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Too good to be true ?

sunshine preferredsunshine preferred Posts: 107
in Garden design

I am looking at the hard landscaping for my garden. I know the bulk of the cost will be labour not the actual slabs. I have had the Jewson book which shows Marshalls slabs This uses "pavesys patented system" which is a faster way to pave states a new patio takes half the time to pave. Has anybody used them and is it quicker ? Also are the slabs a decent quality. I have not been to look at them yet , have only seen them in the book but they look good.  

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  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Never used them but they look good. Marshalls have a good name for quality so I would not doubt that.
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • sunshine preferredsunshine preferred Posts: 107

    I will go and look at them and if i like will get a quote. Might get a quote for ordinary slabs and the quicker system to compare. Will post the outcome on here but if anyone has used them i would appreciate what they think.

  • dominomandominoman Posts: 150

    I looked at these last year and spoke to a landscaper.  His view was that there really wasn't much in it in terms of time. 

    The slabs come with little ridges that get the spacing right, so for a DIYer they can save time.  But for a pro it wouldnt make much difference and is probably outweighed by the extra cost.

    The other thing that I'd caution on is that Pavesys is laid on sand, not on mortar mix.  My current patio is laid on sand and the ants have destroyed it so next time I would go for a mortar bedding.

  • Bushman2Bushman2 Posts: 548

    Carol if you look on the Marshals website you'll find a patio planner. It lets you choose different designs for the space you have and works out the number of slabs of each size you will need.Makes it much easier to price it up. Have a look at the natural sandstone they're nice, just make sure that they are calibrated which means they have an even thickness.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,991

    We ordered some Marshalls paving a few years ago - think that was the Pavesys system or its forerunner - they had a computer programme that worked out and supplied the right number of different shapes etc for the space we had and provided a printout of how to arrange them.  When they arrived the colouring of the paving looked very different to the ones we'd seen at the showroom and we sent them back. 

    We chose some cheaper 'own brand' ones from Jewsons who also worked out and supplied exactly the shapes we needed - the builder who laid the patio (on mortar) was very impressed with them and we're still very happy with our terrace and patio.


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • sunshine preferredsunshine preferred Posts: 107

    I bought a bungalow that needed completely doing inside and out. The inside is finished and now want to start outside. I am going to mark out where i want the slabs to make sure the design is right. However i am finding deciding which slabs very hard. I think it is because it is so expensive and i do not want to make a mistake. Any hints or tips anybody can give will be gratefully received. I want something will last and look good.

  • dominomandominoman Posts: 150

    My tip would be to go for lighter coloured sandstone if you can, because the grey colours can look depressing when wet.

    But if the patio is in shade then choose greys anyway, because lighter colours look grotty as soon as they get dirty and mossy, so you'll be forever cleaning.

    That's my view anyway.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,991

    Have you chosen the builder/landscaper who's going to do the work?  If so ask if you can visit a few locations where he/she have laid patios etc - if a customer is happy they usually don't mind a brief visit - then you can look at the types he's used and ask how the customers find the slabs - would they choose the same again?


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,991
    dominoman wrote (see)

    My tip would be to go for lighter coloured sandstone if you can, because the grey colours can look depressing when wet.

    But if the patio is in shade then choose greys anyway, because lighter colours look grotty as soon as they get dirty and mossy, so you'll be forever cleaning.

    That's my view anyway.

    We chose a blue/grey because it complements the the cool colours we use most often in the garden - blues, purples, pinks, creams.

    Yellowish colours look better with the warm colours of the spectrum - corals,reds, oranges, dark green, etc


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • sunshine preferredsunshine preferred Posts: 107

    The bungalow is rendered in a light beige colour so it needs to go with that. The garden is mainly at the side which is in sun all day long, lucky me. It was very overgrown when i moved in and had to clear it so there are hardly any plants left. Somebody has suggested indian sandstone from Jewson. Has anybody used this and how hardwearing is it ?

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