slate patio question.

[johnryan]

hoping someone here can help me out with a question of using calibrated slate on an outside patio. i haven't really done any outside work since being in england, so presumed slate would be fine to use for a patio, layed on a 6" concrete slab, and 2" screed with chicken wire, either bedded into the screed itself or with keraquick. grouted with mapei ultracolour plus, and a couple of coats of ltp mattstone.
however, when i went to get the slate today, i was told by the salesman that it was a very bad idea to put slate outside. there was a dispute between another salesman there, who i know very well, who thought it'd be ok to use. the client was with me and while she still wants the slate, she is now unsure of whether to go ahead with it. i personally am of the view that it would be ok, but would appreciate advice from you guys. i spent a lot of time in hotter climates, where issues of this nature don't really exist, and since being home, have only worked on one exterior installation ( 9yrs ago, and still all good). i wont bother going into the reasons the guy said it's a bad idea, as whatever i'm advised here will be the way to go forward. also, if slate isn't a good idea, then does anyone have any suggestions of what is ok to use outside that's not porcelaine? by the way, it is outside but sheltered on 3 sides with the unsheltered side being south facing. cheers.

john

 

[DHTiling]

It will be fine..

Solid bed fix to reduce mortar stress from freeze thaw issues.. and any shelling that occurs then touch up the sealer..I have seen slate used in quite a few exterior projects..

 

[johnryan]

thanks, i thought it'd be okay to go ahead, but with no real experience of this kind of work, i just wanted to be sure first. if i get 2 or 3 positive answers here i'll call up and say it's ok to go with the slate. the client in this case is my sister, and she's been dying to get this done for ages, and was heartbroken when she heard the salesman say she shouldn't do it.

 

[johnryan]

in fact, i've just decided yours is enough to go on dave, so just about to call my sister now and tell her to get the slate. cheers mate.

john

 

[DHTiling]

No probs, the mattstone will be perfect and make sure you seal to saturation, this will make it last longer before more coats are needed with it being out side and adverse weather etc can reduce sealer life span..

Most of all pics please.

 

[johnryan]

ok, i was thinking the sealant would need extra attention myself, and will probably reseal every spring. hoping to have it done in the next week or so, and when finished i'll put the pics in this thread. thanks for the help. cheers.

john