The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:59 pm**

Hi,
I'm putting a new patio in at my house and I've been researching different indian sandstone suppliers.
I've basically come up with 2 affordable options. One is uncalibrated stone 35-50mill thickness of varying slab size. The other is an economy grade 18-25mill thickness of varying size slab. The supplier says that the surface of both types looks good so it's based upon cost and usage.
The pation I'm laying isn't huge so cost wise there isn't much in it. Usage of the patio is to be restricted to people, and not that many as the space isn't that big.
One thought was that the economy slabs would be half the weight of the uncalibrated so therefore easier to handle (I'm laying it on my own).
Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone used the economy grade stuff?

Thanks
Sean

Posted: **Mon Jul 05, 2010 2:29 pm**

Not sure if this will help but you could try reading this
http://ext.pavingexpert.com/cgi-bin....ibrated

Posted: **Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:21 pm**

Thanks Bob that has helped. I'm going for the thicker slabs. For the sake of a few quid it's not worth the risk of going for the thinner ones.

When they were describing the mix for the thinner slabs they talked about making it slightly wet. Is that how I should go with the thicker slab or should I make it slightly dry? Also what sort of mix should I look at a 4:1? On the volume calculator it suggest 10:1, will that be strong enough?

Cheers
Sean

Posted: **Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:06 pm**

most of the lads on here would rather use a slightly stronger mix than 10:1 i usually do half a bag of cement to 14 grit sand which equates to around 6:1
i use a wetter mix than most,but if you use a drier mix then you will need to use a bond bridge
a slurry of SBR and neat cement painted on the underside of each flag
LLL

Posted: **Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:38 pm**

Thanks for the advice LLL. I think I'll go with the 6:1, just wanted to make sure as i'm ordering the materials tomorrow.

Is grit sand sharp sand? And the 14 you refer to, is that shovel loads?

Posted: **Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:16 pm**

yes its shovel full ,but of course depends on the size of your shovel
grit sand is flooring or screeding sand
ask for sharp sand round here and you will get plastering sand
which is no good
LLL

Posted: **Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:42 pm**

Thanks for the tip on the sand, could've been an annoying error.

The Brew Cabin

Which grade indian sandstone to use?