just seen the replies to my last post, for some reason I didn't get notification, but never mind, here I am.

Things are finally moving on the garden front. Thank you to all who have offered help and suggestions (and been kind enough to say I seem 'sweet' - blushing now).

Needless to say, I won't be installing ANY of the paving that I have previously mentioned, although the black limestone was a near thing, having long ago ditched the whole terracotta idea as impractical and something I'd probably come to regret pretty quickly.

As I may have mentioned, my partner is a landscape gardener, and has just secured a job where the customers are completely redoing their garden (despite the present paving being only 3 yrs old). They are taking up a large buff sandstone circle/squaring off kit and about 8m of granite setts. Partner says it is all top quality stuff and he can't see why they are replacing it but there you go. They have said they don't want these and partner can have them (all helped by a bit of judicious quoting to get the job in the first place). I've also got my eye on some pavers on ebay, as partner says they will look good due to my garden being fairly small, and will complement the sandstone beautifully.

So - after months of searching and planning, I am about to end up with a garden that is very far removed from original plan but sounds like it will be a lot more interesting and more 'me'. Better still it will all be done on a budget and will be very 'green' given the amount of recycling involved!

I'll try and post some pics once it is done - I'm really excited that things are finally going to be moving!!

Roll on summer.

Deb

[lutonlagerlout]

good luck divvydeb
LLL

[divvydeb]

Hi everyone

Wahey, garden makeover finally got underway this weekend and it is already looking totally different. Still loads to do as my partner is now having to fit it in around his landscaping job, and typically he is inundated with work!

Some pics of the work so far - as you will see the Morrocan theme has bitten the dust and we are now looking at more traditional theme.

I'm soooooo excited that I will be able to chill out in my gorgeous garden this summer.

Thanks again.

Deb

Link to pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.p....0fa026a

[cookiewales]

top work done there am impressed good skills :;): :;):

[divvydeb]

Yep - one of the perks of living with a landscape gardener who has been doing this for 26 years

[divvydeb]

Hi all
I know I'm in the wrong thread here but wondered if anyone knows where I can lay my hands on Marshalls Tegula wall copings in Cotswold colour? I tracked some down to Jewsons in Leighton Buzzard but they only have 4 in stock. I have enough bricks to simply use these on their end if necessary but think I would prefer coping stones.
Any thoughts are most welcome.
Deb

[rab1]

Try contacting Marshalls as they should be able to give you a list of stockists

[divvydeb]

After much discussion last night we have decided to go with bricks on end coping, seems to be the obvious way forward when we have ten pallets of bricks sat outside. I do like the flat coping but much of it will be hidden by planting once that gets underway. My other half says bricks on end will be much stronger too, as coping is more easily knocked off.
Will add more pics to album once more progress is made. I'm now on the hunt for a nice water feature!

Thanks again.
Deb

[mickg]

listen to your better half Deb

[London Stone Paving]

Hi

We supply Gold leaf sandstone. Its not an exact match to the terracotta that you are looking for but its not a million miles away either. The price is pretty keen at £18 + VAT per m2 and the quality is very good. Check out the link:

http://www.londonstone.com/Exterio....ndstone

We have a showroom 1/2 mile from junction 14 of the M25 with loads of different types of natural stone. If you need to discuss any details get in touch @ steven@londonstone.com

Thanks

[divvydeb]

Mick, so much for listening to my better half!

I started off with ten packs of bricks, sold 7 and kept 3, all on advice of so called 'better' half. Walls now finished and ready for copings but other half has informed me that we don't have enough bricks to do brick on end so will have to find coping stones after all. You couldn't make it up. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. And that's before I get going on huge crack which has appeared in one of the walls (but have started another thread elsewhere for that so won't go into it here lol).
Plumbers always live in leaky houses etc - methinks it is true after all.

[mickg]

blimey Deb you could of guessed it nearer than having 10 packs

would it not of been better to run a tape measure over the area to see how many brick you would of needed

length x width x height x how many walls you have gives you the square metre's you would require then times this by 60 bricks to the metre is how many you would order and maybe add 20 - 30 more in case any are damaged or to the nearest full packs anyway

now this may sound stupid but how on earth did you work out that you would need 10 packs when you are 7 over, well 7 minus what your now short anyway ?

[ispaving]

how about something like this?