Replies

1. 
   peteshlagor | Mar 07, 2009 04:25pm | #1

   The only one that can give you honest advice is:

   The woman that lives there.

    

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 07, 2009 04:48pm | #3

   LOL, I beg to differ - I'm not a woman and I don't live there.The woman of the house only has to say what she WANTS. Where's the honesty in that? It'll change next week!;) 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   peteshlagor | Mar 07, 2009 05:41pm | #4

   "It'll change next week!"

   I should know that. 

    

   "Man Made" refers to colored ceement pavers and such.  Regional variances.  I got some real nice ones from a paver factory out on the Ortega Highway is S. California some years ago.  I musta put in 5,000 sq ft of the things.  Pool deck, sidewalks, driveway, several patios, and as the caps for all of the stucco'ed ceement block walls and pilasters surrounding the place.  Used a blend of 4 different colors.  Turned out real sweet.

    

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 09, 2009 02:25am | #14

   I was imagining ceramic tile or quarry tile, or some new fangled composite I haven't dreamed of yet. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   Piffin | Mar 07, 2009 04:44pm | #2

   bluestone is pretty much the standard up here. It can be seated to compacted rock dust or sand base - or laid on a slab
   Don't know what man made you mean. all I imagine would require a slab and mortar set.

   Be sure whatever you decide on does not have a slick when wet finish - or buy extra insurance.

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   bearmon | Mar 07, 2009 08:31pm | #5

   Pavers are easier to lay because of the uniform thickness compared to natural stone.  Usually less expensive to buy, also.

   Bear

4. 
   Dinosaur | Mar 07, 2009 09:21pm | #6

   Natural stone flags are much stronger, last quite a bit longer, and are incomparably better-looking than 'cultured stone' (tinted-concrete) patio tiles.

   However, real stone is more expensive to purchase and takes more time to install...which, of course, explains the popularity of imitation stone pavers.

   You're going to have to make the choice between 'good' and 'cheap'.

   Here's a couple of photos of a natural blue-stone job I did a few years back. This is all dry-set, bedded in sand and grouted with stone dust.

   View Image

   View Image

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
   low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
   foolish men call Justice....
   

   

1. 
   peteshlagor | Mar 07, 2009 09:42pm | #7

   You've got a nice job going there.

   But personally, I don't go for the irregular borders of flagstone.  Oh, I've seen some dang nice work with them, but there's something about a cut stone laid in a pattern that speaks to a higher level.

   My spring project is a sidewalk/steps walkway made outta 8" strips of pink and blush sandstone.  This stone is cut for laying veneers and retaining walls 8" thick. 

   I'm taking this cut stone and cutting it again to 16" lengths with my hydraulic splitter, and laying the field into a herringbone with 8" sq borders.  The main areas will be the pinkish sandstone.  The edges, caps, and steps will be beige.

   My house.  I'm retired.

1. 
   Dinosaur | Mar 07, 2009 09:55pm | #8

   Hydraulic splitter; why don't you use a wet saw? <G>

   I trim to size and shape with a 2lb sledge and chisel, but for that place, the HO wanted everything aggressively rustic so I left a lot of irregular edges to achieve the effect she wanted. She was a frustrated decorator with lotsa money. You shoulda seen the inside....

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

1. 
   peteshlagor | Mar 07, 2009 10:08pm | #10

   A splitter vs. a wet saw?  That's the same as 2 seconds vs 2 minutes.

   View Image

1. 
   Dinosaur | Mar 07, 2009 10:35pm | #12

   Yeah, but you're doing sandstone; I'm using 'Laurentian blue' granite.

   Does not cut the same way a-tall....

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

2. 
   peteshlagor | Mar 08, 2009 04:05am | #13

   Yer right. 

   I'm careful on how I pick my battles.

    

2. 
   deadmanmike | Mar 07, 2009 10:06pm | #9

   I know what you mean about irregular flag vs pavers/pattern.

   I think it's got to fit the feel of the area.

   At my own house, I've done fullsize sandstone flag in the backyard -dry with gravel between. But the backyard is a casual, pool-party, neighborhood BBQ place. I love the look of a complex pattern, but it just didn't fit the feel. Not to mention the flags cool off very quickly, and drain very well.

   The front of the house is more formal and arranged. There, I'll be doing a paver pattern as I add a border around the driveway and a path to the gate.

    

   The patio set's pushed up against the house here because we were working on the pergola.

   
5. 
   daytimemoon | Mar 07, 2009 10:30pm | #11

   Hey Joe,

   I agree with most here that you ultimately have to decide what you like the look of best. I think natural stone looks best, and in this instance being a backyard patio, is perfect for the job. Informal and classic. There's nothing wrong with man-made pavers for this job, it's all a matter of taste.

   Some advice:
   make sure you choose natural slate pieces (or man-made) at least 1.5 inches thick or they'll be liable to break in our climate (North East). I would stay at 2" thickness minimum, personally.
   Also, if you go the natural un-cut slate road, don't make the joints too wide between stones - especially if you're going to have chairs being pulled in and out of a table - the legs will drop into your sand joints and cause you headaches galore. Even better, make tight joints (no bigger than .5") and get furniture that has wide bottomed feet.

   Hope that helps.

   Dan