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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:18 pm
by bird
Hiya
I am trying to specify flags [400 wide, random coursed] and setts [200 wide random coursed] and cubes [150x150x150] in one project. The setts will be for a driveway, and the rest for foot traffic only. Each paving type will be touching the next. They are all granite.
3 questions:
1. Is flexible construction the most suitable type? (does it allow water through into the ground? - trying to do my bit environmentally speaking)
2. Can I use romex [Rompex Drain] or easipoint mortars with flexible construction methods? [I am guessing not. But if Rompex drain allows water through, where does it go in a rigid construction?]
3. If I have to use sand in the joints, can you get a coloured one, or will it all turn dirty grey in the end anyway?
I have looked on the website and tied my bird brain in knots trying to work this one out. Any wise words would be appreciated.
:;):
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:16 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i would have thought rigid construction would be best with sets etc.
you can always use linear drains so that surface water goes back into a suitable sokaway
i have to say the old romex does go a bit dirty in this island after a time but it does the job well,the alternative is mortar pointing or slurry and polish
IMHO
LLL
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:36 pm
by bird
Thanks for the advice LLL, I'll go for a rigid base. What about easipoint? What is the most cost effective and good quality pointing? I have heard that easipoint is not messy and is quick to do.
Also, do you think it is worth doing the whole lot with a rigid base? There is quite a large area which will be larger slabs and only foot traffic.
cheers
bird 
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:39 pm
by lutonlagerlout
well flexible base is only really suitable for block paving,and although i havent used easipoint i have had it recommended by 3 different sources that i trust
so i would say rigid base,acos ,easi point and SUDS
cheers LLL
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:30 pm
by Tony McC
The choice between flexible or rigid construction is best determined by considering how large an area is involved.
Bear in mind that, with flexible construction, you must construct robust restraining edge courses, which are rigid. Once you've done this, how much space is left for the rest of the paving?
Next, consider the materials you're planning to use. If these are cropped setts/cubes, they can be awkward to lay on a flexible bed, especially if you're not familiar with laying setts, and a rigid laying course can often be more forgiving.
However, rigid beds need rigid joints, and this ramps up the price considerably. If you were to consider 150x150x150 cubes (these are bloody big cubes - why have you gone for 150mm depth?), then each square metre laid rigidly with a nominal 10mm joint would use approx 30kg of jointing (at full depth). Let's be more realistic and assume a joint depth of 30mm, with the bottom 120mm filled with a sand/cement mix. This would still require 6-8kg of jointing material per square metre, at around 1.50 per kg, so that's at least a tenner per m². Sand, for flexible jointing, relies on 2-6mm joints and coverage, at full depth, would be around 12.5kg per m², roughly half a bag of sand, so let's say 2.50 quid. And remember, I haven't factored in the cost of filling the joints to 120mm with sand/cement!
Anyway, to answer your questions:
1) - see above. Flexible is cheaper, but not necessarily better.
2) - Romex Drain is permeable and suitable for use with permeable/flexible construction. Easipoint is not permeable and ahile it could be used with flexible construction, it;s less than ideal.
3) - You can get coloured sands, but they are a waste of time and money. As LLL says, they'll be mucky brown in 3 months, regardless of what colour they started out as.
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:35 pm
by bird
Thanks both for very helpful advice!
What depth of cubes would be ok (foot traffic only), would 30mm cover it? The cubes will be granite. If you thought 30mm was ok, it would certainly help with the costs. I was probably mislead by the name 'cube'.
I think I will get prices for a rigid base and easipoint as you suggest LLL.
The water table is very high in this area. I guess that could make SUDs a bit tricky...?
Cheers
