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Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:17 am
by PaulS
I need to lay some sandstone flags on a series of curved steps leading down into the garden.
The radius of the steps range from 6.5m (top step) to 11.5m (bottom step) The steps all have the same tread depth (1m) but get wider as they go into the garden.
The sandstone comes in 18m/sq patio packs of 7 sizes as follows:
300x300mm x4
600x300 x 16
450x450 x 16
600x450 x 16
300x900 x 12
600x600 x 4
600x900 x 4
According to the instructions they need to be laid in a set pattern.
I was reading through the site and I was thinking of doing a ring radius for the curved steps but this only looks possible if using flags of the same size.
Can this be done using flags of different sizes? The only other way I can see it working is if I lay the stones according to the pattern (without tri-square cutting) and then cut the curved edge of the step with an angle grinder but this probably wouldn't look as good as I would then need to hand dress the edges.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:22 pm
by Rich H
hmm. You don't need to lay them according to a set pattern and it would be impractical anyway in your application. You will need a lot of stone and some way of getting rid of the off cuts. I'd suggest you allow as much as 20% wastage.
The only way to do this is to have the riser face level with the top of the tread. I've got some examples somewhere which I'll upload.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:28 pm
by Rich H
Same 7 sizes:
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:59 pm
by Rich H
Just finished today - two radii together:
Pavestone "Bloody Awful Raj Blend" with matching "Have-to-drive-to-Watford-to-get-it" circle kit with special missing segment for the adventurous landscaper.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:04 pm
by Rich H
A virtual pat on the back for who can tell which is the segment that had to be made 
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:53 pm
by PaulS
Rich H wrote:hmm. You don't need to lay them according to a set pattern and it would be impractical anyway in your application. You will need a lot of stone and some way of getting rid of the off cuts. I'd suggest you allow as much as 20% wastage.
The only way to do this is to have the riser face level with the top of the tread. I've got some examples somewhere which I'll upload.
So basically I should lay them according to what gives the least wastage when cutting the curved edge but ensuring I keep the pattern fairly random.
I'm not sure a brick edging would look right in my case. I was hoping to create a slight overhang with the flags on the step edge for water to run off and render the riser but then the edges would have to be hand finished once cut.
Is this not recommended or suitable for steps?
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:17 pm
by Rich H
It's fine, but immensely difficult to hand cut well enough. Some suppliers do large matching setts of 150mm or 200mm width which you could do in a radius in front of the machine curve-cut slabs.
Tony has a section on cutting natural stone:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/cut_in01.htm
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:43 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Rich H wrote:A virtual pat on the back for who can tell which is the segment that had to be made
the 3rd one from the left?
btw nice jobs there mate
only thing i would constructively criticise is that on the first one the risers on the steps are different heights
i know its a nightmare sometimes ,but having a 75mm step then a 130mm step causes ppl to go A over T especially when the BBQ is in full swing 
however, having said that they both look the dogs nuts
LLL
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:15 pm
by Rich H
Sorry, it's not that one!
The step was a real problem as the lawn slopes away from the POV in the shot. I tried to explain the issues with heights to the client but he was one of these fellas who didn't necessarily listen and got his own brickie in to do the step and the new radiused retaining wall (which falls 40mm over 4m!). This was the same client who thought it was a good idea to test my bedding course by clonking the slabs with a 4' spirit level. Long, sad story.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:30 pm
by andpartington
[quote]This was the same client who thought it was a good idea to test my bedding course by clonking the slabs with a 4' spirit level. Long, sad story.[quote]
if it was yours charge him for it
andy
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:53 pm
by Tony McC
That doesn't look like Rajpura Green: it looks like a few Raj mixed in with Autumn and Desert Browns!
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:22 pm
by Rich H
Couldn't agree more. In defence of Pavestone, they actually call it 'Raj Blend' rather than the usual 'Raj Green'.