Question 1

What gap should I leave between York stone paving slabs?

Accepted Answer

The recommended joint gap depends on the range, and you'll find the exact figure for every product listed beneath the gallery images on its product page. Riven, sawn and reclaimed York stone each call for a slightly different joint width, so the gap that looks right and points well varies from range to range. Setting out your slabs dry first, with the recommended spacing, lets you check the layout and falls before you commit to mortar. The full jointing detail for your stone is in its Installation Guide on the product page.

Question 2

How do I prepare the ground and sub-base for laying York stone?

Accepted Answer

Prepare the ground by excavating to depth, laying and compacting a hardcore sub-base, then adding your bedding mortar ready for the stone. For a patio, excavate roughly 150mm plus the slab thickness, lay around 100–150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore, and finish with a sand and cement bedding layer set to a slight fall so water runs away from the property. Good sub-base preparation is what keeps York stone flat, stable and free of rocking for decades. The exact depths and bedding mix for your chosen range are set out in its Installation Guide on the product page.

Question 3

How do you lay York stone paving?

Accepted Answer

Lay York stone paving onto a full mortar bed over a compacted sub-base, leaving a consistent joint gap between each flag, then point the joints once the bed has set. In short: excavate and compact the sub-base, lay a 4:1 sharp sand and cement bedding mortar around 40–50mm thick, then bed each slab solidly (a full bed, not five dots of mortar) with a slight fall for drainage. Because riven, sawn and reclaimed ranges vary in thickness and recommended joint width, follow the step-by-step Installation Guide on the product page for the exact range you have chosen.

Question 4

What mortar and bedding should I use to lay York stone paving?

Accepted Answer

York stone paving is best laid on a full wet mortar bed of sharp sand and cement, typically mixed around 4:1, with the slabs bedded solidly across their whole underside. A full bed, rather than dabs or dots of mortar, supports the stone evenly and prevents cracking or rocking under load. A slurry primer brushed onto the back of each flag helps the bond, especially on sawn paving. As mixes and bed depths differ slightly between our riven, sawn and reclaimed ranges, the recommended bedding and mortar specification is given in the Installation Guide on each product page.

Question 5

Can I lay York stone paving myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a confident DIYer can lay York stone paving, provided you prepare a proper sub-base, lay each slab on a full mortar bed and allow for drainage falls. The natural variation in colour, thickness and edge profile is part of York stone's character, so it pays to set the flags out dry first and mix slabs from different pallets for a balanced finish. Larger or thicker flags are heavy, so plan for safe lifting. If you'd rather have it laid professionally, we can introduce you to vetted landscapers once you've ordered. Each range's Installation Guide on the product page walks you through the process.

Question 6

How do I point and joint York stone paving?

Accepted Answer

Point York stone paving once the bedding mortar has fully set, filling each joint with a suitable jointing mortar or brush-in compound and finishing it neatly so water sheds off the surface. Keep the jointing material off the face of the stone as you work, since York stone is porous and can stain, and tool the joints to a tidy, slightly recessed profile. Work in dry conditions and let the joints cure before heavy use. Because the recommended joint width and jointing product vary by range, follow the pointing detail in your stone's Installation Guide on the product page.

Question 7

Can I pave my own driveway with York stone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, York stone can be laid as a driveway, but a driveway needs a deeper, stronger sub-base than a patio because it carries vehicle loads. Plan for a thicker compacted hardcore foundation, a full mortar bed and a sett or thicker sawn paving option suited to traffic, along with proper falls and drainage. Driveways are a bigger undertaking than a patio, so many customers use a professional landscaper, and we're happy to advise on the right range and thickness for the job. Our team can help you choose, and each product's Installation Guide covers the build-up in detail.