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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:56 pm
by RAPressureWashing
London Stone Paving wrote:cobby22 wrote:Steve
Thanks Steve,
I do like the blue grey granite, is it the darker of the 2 types you sell? I believe these need sealing which I fear may tip it over my budget! Is this advised?
Many thanks for your advice!
As Roger says, any stone will benefit from being sealed but some benefit more than others.
Blue grey granite is a very hardy, robust stone and as such does not need to be sealed, so you could discount this from your costings.
Blue grey granite is the darker of the 2 granites we supply
Cheers
Steve[/quote]
Agree with you Steve, IMO most Granite and slate for that matter does not always need sealing, both dense stones.
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:18 am
by Carberry
R&A Pressure Washing wrote:Carberry
Any natural stone should NOT have any acid near it unless you know which ones to use.
Most wouldn't be damaged with neat acid from builder's merchants.
Go near limestone with some orange juice, wine, vinegar etc and it is a write off.
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:52 am
by RAPressureWashing
Carberry wrote:R&A Pressure Washing wrote:Carberry
Any natural stone should NOT have any acid near it unless you know which ones to use.
Most wouldn't be damaged with neat acid from builder's merchants.
Go near limestone with some orange juice, wine, vinegar etc and it is a write off.
And which Acid is that Brick by any chance? and what percentage is it. Limestone does mark easily very true but then so does most surfaces if the wrong products are used.
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 5:04 pm
by Carberry
R&A Pressure Washing wrote:Limestone does mark easily very true but then so does most surfaces if the wrong products are used.
5% HCL I think... would have to find a jug of it to check back and confirm but regardless of that, the point is that no child should have access to acid but the other products I mentioned will be readily available to them.
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:17 pm
by RAPressureWashing
Carberry wrote:R&A Pressure Washing wrote:Limestone does mark easily very true but then so does most surfaces if the wrong products are used.
5% HCL I think... would have to find a jug of it to check back and confirm but regardless of that, the point is that no child should have access to acid but the other products I mentioned will be readily available to them.
I didn't mean the kids having access to brick acid!!!
The statement is more aimed at people using brick (hydrochloric) acid without knowing or understanding the damage it can cause.
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:49 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I will put my hands up here 
I decided to acid some mortar stains off a black concrete slab patio
uh-oh
I now know I should have pre wet the patio
I didnt and it etched all the places where the acid hit
LLL
Edited By lutonlagerlout on 1412110195
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:05 am
by cobby22
London Stone Paving wrote:cobby22 wrote:Steve
Thanks Steve,
I do like the blue grey granite, is it the darker of the 2 types you sell? I believe these need sealing which I fear may tip it over my budget! Is this advised?
Many thanks for your advice!
As Roger says, any stone will benefit from being sealed but some benefit more than others.
Blue grey granite is a very hardy, robust stone and as such does not need to be sealed, so you could discount this from your costings.
Blue grey granite is the darker of the 2 granites we supply
Cheers
Steve[/quote]
Thanks for the advice Steve, much appreciated.
As well as granite I really like your black/blue slate paving. Do you envisage any long term problems in using this for a family patio and will it hold up as well as granite over time?
I am also considering Kandla Grey sandstone - is this a good choice in comparison to slate and granite? Its a very good price and also looks great!
Thanks!
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:28 pm
by London Stone Paving
All the three products you mentioned are very robust and hard wearing.
Get the right quality Slate and you will find it to be a durable stone that requires very little maintenance. This advice does not apply to Indian slate though which on the whole is absolutely shocking in quality and appearance IMO . The majority of slate sold in the UK will come from China and the quality is generally very good. Brazilian slate is also available and is superior to Chinese stuff but obviously comes with a price tag to match.
We have had Chinese slate laid at our showroom for years and its barely changed in appearance.
Kandla grey is a very hard sandstone from India and is very good value for money. If you are on a budget then this is worth a consideration but IMO the granite is the best value for money.
The granite is sawn six sides and it only costs a bit more than slate. Obviously you could save a few quid by going for the Kandla grey but your going to have to look at this patio for many years so it makes sense to buy the best material you can. Whatever stone you go for you will still have the same installation costs so going for a better stone is not going to massively increase the cost of the whole project
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 5:43 pm
by lutonlagerlout
sawn paving for a novice would be twice as quick to install compared to riven paving
its probably 15% quicker for the pros but the experience kicks in for us
kandla grey is a fairly even stone as sandstone goes but it is nowhere near as smooth as sawn
cheers LLL
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 9:45 am
by cobby22
London Stone Paving wrote:All the three products you mentioned are very robust and hard wearing.
Get the right quality Slate and you will find it to be a durable stone that requires very little maintenance. This advice does not apply to Indian slate though which on the whole is absolutely shocking in quality and appearance IMO . The majority of slate sold in the UK will come from China and the quality is generally very good. Brazilian slate is also available and is superior to Chinese stuff but obviously comes with a price tag to match.
We have had Chinese slate laid at our showroom for years and its barely changed in appearance.
Kandla grey is a very hard sandstone from India and is very good value for money. If you are on a budget then this is worth a consideration but IMO the granite is the best value for money.
The granite is sawn six sides and it only costs a bit more than slate. Obviously you could save a few quid by going for the Kandla grey but your going to have to look at this patio for many years so it makes sense to buy the best material you can. Whatever stone you go for you will still have the same installation costs so going for a better stone is not going to massively increase the cost of the whole project
Thanks Steve. One more question I promise!
Kota Blue Limestone - does this have all the characteristics of black limestone (ie. fading, easily stained etc.) but to a lesser extent? I really like the look, feel and texture of black limestone but was wondering if the Kota Blue would be a better option. Can you recommend this for family use? Obviously the price is very reasonable too!
Thanks again!
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:31 pm
by London Stone Paving
Its funny you ask that. Kota blue is my favourite stone!
The colour doesnt fade and its pretty low maintenance, would have no problems reccomending it for family use.
The only thing it has in common with black limestone is that its very sensitive to acid. So dont use any acid based cleaners on it and make sure that no cement is spilled onto the stone during installation and if any mortar spills do occur, make sure they are wiped off immediately.
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:10 pm
by cobby22
Thanks to all of you for the great advice, its very much appreciated.
Its decision time now!
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:56 pm
by danstan
Hi
see the following images of my brothers garden.
Kandla Grey (silver mist)
http://www.pinterest.com/bartonfields/silver-mist-natural-sandstone/
regards
Dan
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:59 pm
by danstan
and i have just had patio completed with Blue Limestone, 60x90cm single size.. a great material
photos to follow
Dan
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:57 pm
by lutonlagerlout
that work is outstanding dan
sorry i always forget to mention you as a supplier 
who installed that ?
love the black grey and slate finish
LLL