[cutntrim]

John,

My tongue was planted firmly-in-cheek when I said, " He's a multi-millionare, he can hire the same guy who plows his driveway to do it." If I dictated to customers like some two-bit Mussolini then I wouldn't have any.

Anyway, that was my initial thought...why not clear the snow from the area if it is a problem? Second thought, if he is thinking stamped concrete, then why not? In my area there are reputable companies that provide that service and the end result looks fine. I prefer segmented paving, but have to admit that some of the patterned concrete looks pretty good. If there are no quality contractors in your area offering it, then that's a different story.

[johnkeegan]

Thanks Fine, I think I know the tile you mean. Another good thought.

[AZTLANLC]

Are you the one to decide what material this patio will be?
or are you trying to get ideas so the homeowner doesn't hire a stamped concrete company.
I still think if he wants concrete give him concrete.
Pour a 4" pad and then wet laid your blue stone on top of it it will be the best of both worlds, you said he has the money so why not do it this way.
Maybe he actually likes stamped concrete and he is trying to come up with reason to not give you the stone job.

[Nathaniel Carr]

Try looking around this website for some interesting drainage products,
http://invisiblestructures.com/index.html, these guys have all the specs to do what you want under your patio. I am just dying to use some of these products. Let us know if this is the angle you choose.

[johnkeegan]

Originally posted by AZTLANLC
Are you the one to decide what material this patio will be?
or are you trying to get ideas so the homeowner doesn't hire a stamped concrete company.
I still think if he wants concrete give him concrete.
Pour a 4" pad and then wet laid your blue stone on top of it it will be the best of both worlds, you said he has the money so why not do it this way.
Maybe he actually likes stamped concrete and he is trying to come up with reason to not give you the stone job.

...Talk about shooting from the hip. You've got some bizarre assumptions there. ."he is trying to come up with reasons to not give you the stone job." ???? I know it's popular today to make bold statements without knowing the facts...but come on.

I've been working for this customer for 12 years. They love our designs and the quality of our work. He said so the day I last I spoke to him. And we are so swamped it would be hard to squeeze this stone job in. I frankly could care less if another reputable company installed the stone. But we've done all the design work on this property and from a design standpoint it is a big mistake using Stampcrete.
He (and especially the wife) prefers the aesthetic look of natural stone BY FAR. The house was specifically built to look like a classic brick "mansion" with a SLATE roof. It seems silly to spend all that money for the "classic" look and then use Stampcrete on the walk and patio. If you can't grasp that concept...oh well. Stampcrete tries so hard to mimic natural stone but it's NOT. It's a fake. Like 'Z' brick is not real brick, vinyl siding is not cedar and "slate-looking" asphalt shingles are not real slate.

[cutntrim]

Thread was titled, "Suggestions appreciated...". Not feelin' much appreciation here. You obviously know your customer, and he loves you, so I'm sure you'll work it out. I personally don't like stamped concrete and probably neither does AZTLANLC. From your original post it sounded like your customer might like it. How are we supposed to know otherwise. We're just making suggestions, but next time I won't bother. Anyway as Rex would say..."Peace, Out".

[agla]

I think that we all have to remember that any of these threads are discussion and interest for everyone, so we need to expect that there will be side discussions that are not specific to the original poster's question. We all learn from that, so I think it is good and these always come back to addressing the OP in the end, anyhow.

Its part of what makes this website so good, in my opinion.

And look at the additional information those posts got ot of the OP, so that we all understand his situation even better now.

Its all good. ... I think.

[cutntrim]

Yep, it's all good.

[johnkeegan]

Generally, this site does lend itself to comments that are constructive and positive, especially when they stay focused on the exact issue at hand. But, as with any such site, the discussion can easily veer off from creative problem solving and into the realm of merely off-the-cuff comments. It's the nature of the inpersonal, on-line world I suppose. It just catches me a little more by surprise when I see it here.
P.S.- Nathanial- Thanks, that's interesting stuff on that site.

[phototropic1]

Yeah, thanks Nathaniel. Looks like they've got some interesting products.
I had trouble with the link you posted, though. I looked up the company in a google search. This link should work for others that are interested:

http://www.invisiblestructures.com.au/

[Nathaniel Carr]

You know what happened to that link.... I put a comma after it! DOAH!!!
So I edited it, for those of us who aren't in Australia.

[cutntrim]

Alright, well it's not a bluestone underpad solution but it's not stamped concrete either...

Techobloc has a new product out for 2007 (rep just delivered product catalogues to me this morning) that is called "Permea" a paving stone with a tumbled look that "promotes the proper percolation of surface water to the ground, thus allowing the water to return naturally to its source."

228mm thickness in three different sizes, random bundles, $4.72/sq.ft. as listed in my area's supplier price book. Hope that helps...

Dave