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Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:04 pm
by cheshire_cat
Hi
I have enjoyed reading all the tips etc on this website over the last few weeks and it has really helped me to understand some (but not all) of the jargon.
I want to lay Indian stone (approx 90 sq. mtrs) for a patio/footpath, I have decided that I prefer the sawn/honed stone and have seen some at a local building supplier who ‘imports’ direct from India, he called it ‘Rainbow’, I have a few questions which I hope the forum can advise me with.
I apologise in advance if the questions seem basic but I find it difficult talking direct to building supplier as he assumes that as a female I do not understand technicalities and should just accept his word, he maybe right.
1:Is 22mm thick enough for a patio/garden footpath.
2: Would it be better laid on a concrete base
3: I have read on this forum about ‘sealing’ the underside of the stone to help stop residue coming through – is this a real issue (especially considering the 22mm thickness) or a temporary problem that will go away with natural weathering.
In anticipation
Many thanks
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:36 pm
by London Stone Paving
Hello
1. 22mm is ok for a domestic footpath/patio
2. In my opinion exterior paving should be laid onto a base of compacted MOT type 1. Laying on a concrete base would not be a bad thing but I think its over kill and will be more expensive than MOT Type 1
3. Any residue that comes through will go away with time, so you dont need to seal the bottoms. This issue has come up on the forum before and the general consensus is that as well as not being necessary, sealing the underside could actually compromise the adhesion between the underside of the stone and the bedding layer.
4. Have you considered sealing the top of the stone?. Rainbow is quite soft and will absorb moisture and dirt easily. Selaing will help to prevent this. We always reccomend sealing the stone a couple of months after installation.
Hope thats helpful
Good luck
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:32 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i concur with the above 100%
LLL :;):
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:53 am
by cheshire_cat
Do you have a preference in regard to sealants.
Many thanks for your advice I much appreciate it.
Thanks Again
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:49 pm
by London Stone Paving
There are a few brands of seal available on the market. We used to supply only lithofin but have since started to supply LTP as well.
LTP is cheaper than lithofin and in my opinion gives a very similar performance.
Lithofin have a product called stain stop and LTP sell a very similar product called Mattstone. The cost per litre of lithofin stain stop is approx £10 per litre more than LTP Mattstone. The only slight drawback to the LTP is that it will enhance the colour of the stone more than lithofin. However if you have chosen rainbow sawn sandstone then you are obviously not scared of a bit of colour
Rainbow is quite soft and will soak up a lot of sealant. You will need 1 litre per 8m2 to give 2 coats
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:48 am
by cheshire_cat
Many thanks for your comments, especially regarding the characteristics of the rainbow sandstone, it has put a doubt in my mind. Is there a chart somewhere which indicates such characteristics (soft, water & dirt egress)?
My husband is due home from hospital shortly so I think I would now prefer to wait and for both of us to view the stone as I think in hindsight you could be right a 2 sq mtr sample will look nothing compared to 90 sq mtrs.
The only real decision I have taken is that I don't want a riven stone, much prefer the smooth/honed appearance.
Thanks again
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 2:05 pm
by London Stone Paving
Hi C cat
The intention was not to put a doubt in your mind, just to make you aware of the characteristics of the rainbow stone. It would not be my first choice simply for the reason of colour and style, not for reaons of durability.
The rainbow is widely available in paving and tiles but in my opinion is best suited to bespoke and novelty items such as spheres and carvings etc.
I would imagine you will be paying somewhere in the region of £23-£25 per m2 + VAT for the rainbow sawn sandstone. This is good price for sawn material but its cheap for a reason. The reason is because it is soft and can be cut quickly and easily. I have seen the stuff been cut on block saws in India. It probarbly takes 3 or 4 times longer to cut the Kota stones (raj green, autumn brown, kandla grey) as it does to cut rainbow, but if you want to buy sawn kota stone then its a minimum of £40 + VAT per m2.
Its all relative and you generally get what you pay for. If you need any further advice dont hesitate to give me a shout.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:55 am
by cheshire_cat
I am grateful for your comments and appreciate your advice. We are planning to start looking around again looking for the stones you mentioned.
I have seen some but they were very riven looking.
By the way the price of the sawn rainbow was £18 per sq mtr
Thanks again
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:23 pm
by ryana
So I need some help and reassurance regarding a sewn sandstone patio slabs that I recently laid.
The slabs are 22mm thick and are a ivory creme colour.
The slabs have been laid onto a wettish sand/cement mix. Once the slabs were down for a short while(about 20 mins), they started to looks wet on the top of the slabs. I did figure that with it being a pourous material that it was soaking up the water in the sand/cement mix.
I did a bit of research to see how long it would it would take to dry out and I have read a lot of information about 'picture framing' and the wet patches not disappearing and staying wet. Worse yet I've also read that the slab pulls some of the cement into the slab and that ends up staining.
1.) Will the slabs eventually dry out? Can I do anything to speed up the process?is picture framing permanent?
2.) If it does dry out but it leaves stains, is there anything I can do to remove stains?
3.) I haven't finished the whole patio and if it is advised to not continue with a wet sand/cement mix, can someone suggest the best mix or way to lay the slabs so that it doesnt absorb moisture from the bottom?
4.) Is it then suggested to seal the top of the slabs? if so, how long after they have been layed?
Thanks very much and awaiting as much feedback as possible
Regards
R.
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:02 am
by lutonlagerlout
1 yes of course they will dry out
2 let them dry out first
3 I always use a wet mix with indian stone and have yet to have picture framing,I find the stones are adhered to the bed better
4 leave it at least a couple of weeks to a month,but what you need is bone dry warm weather
Its worth adding 50-100ml of sbr to the mix
LLL