Selecting your render:
First of all you need to know what substrate you have. Is it a standard concrete block? Is it a render board? Is it and old brick or render for refurbishment? Get this wrong and there is no point going to step 2….
The majority of substrates will fall into one of the following: Standard concrete blocks, Insulation boards, Approved render boards, Autoclave (Thermalite/Celcon type) blocks, an old painted render, an old drydash render, clay common bricks, ICF or expanded polystyrene. Sometimes we will come across something a bit different, but please take the time to get this selection right to ensure you have a successful outcome.
Now you need to select the finish you want. Is it a drydash finish? Is it a traditional wetdash finish? Is it a modern synthetic or scratch finish? Are you matching and old render finish? A tyrolean render?
Take time to select your top coat finish. this is the part you are going to look at for evermore. A certain finish may set off the building perfectly whilst another one may just be a bit of an anticlimax
Now you put the 2 together and you are half way there. Once you are at this point you need to decide what manufacturer you would like to use. This can be guided by previous experience, availability of material, manufacturers warranties, personal preference, recommendation etc. Some options may not be available from specific manufacturers, but just ask and we will help you choose.
Now another very important step – Choose your applicator. The world is full or people that think they can apply a good quality render, but we all know that they aren’t all as good as they say they are. Ask any tradesman for references, ask us. we supply over 1 million square metres of render every year and we generally know who does a good job and who doesn’t.
Selecting your paving:
This is the easy bit. Do you want a smooth surface or a rough surface? Do you want sharp contemporary finish? Do you want a worn traditional finish? What colour do you want? Where is your stone going to be used? On a driveway? A patio? A kitchen or bathroom? In a sauna? A Spa? A utility room or porch? As steps? Under a woodburning stove?
Take time to think about your finish and how you are going to use it and live with it. If you are laying your stone in the kitchen, you may consider sealing it before you lay it to make sure there are no stains from the adhesive, grouting or general installation process. Remember that stone used externally will weather with time and this should be included in your selection process. This face of this paving is the part you are going to live with for the future. Get it right first time saves time, hassle and money.
Now you are going to lay it:
Although you wont see this part of the job once you are finished, it need to be right. If you cut corners on this bit, then the finished product may look OK to begin with but give it a year or 2 and you wil start to have some issues. Have you dug out enough? A minimum of 150mm. Have you compacted a good quality Type 1 sub-base? No point in skimping at this point for the sub-base to “heave” and fail in the first winter frost. Is it level enough? Ensure your paving has a fall greater than 1:60 away from any building to a suitable area. Working with the bubble “on the line” of your spirit level will give you a finished patio with a suitable run-off for water.
Now you lay your paving:
Mix a good quality bedding mix with granite sand, soft sand and good quality cement in roughly 3:3:1 and add a plasticiser. Now lay a full bed to a full thickness and pop your paving down. Ensure your paving has a full bond (not dabs) and is firmly adhered to the mortar mix. Use a rubber mallet to “persuade” the paving down to the required level. Clean out the joints as you go to ensure there is somewhere for your Easyjoint jointing compound to go.
Now finish it:
Select you Easyjoint colour, wash the paving down and while it is wet, brush in your jointing compound. Brush off any excess and you are almost done. Once everything has dried off and settled down, apply a sealer (if desired) and enjoy for many years to come.
