The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2008 11:35 am**

As the title suggests really.

I've never had to worry about buying paving before so I know nothing about the subject.

Went to the local builders merchant last Saturday and found 3 different slabs that we liked, Castacrete Stonecraft Rutland at Â£15m2, Marshalls Heritage at Â£24m2 and Stoneflair Purestone at Â£32m2.

I can understand the extra cost of the Stoneflair slabs as they are real stone and there are I expect more costs associated with quarrying and added value.

What I don't get is what is so different about the first 2 to justify the big difference.

What qualities and features should I be looking for when buying slabs?

For info I am paving an area of 10x10ft narrowing to an adjacent area of 8x6ft plus a path 35ft in length. Will only see light foot traffic and will be used for sitting/eating out.

I guess you get what you pay for but I'm unclear what you are paying for. My father is a tightwad who bought the cheapest slabs he could get hold of 30yrs ago and they still look fine to my untrained eye.

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Darren

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2008 9:15 pm**

This is a HUGE subject, and it's not helped by you comparing concrete with stone.

In short (I just don't have a spare couple of hours to explain the subtle differences ion paving) all three of the products you mention are fair-to-good quality. While not wishing to offend any particular manufacturer (more than I already do), I think it could be said that Marshalls' Heritage is slightly better than Castacrete's Stonecraft, but there's not much in it. StoneFlair Purestone can't be compared because it;s not concrete: it's akin to comparing apples with bananas - yes, they're both fruit, but that about all they have in common.

I'd suggest you decide first whether you want genuine stone or a concrete copy. Then decide whether you want top-of-the-range, middling, or bargain basement.

In all honesty, any of the products mentioned would be absolutely fine, and if you shop around, you can get better prices than those you've quoted.

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2008 10:01 pm**

Thanks for the prompt response.

I understand that stone and concrete are very different but what I don't understand is what the advantages/disadvantages of either are.

If as you say Marshalls is only slightly better than Castacrete how do they justify their prices?

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2008 10:19 pm**

BMW are more expensive than volkswagons,which in turn are more expensive than seat, etc etc

you only have a relatively small area and the groundwork will be the same ,so my advice would be look at what you like then see what you can afford

the labour cost wont be much different, and the laying detail more or less the same, just the cost of the slabs

i dont know where in herts you are, but try gibbs and dandys or butterfields in luton ,they both have extensive display areas ,so you can gauge better what the slabs/flags look like laid

dont get yourself tied up in knots over the whys and wheres of prices ,its a pointless exercise
better to get what you like

regards LLL

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2008 10:23 pm**

What LLL said is very good advice. The surface is only a small element of the total cost.

You can do better - much better - than Â£24 for Heritage. The merchant mark-up on that is massive compared to the manufacturer's price to them.

The Brew Cabin

What to look for when buying slabs