This article is introducing a three part feature on choosing natural stone paving. There are so many companies out there proclaiming that their natural stone paving is the best. Whether its cheaper, better quality or more ethical. This article is designed to bypass the jargon and give you the consumer a real definition of price, quality and service. Hopefully allowing you to make a more informed choice about what you buy and who you buy it from. The schedule for the articles is detailed below:
Natural Stone Paving. Where to start? Part 1: PRICE
This article will explain why different companies have different pricing structures and the effects of cheap pricing on quality and service.
Natural Stone Paving. Where To Start? Part 2: QUALITY
This article will explain how to spot quality natural stone paving and more importantly how to identify poor quality material.
Natural Stone Paving. Where To Start? Part 3: CUSTOMER SERVICE
This article details how to look for customer service and product after care.
We hope that you will join us over the next week.
Steve Walley London Stone
There is nothing worse to see than a beautiful natural stone paving patio which has turned green. Natural stone paving turning green can be quite a common occurance, especially in North facing gardens. Because natural stone is permeable it can act like a magnet to algae growth which, as long as the conditions are right (damp, permeable surface) will happily breed.
Fear not however. If you do have a north facing garden and still love the idea of installing a natural stone paving patio, then there a few measures you can take to reduce and minimize algae growth.
1. Choose a hard natural stone paving
What makes certain types of natural stone hard is that they are physically dense. While all natural stone paving is permeable harder stones are much less porous. Therefore they will be much more resistant to algae growth and to staining in general. Some of the hard stones we recommend for north facing gardens are Kandla Grey, Raj Green, Buff & Silver Buff.
http://www.londonstone.com/Exterior-Stone-Paving/Sandstone-Paving/product.asp?productId=6
http://www.londonstone.com/Exterior-Stone-Paving/Sandstone-Paving/product.asp?productId=35
http://www.londonstone.com/Exterior-Stone-Paving/Sawn-Paving/product.asp?productId=100
http://www.londonstone.com/Exterior-Stone-Paving/Sawn-Paving/product.asp?productId=128
2. Use an impregnating paving sealant
Another way to reduce algae growth is to use an impregnating paving sealant. This will seal the surface of the natural stone paving and prevent the algae growth from establishing itself. There are a few common misconceptions about using paving sealant. One of the most common ones is that sealing natural stone paving will make the surface of the stone glossy. This can be the case when using cheap paving seals. However we always recommend using the market leader in seal products, Lithofin. Lithofin supply a product called stain stop. While stain stop will make the stone appear ever so slightly darker it will not leave a sheen or gloss. Always take professional advice before sealing natural stone paving.
http://www.londonstone.com/Sealants-and-Adhesives/Stone-Sealant/product.asp?productId=145
3. Removing algae from natural stone paving
While algae does look ugly it wont cause any long term damage to your natural stone paving patio and is also easy to shift so if you do have an algae problem with your garden paving there is no reason to panic. One way to shift algae is to treat affected areas with bleach. Simply dilute bleach with water and apply to affected areas. Leave the bleach to work ts magic for a few moments before washing it away with clean water. It might be necessary to treat stubborn areas a few times but persevere and you will shift the troublesome green stuff. There is also a product available from lithofin called outdoor cleaner which works in the same way as bleach.
The overall conclusion is that even if you have got a wet, north facing garden, with a bit of thought you can use natural stone paving for your garden paving and still have a beautiful algae free patio. If you need any advice on natural stone in north facing gardens we are open 7 days a week and advice is freely given
Steve Walley London Stone
info@londonstone.com
We are just in the process of designing our 2010 brochure. Its been two years since we udated the yearly brochure so there will be lots of new paving products. Also look out for the bull nosed step section (you can also see it @ http://www.londonstone.com/Exterior-Stone-Paving/Sawn-Paving/)
We are always on the look out for quality images of expertly installed natural stone paving. If you have any photos of completed projects using natural stone we would really like to hear from you. Any photos used will be credited with your company name & contact information.
As part of our committment to ethical trading we will be visiting China in 1 month. We will be attending a meeting at the Xiamen natural stone fair on behalf of the ETI. The ETI has a dedicated stone group which London Stone are new members of. The ETI stone group are currently working with the Dutch working group regarding the practicalities of a sustainable stone label for suppliers. While the ETI do not necessarily agree that a label is the way forward (ETI place a greater emphasis on continuous improvement) they do share some common values with the Dutch working group.
Its going to be a real eye opener to hear the opinions and views of the Chinese suppliers who will be attending the meeting in Xiamen and hopefully we can find some common ground on the key issues which will undoubtedly be living wages, excessive working hours and health & safety.
I will be keeping you all up to date on the results of the discussions.
We are looking seriously at stocking brush in jointing compounds. To be honest I have never been the biggest fan of sweep in pointing but I must say my opinion has changed.
We had a salesman at our yard last week and I was amazed at the speed at which large areas can be pointed. We reckon that 1 man could easily point 150m2 in 1 day. WOW!!!
These brush in compounds really come into thier own when pointing sandstone & granite sets.
We are looking for some Southern based paving contractors or landscape gardeners to test out a new type of brush in compound. We will supply the poiting compound free of charge. The only stipulation is that it’s got to be used on natural stone paving or set’s, oh and you’ve got to let us come down and watch.
Anybody who is interested should get in touch with London Stone: