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Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 5:26 pm
by alessex
Hi there, Sorry to ask but hate over doing things im in process of doing a patio, the size is 20 x 12 ft approx thats my downfall ive not gone metric as yet! already dug out and level over the area of around 5 inches, got my type 1 in mot grade to around 4 inches not as yet compacted and have plenty to spare, im going to lay indian sandstone by global stone noticed they do project packs mixed different sizes was going to buy 2 of these, dont mind a couple of yards left over as can be used elsewhere,Im going to lay on a wet mix as per websites guidance how many yards of sand+cement will i need for this etc? and am i over doing it buying x 2 13.20 m packs by alot? any help about laying patterns etc pack consists of 15x 275x275 +15x275x560 +x13 560x560+12 845x560 any help would be appreciated.
Thankyou 
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:05 pm
by Tony McC
I don't understand why Global Stone can't answer these questions for you - after all; they're selling you summat, whereas I'm just an impartial by-stander making no money from you at all!
I'm not sure whether you're referring to this website when you state that you'll be laying on a wet mix, but it's not a method I would advocate unless there were excep[tional circumstances, and they would have to be exceptionally exceptional before I'd sanction its use with these imported sandstones.
20' is roughly 6m and 12' is roughly 3.6m, so you've around 22m² in total. As for laying patterns - ask Global Stone. I don't see why I should give away my work to help sell a product from which I don't make a bean! Other retailers provide "suggested laying patterns" so why don't they? My design associates have laying patterns for sale and can produce custom layouts to suit any given area, but, like Global Stone, they don't give away stuff for nowt!
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:36 pm
by alessex
How Much are plans? global stone are advertised throughout this site so thought where best to ask, actually asking them is like asking someone at b&q do you know where the window sash chord is kept, as to wet mix ive read that here and also comments not to use on imported sandstone so bit undecided,do you have a mix calculator here or do i just buy tons of it and use the rest to build the kids a sandpit 
any advice welcomed
Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 2:00 pm
by InfAddict
This site provides links to manufacturers/stockists/quarries that should provide quality products and good customer service. It doesn't provide customer service free of charge that should be coming from the company itself!
Anyhow, for plans I think Tony will charge depending on the area and complexity of the project. Not wanting to take business away from Tony, but for a small project like this its really worth having a go yourself.
If you're computer literate try using a package such as Microsoft Visio and create rectangles equivalent to the flag sizes you are buying. You can them copy & paste these rectangles into an predefined area (i.e. your backgarden for example) and get a fairly accurate plan. Of course, you will need to allow for mortar pointing in between each flag (e.g. 10mm) but over the small area you are covering this won't make that much difference.
If you can get a simple CAD package then these are also excellent for creating plans. If you have neither, visit www.download.com and search for CAD and there are plenty of free trials out there.
As a last resort, use paper and scissors! No matter how you do it, as long as you get the scale right its pretty easy. I've just planned 42 square metres in a 3 size random pattern using Microsoft Visio. I added 5mm to each side of the flag to create a 10mm mortar joint between them. Zooming in I could accurately place flags side by side including mortar joints. Good thing I did as when I tallied up the amount of each size I needed, the BM was way off it what they'd estimated!
As for using a wet mix, I would take note of Tony's comments as he knows a thing or two about this business :;):
There are several calculators on this site, including one to estimate quantities for bedding mix. Have a look at the Calculators link from the Site Map.
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 10:29 am
by Tony McC
Global Stone are not "advertised throughout this site". They are mentioned a few times, as they do have a good selection of materials and tend to offer a better-than-average level of customer service. However, NO-ONE is advertised on this site - I do not accept adverts as they would compromise my impartiality.
And all I can do is repeat my earlier statemnt: I do not advocate laying on a wet mix. It's too bloody messy and causes too many problems with picture-framing. There may be comments from some of the Brew cabin Irregulars that they prefer not to use imported sandstone, but that's just their opinion. I don't have a problem with it when it's laid correctly on the right sort of project.
I don't provide a calculator for the 140mm modular imported sandstone, mainly because when I did, it was misappropriated by a certain distributor and appeared on their website without my agreement. I had to set the pet <spit> lawyer on them to get them to remove it, and given that the imported sandstone trade has more than its fair share of rogues, I decided to remove temptation from their path, so to speak. Some of the better suppliers ply me with ale in exchange for working out an order for them every now and again, but, by and large, the better suppliers can usually work out what mix of sizes to supply for any given area.
The custom plans supplied via this site are usually created by my cousin (I'm normally too busy, but I taught her everything I know!) and she charges based on area. If you want her to give you a price, email using the Design Enquiry Form