Limestone Patios Laid In Buckingham
Limestone is denser and harder wearing than sandstone, and the face is smoother, so it is less prone to algae and easier to clean. We lay it in Buckingham on a full mortar bed, the same as the other natural stones.
Its semi porous, not quite as soft as sandstone but we would still recommend sealing it to give long term protection against scuffing and chipping.
Our Limestone Patio Services
Our patio contractors lay limestone as patios, paths and garden steps in Buckingham. Sandstone and limestone go down in a mixed pack. That way we we provide an even blend of colour throughout the installation.
Limestone is harder to cut than sandstone. We go through more diamond blades on a limestone patio in Buckingham.
Kota Blue and Kota Brown are the more common colours variety we install for clients but we do offer other options including black limestone and more.
Why Limestone For A Patio
What makes limestone beautiful is that the colour in the limestone is the stone itself, and neither sandstone nor limestone really fades, so a slight UV lighten comes back fairly like new with a jet wash.
A concrete product next to the limestone such as block paving border or a coloured joint will fade and sealing will help to prevent it.
How A Limestone Patio Is Laid
We always use a solid bed on a limestone patio instead of dot and dab, because dabbing leaves voids where water stagnates under the slab but we still apply an application of slurry primer as it will still help in bonding it to the base.
Each limestone slab is laid individually, tapped into place using a cross level to set very accurate levels on it.
If you see moss and algae on a limestone patio joint, or if you notice green sitting in a recessed pointing line, then the joint sits below slab level and water is not running clear. This is one of the reasons, bird beaks are popular.
Resin jointing is the best of both options on limestone. It brushes in easily, but it does not give a smooth finish on this stone that you would have with hand pointing.
Finishing A Limestone Patio
We joint limestone with mortar pointing mixed on site. Flowpoint or other cementitious slurry is the other cement joint. Resin geofix or other epoxy brush-in only works between 5 and 15mm but it does have multiple colouring options.
When we are applying a dark mortar, we will always tape the edging because limestone soaks pigment.
For bordering, we recommend a cobble border or a block paving border as it gives a clean edge to cut into on a Buckingham patio along with definition.
Talk To Our Limestone Patio Contractors
Call 01280 430126 first. Our patio contractors in Buckingham walk the garden and note access and levels. We put a figure on paper from that, not from a guess.
Buckingham Patios talk through limestone and the joint on that visit. The quote is written, free, and carries no obligation. See our patio services if you would like to see more options.
Commonly asked questions about Limestone
Do limestone patios need sealing?
They benefit from it. It is porous, so a sealer helps against staining, and can be scraped, scuffed. Ensuring your have drainage set correctly so water cannot sit on the patio will help a lot with long term maintenance.
What is the difference between sandstone and limestone?
Sandstone is more porous, usually riven, and carries the widest colour range. Limestone is denser and smoothe and it is harder on the blades to cut.
What jointing is best for a limestone patio?
Mortar pointing mixed on site can be shaped. Flowpoint or other cementitious slurry gives a smooth level joint. Resin geofix or other epoxy brush-in sits between the two, making sure the joint stays inside 5-6mm minimum and 10-15mm maximum.
Can limestone slabbing go green or develop algae, and what helps?
Algae and moss come from water lying and the sun not reaching an area, and porosity lets it take hold. Sandstone is the most porous, limestone next. Good drainage so water cannot sit is the real answer on a Buckingham patio.