Will sandstone flags be suitable for use on a slope?
Discussion
We’re having some works done next week to the front of the house and are currently planning to install a sandstone flag path down the front garden to near the front door. Currently we have a significantly sized set of steps that aren’t pushchair friendly (one 15month old and twins due in 4 weeks…).
This path has to be usable all year round when my wife is on maternity. We were planning on sandstone flags but the builder this morning suggested they might not be grippy enough in the winter. The path is fairly short at about 7-8m, but will be moderately steep, rising about a metre, perhaps slightly more.
The manufacturer (Natural Paving) and supplier say they’re suitable for use on slopes (although I haven’t specified our gradient), but I’m just after some reassurance from those with easily more idea than me that they would be fine. Clearly the last thing we want to do is to install a path we can only use 6-9 months of the year.
Can anyone other any advice from their experience?
I can upload a pic later if that will help.
This path has to be usable all year round when my wife is on maternity. We were planning on sandstone flags but the builder this morning suggested they might not be grippy enough in the winter. The path is fairly short at about 7-8m, but will be moderately steep, rising about a metre, perhaps slightly more.
The manufacturer (Natural Paving) and supplier say they’re suitable for use on slopes (although I haven’t specified our gradient), but I’m just after some reassurance from those with easily more idea than me that they would be fine. Clearly the last thing we want to do is to install a path we can only use 6-9 months of the year.
Can anyone other any advice from their experience?
I can upload a pic later if that will help.
Thank you for the advice so far. We're aware it's fairly steep but on a rainy day with one child and shopping going back and forth to the car up the steps quickly wears thin, let alone with three!
Would concrete slabs be any more suitable? I'll take a look at the bar faced tiles, I'm presuming they're something like found by pelican crossings etc (not able to look at the moment).
For what it's worth it is riven sandstone we're looking at, not the beautifully smooth sawn stuff you can get.
I'll get the order in for the funicular...
Would concrete slabs be any more suitable? I'll take a look at the bar faced tiles, I'm presuming they're something like found by pelican crossings etc (not able to look at the moment).
For what it's worth it is riven sandstone we're looking at, not the beautifully smooth sawn stuff you can get.
I'll get the order in for the funicular...
Asked Jeremy... He punched me in the face. Odd chap.
I did rough calculations this morning and the gradient is just under 6.5 to 1. We can improve on that a little, but not materially.
We're happy to put in whatever works best. There can be a couple of shallow steps to help, but I wonder if a simple slope, even if steep would be easier. Our road is narrow and permit parking only, so removing the steps creates another parking space for us. I completely understand the points about safety etc though, it's definitely more than crossed my mind.
The steps present now aren't actually very practical, they're shallow and long (600mm by a 150mm drop), but still too much to constantly bump a pushchair down. Plus the look of them....
I'll speak to a couple of specialists at lunch and see what they advise
I did rough calculations this morning and the gradient is just under 6.5 to 1. We can improve on that a little, but not materially.
We're happy to put in whatever works best. There can be a couple of shallow steps to help, but I wonder if a simple slope, even if steep would be easier. Our road is narrow and permit parking only, so removing the steps creates another parking space for us. I completely understand the points about safety etc though, it's definitely more than crossed my mind.
The steps present now aren't actually very practical, they're shallow and long (600mm by a 150mm drop), but still too much to constantly bump a pushchair down. Plus the look of them....
I'll speak to a couple of specialists at lunch and see what they advise
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff