Slab recommendations - Contemporary look

[SaraJH]

Hi,

I've posted in The Craic for a tradesman recommendation but thought I'd ask for ideas now in here. Apologies, I know that this site is predominantly for professionals and I hope you don't mind my questions.

I've got a budget of approx £30 sqm for flags/ slabs for a patio of approx 50 sqm. Labour on top.

Can I get a stone patio that has butted up slabs/ no grout for a very modern look within my budget?

Thanks
Sara

[KLS]

have a look at london stones website, londonstone.co.uk

[lutonlagerlout]

i think 30 is too low for contemporary sawn and too high for riven

you can get some nice sawn stuff for around the 38 mark
LLL

[lemoncurd1702]

As an alternative and assuming you're open to concrete products have you considered block paving, very tight joints.
Marshalls Drivesett Tegula £16.95m2 Savannah £14.5
Bradstone panache £28? Last year.
Brett Beta £18?

For slabs the lighter coloured granites are reasonable I think last year about £28, Fairstone slate about the same, sawn sides but riven surface.

[London Stone Paving]

Hello Sarah

One option that would fall in your budget would be granite as advised by lemon curd.

We supply a couple of different types for £27 + VAT which are right on budget

http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-p....-paving

http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-p....-paving

An another option that would fall well under budget would be kota blue limestone. Its consistent in colour and although its a riven product it has a fairly flat surface. Its also got a machine cut edge which helps to achieve the sharp lines you are looking for. Its only £20 + VAT a metre and its very popular with people trying to achieve a contemporary scheme on a lower budget.

http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-p....-paving

A couple more things top consider are that, in order to achieve a contemporary look you dont always have to use sawn paving. You can achieve a contemporary look by using a single size paving stone or by using a product that is consistent in colour.

I see from your profile that you are based in Staffordshire. Are you North or south staffs? I'm from Trentham myself originally so I know the area very well.

If you need any further advice shout up

Steve

[SaraJH]

Thanks all,

Good to know I'm not way off budget wise, will have a look at those suggestions but I'm really not keen on block paving type size.

Steve, we definitely want one size, uniform pattern and colour (light). Will take a look around your site, many thanks.

We're from East Staffs! A few miles from Burton on Trent, so if you know any contractors that could do a good job for us that would be great!

Sara.

[SaraJH]

Had a good look around the London Stone site and typically I love a stone that's out of budget! the Harvest Sawn Sandstone.

Can anyone commend anything similar but cheaper or am I asking too much?

Thanks

[lutonlagerlout]

harvest sawn is lovely stone
If I were you I would save up and get it
LLL

[SaraJH]

Thanks LLL,

I think I will have to revisit the budget as I've not seen anything else that comes close to it for the look we are after and in the big scheme of things the extra isn't huge. I'll have to see if I can save anything when we do the front drive later, that's about 70sqm, this landscaping lark is expensive compared to a few rolls of wallpaper inside!

Oh, and in having a good read of this site I think we are going to have interesting drainage issues (read, expense...) with the patio....

[r896neo]

I like kandla grey for contemporary schemes as its less riven than softer sandstones and is quite a uniform colour.

Its in a different league to sawn stone though.

[Tony McC]

If you've 50m² and had budgeted 30 quid/m² for the flags, with the Harvest costing roughly 50 quid/m² (incl the VAT etc), you need an extra grand to buy in the stone. All the other factors (bedding, jointing, labour, etc.) are the same.

I know it's easy for me to say, as it's not a grand out of my pocket, but too many years in this game tells me that, when clients opt for their lower-cost second choice, they often come to regret it once the job is complete, or a few months later. The number of times I've heard...."If only we'd spent that few quid extra...." stories!

Even if it means waiting an extra few months while you save up, or not feeding one of the kids for a few weeks, it's best to go with what you really want....after all, you have to look at that paving for an awful long time to come!

[SaraJH]

Tony you are spot on re saving for our preferred option.

I've ordered some samples today from London Stone but I'm fairly sure I know what we'll end up ordering, we will also need some steps and the matching/ complimentary sawn bullnose steps look fabulous.

The rest of the garden (lawn and beds) will look a mess but at least the patio won't!!

[London Stone Paving]

Hello Sara

The harvest is a good choice. Its also a bit cheaper if you opted for the 600x400 size which is one of the smaller sizes we do.

I am afraid I dont know many contractors based in that area. Have you managed to get anyone lined up yet?

Steve

[SaraJH]

Hi Steve,

Got the samples I requested from you, thanks. Just getting a few quotes in now, from meeting the guys I think they will do a good job, will definitely want to see some of their work before taking a decision as whichever way I look at this, it's going to be expensive and I only want to pay once!!

Thanks for all the help
Sara.