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I'm afraid I'm a complete bore, all I'm interested in is gardens, I need to know where, when, what, how and why.
I mean no harm to any one, if giving help or advice it must be bang on, stay on the correct footpath and you wont go wrong, however if you vere off onto the assumption footpath, well it goes with out saying really......
If I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me,
What's this assumption path you are on about?
Kerry Jackson said:
Back to sealing without boring you but I've seen the most interesting sandstone lately. It's been machine dressed onto the front surface like a wood grain pattern and sealed with a coloured stain. It comes in massive pieces 2m x 60cm down to 1.5m x 60cm Its 50mm thick approx. and has a cut back so is not uneven in thickness. I loved the look of that stone be a great feature if I had a money client at present.
Another thing forget templates where is your craft skills.
Design is surely in one's brain not someone elses reproductions on paper.
However experience will come.
Pro Gard said:
Only after jointing are the tiles sealed. In our case we apply several coats (6-10) of linseed oil mixed with turpentine - the first coat is just 10-20% linseed oil and the tiles drink the liquid.
The only thing I would add, especially if you wish to re-create an antique/old look to the floor, if you leave the floor un-sealed for a period of time (one to two years) and let its history build up naturally then the effect after sealing can really enhance the aesthetics.
A lot of the very old walls, paving and flooring here (and probably anywhere) that retains a 'romantic' look, would be condemned as 'poor' workmanship if laid today. Being able to recreate that time-aged affect is a priceless skill.
Your information issued to Kieran last night is not correct.
A. You can seal natural paving, as above.
B. You cannot remove the mortar staining drawn up through the paving with Hydrochloric acid. The only way to remove the staining is to replace the affected units.
Hence my reason for using the assumption footpath as a guide, if however you've managed to remove the staining could you enlighten me /the whole sector of paving manufacturers as to this process
Please contact the technical support department for Marshalls 0870 411 2233
or, if your still in doubt you could contact the technical support for Natural Paving 0845 072 1150
you could also try Exterior Stone and seek advise 01494 725 709
Best Kerry
I've laid sandstone for 5 years now at least. I got so sick of Stonemarket once they got sold to your friends who had no quality control. At least with old Stonemarket the 'Quakers'- things were done right. The moulds were cleaned so you didn't get mixes of colours in the buff golden paving eg. Even the grey would have black patches in it after they sold it to M's. I've had that in their Cotswold blocks. Started laying to find the colour changed so called the rep. who had to find the right coloured ones in his car. You don't need these hassles from poor production processes. However I'm getting slightly side tracked - life is not a single gospel though.
When I stumpelled onto sandstone what a relief. It can vary in quality too, you can do anything to it - cut, grind, antique etc. The colours are great! But you only get what you pay for and some of it is rubbish.
One patio in Buck's four years ago, the client an Indian couldn't believe what I was laying. He must have looked at the price only on his quote, and said ok. When I turned up with the crates of sandstone he said not that rubbish - his father was an importer of it he reckoned. He wanted the surface smooth no ripples, and rejected some slabs usually the largest!
The man at the supplier got fed up with me returning to get replacements. He said tell your damn client he's not buying the bloody mountain only the f .. cratefull.
I'm pleased to share my knowledge and experiences on this site and from what I've seen its areal asset for landscapers and designers. A good networking system thanks to Phils efforts. But it could all go down the pan if not kept liberal - views. I deplore company jargon!
Provided the site is used as a forum - to inform and spread interest it will survive. I don't think it should be used to promote different associations - including manufacturers, who I suspect there's an interest in by certain individuals already.
I must state I only joined due to Phil's mantra / politics.
The way to make it more profitable for Phil would be to levie a yearly charge. This could be based on a scale from students up to specalists etc.
Hope he charges for his logo a yearly fee and all advertising by companies who are proberly watching to see the nos raise even further, before advertising.
Best of luck I think it's great everyone!
Andrew.
Kerry Jackson said:
Kerry