Contemporary look - on the cheap - Council flags?

[wiredcharlie]

We're just about to get our back garden sorted out. It's not level so there will be some terracing and patio on two levels. The look is crisp and contemporary, not country garden. The total patio area is approximately 75m². After having a tour of the local builders merchants it would appear that for each step in quality or desirability of paving, the price doubles. And you can have anything you like as long as it's Marshalls or Indian Sandstone or Council Flags.

Now, initially grey Indian Sandstone seemed quite appealing, until I read that it likes to go green almost immediately; and it's riven and so is probably not going to look crisp and contemporary.

So, the joker in the pack is the council flags. They are at the bottom of the price doubling curve. If laid perfectly flat with no gap between slabs I think they might look quite good over quite large areas.

Has anyone seen or done this. Or do I need my head looking at?

Much appreciated

Tony

[Carberry]

Not seen a job done with council greys that I like the look of. What is your budget?

Try look around this site: London Stone
Found them to be better than any builder's merchants i've dealt with.

Could also try the Marshall's shop on ebay, sometimes get some bargains there.

[wiredcharlie]

In terms of a budget, I feel uncomfortable at >£2G on slabs. The ever resourceful Mrs Wiredcharlie found this:
http://www.buildersuperstore.co.uk/categor....xt.html
Has anyone dealt with these guys? Is it decent stuff?

Tony

[London Stone Paving]

Charlie

Please dont use council greys. There is nothing wrong with them, but you will not achieve the contemporary look you are aiming for.

Indian grey sandstone is one of the hardest Indian sandstones. If your garden is northfacing then it might develop algae but so would lots of materials. If your garden is reasonably dry then it will stay fresh. Also Grey Indian sandstone is one of the most least riven of all the riven sandstones. If you used a single size you would be able to create a contemporary garden with grey indian sandstone.

Kota blue limestone is another product which works well in contemporary settings but wont break the budget

Cheers

Steve

[London Stone Paving]

In terms of a budget, I feel uncomfortable at >£2G on slabs. The ever resourceful Mrs Wiredcharlie found this:
http://www.buildersuperstore.co.uk/categor....xt.html
Has anyone dealt with these guys? Is it decent stuff?

Tony

Its very cheap but one thing I noticed is that the thickness is 15-25mm. I have never known for granite to be supplied in a varied thickness like that.

If your buying stone, its best to buy it from a specialist stone supplier. They will be able to answer all your technical questions and if things go wrong they will be able to fix it

[wiredcharlie]

OK, thanks chaps. No-one said
"I saw this brilliant contemporary garden project that used council flags..."
...so I'll put that idea in the box marked crazy.

I've ordered some samples from London Stone (thank you, Steve).

The Midnight Black Limestone caught my eye particularly. How does it cope in the damp outdoors?

Tony (wiredcharlie)

[r896neo]

I have one client who has a large terrace done in 900x600's laid in a stretcher bond. Pesonally i think it looks great and matches the rendered slightly 30's house well.

That said it doesn;t like contemporary as such but more 'modern' in the architectural sense

[London Stone Paving]

The Midnight Black Limestone caught my eye particularly. How does it cope in the damp outdoors?

The midnight black is ok with the dampe but it does fade. You can seal it to reduce the fading but it is an extra expense and it will need to be repeated once every year to 18 months. I would go with kota blue everytime. Very contemporaray, good price, low maintenance

Steve