Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:24 am
Hello everyone,
May I first start by saying what an absolute goldmine of information this site is. Although this is my first post I have browsed the site many times and it has given me advice on many issues that I never thought I'd need help on. Keep up the good work Tony, and all those who contribute to providing all the excellent advice and help.
Anyway, onto my question. We have an old patio of approx 25m2 laid with with 3x2 concrete grey flags which I am going to replace. The garden isn't huge so will probably be reducing the area a touch. Having visited a couple of paving centres the other half saw some Haworth Moor which she really liked,, however with a wedding on the way the cost of it is way beyond our meagre budget (why do women have an ability to automatically pick the most expensive stuff!)
We saw several other brands Bradstone, pavestone etc and would prefer to try and stretch to a natural product if possible, although anything is an improvement over what is there! Not including edgings/sand/cement etc we are probably looking at around £20(+/-)/m£ for the paving, what would your recommendations be in this price range? ie are we better staying clear of natural stone because it may be a bit iffy (non-durable, pain to lay etc) or would £20/m get a reasonable product thats not likely to delaminate after a couple of winters? if not then we'll start looking at alternatives. Not asking anyone to slag off any particular manufacturers or anything like that, just opinions on what you think are reasonable products for that sort of budget.
Also, just out of curiosity (I know it is almost blasphemy to mention!) but why when we went round the Marshalls centre are some of their products 'due to their construction' recommended to be bed using the 5 spot method and then pointed using 'M-point' or whatever it is, i thought 5-spotting was a big no no but they swore blind it was the way to go?
Thanks in advance
John
May I first start by saying what an absolute goldmine of information this site is. Although this is my first post I have browsed the site many times and it has given me advice on many issues that I never thought I'd need help on. Keep up the good work Tony, and all those who contribute to providing all the excellent advice and help.
Anyway, onto my question. We have an old patio of approx 25m2 laid with with 3x2 concrete grey flags which I am going to replace. The garden isn't huge so will probably be reducing the area a touch. Having visited a couple of paving centres the other half saw some Haworth Moor which she really liked,, however with a wedding on the way the cost of it is way beyond our meagre budget (why do women have an ability to automatically pick the most expensive stuff!)
We saw several other brands Bradstone, pavestone etc and would prefer to try and stretch to a natural product if possible, although anything is an improvement over what is there! Not including edgings/sand/cement etc we are probably looking at around £20(+/-)/m£ for the paving, what would your recommendations be in this price range? ie are we better staying clear of natural stone because it may be a bit iffy (non-durable, pain to lay etc) or would £20/m get a reasonable product thats not likely to delaminate after a couple of winters? if not then we'll start looking at alternatives. Not asking anyone to slag off any particular manufacturers or anything like that, just opinions on what you think are reasonable products for that sort of budget.
Also, just out of curiosity (I know it is almost blasphemy to mention!) but why when we went round the Marshalls centre are some of their products 'due to their construction' recommended to be bed using the 5 spot method and then pointed using 'M-point' or whatever it is, i thought 5-spotting was a big no no but they swore blind it was the way to go?
Thanks in advance
John
