Covering patio with cotswold chippings

I've got an old patio that needs a makeover.
The patio is rarely used except to hang out the washing, but is an eyesore from the kitchen window.
The current plan is to cover it with a weed membrane and then cover with stones, up to the level of a step which sits just below the back door. So looking at about 30 metres of coverage at about 2-3 inches deep.

Few ?'s

1) Which is the best type of membrane to use to help keep weeds from sprouting through.

2) White cotswold chippings look good but are quite expensive (anyone know a cheap supplier in S.London area?) I will probably need at least a ton, should I put a layer of sand or other material underneath so I won't need so much? And if so, will the sand encourage weeds to grow?

3) One side of the patio runs alongside the back of a timber clad conservatory. Will it be ok to lay the gravel against this, or will it cause the timber at floor level to rot?

Cheers for any help

Whichever weed membrane you choose will not prevent weeds altogether, they stop them from coming up from below, but thanks to the little birdies, wind etc weeds will establish on most substrates given time.

If you put sand under the stone, in time the stones will end up at the bottom and the sand on top plus it will be even better for weeds to grow and cats to poo in.

The timber cladding may eventually rot, but the stone will drain well and as long as the fall is away from the buildings and the timber treated correctly it shouldn't be a major problem.

If you are really concerned lay some dmp (damp proof membrane) around the bottom layer, before the stones, but make sure that the water is shed over it, not behind.

best to spend a little bit more on the fabric and go for something like plantex rather than the usual wickes cheapie stuff.

As for cotswold chippings ask around, i can get them for 69.95 plus vat for a bulk bag. thats in the sussex area. Not sure if Stamco have a branch up that way but theyve got them for that. Most builders merchants will haggle a little from their published price as well.

Just a thought - i the area shady? The reason I ask is that Cotswold chippings (being light buff or even white) go green quite quickly and look awful. Also, I would avoid sand under the top dressing as it'll stay soft when its wet and will rise to the surface. At a pinch, separate it from your gravel with membrane to stop the mixing.

No not too shady, the sun fills the area for most of the day. Not gonna go with sand now by the looks of it.

As for Plantex vs Wickes stuff, I could go with two layers of the Wickes stuff for less than half the price of a single layer of Plantex. Surely doubling up will make up for any Plantex advantage?

Deluks said:

1) Which is the best type of membrane to use to help keep weeds from sprouting through.

Click to expand...

Mypex without a doubt
(its what we use on nurseries and you didnt mention it had to be cheap)

This year we purchased 4 bulk bags from a company called gravelmaster.co.uk and the material has been fantastic it was the cheapest on the web and has transformed our small garden. Would recommend to any one looking to use this product

I got membrane from screwfix - 50 x 2 m (100m²) for about £37 IIRC - https://www.screwfix.com/prods/6360.../Apollo-Weed-Control-50g-Fabric-Roll-50m-x-2m

On the chippings front I got 20mm limestone gravel for ~ £42 per tonne bag from building supplier along with my decking materials. looks nice so far and staying white...

HTH