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Original poster

Can anyone do this sum because I have given up

238 replies

TheMustressMhor · 31/01/2020 14:07

Okay - so we are putting concrete slabs on a small area of the garden.

This measures 12 ft x 8 ft.

The slabs we have chosen measure 450mm x 450 mm.

My brain has fallen out trying to work out how many slabs we will need.

Even the woman in the shop got three different answers and eventually sold us 36 slabs.

I think 36 slabs is wrong.

But the fact that I am incapable of working this out is driving me mad. My brain has fallen out and I appeal to anyone who has any sense to tell me how many slabs we need.

TIA

OP posts:
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5
Original poster
TheMustressMhor · 01/02/2020 00:00

My final suggestion is that you make the patio using the number of slabs you've bought. (It might not end up 12ft by 8ft though, but it will be fine)

That seems eminently sensible Knittedfairies.

OP posts:
SageRosemary · 01/02/2020 00:08

First convert your feet to metres. (I can hardly believe you measured in feet!)

Then divide your metre measurement by 0.45m (from 450mm)

Length - 12 foot = 3.66 m / 0.45 = 8.11 (9 tiles across OR 8 with grouting)

Width - 8 foot = 2.44m / 0.45 = 5.44 ( 6 tiles OR 5 with using offcuts and grouting)

Multiply your length by your width 9 tiles x 6 = 54 tiles

But with grouting and using cut offs you could be (8 tiles x 5.44) + (8 tiles x 0.1) = 45 tiles,

So, how many you will need is down to the tiler, accuracy of cutting and amount of grouting used. And, do you want a grid pattern or offset?

Hannah888 · 01/02/2020 00:27

Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a herb garden - or an area for lovely strawberries?

managedmis · 01/02/2020 00:33

What's the asnwer to this question?

pandora101 · 01/02/2020 00:36

I would cut out paper slobs and put them into the garden, so I can see how it fits and how many is needed (if its not raining) :)

PhoneLock · 01/02/2020 00:51

(if its not raining)

The OP lives in Argyll...

Katinski · 01/02/2020 00:59

Funniest thread ever!Grin
And, as I have dyscalculia and NO spacial awareness, I'm not going to hazard a guess, no sirree, not me.
Except, any bets on how much sherry OP is going to get through before the patio gets laid? I'm thinking 3/4 bottle. That's 3/4 of a litre bottle btwGrin
OP,promise us you'll post a picture when it's done?

TonytheDog · 01/02/2020 01:30

Look on Rightmove for a house with a) a room in it that's 12x8 and b) has polystyrene tikes.
View the house - you only need to go to the 12x8 room. Look at the ceiling, count the tiles.

This is all based on the assumption that polystyrene tikes are 450mm - which if my childhood memory serves me correct - they are.

Or. Dog a swimming pool. If you have lots of rain that would be perfect.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 01/02/2020 01:40

It's 48. It depends how you cut them.

YappityYapYap · 01/02/2020 01:44

It's 50 bloody slabs. Someone posted earlier up after doing a calculation on the B&Q website

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 01/02/2020 01:50

I would cut out paper slobs and put them into the garden

Now I imagining what form the paper slobs would take. Wayne and Waynetta?

managedmis · 01/02/2020 01:56

And, do you want a grid pattern or offset?

^^

Now you're talking!

HerRoyalNotness · 01/02/2020 02:09

I love this because I wouldn’t be able to work it out either and have to return to the diy store at least 3 times (looking at you bags of mulch)

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 01/02/2020 03:18

"It's 50 bloody slabs."

Well possibly, if OP's DH isn't as adept with a tile/slab cutter as he'd like to think he is... Grin

ILikeyourHairyHands · 01/02/2020 05:55

Get 48 and you will be able to cut them to fit.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 01/02/2020 05:56

It's 6 by 8 essentially. Ignore the rest.

ContinuityError · 01/02/2020 08:04

8x6 46 tiles required

I like this answer.

Monmonga · 01/02/2020 08:11

Haha, this thread is hilarious! The most fitting depiction of Brexit I have ever read: we are unique and have our own system, which we cannot actually work out but anyone else who can should f**k off! 😂😂😂

Good luck with the garden OP, hope it will turn out to be what you are hoping for.

perhapstomorrow · 01/02/2020 08:21

I got just over 44 so round up to 45 .

CatalogueUniverse · 01/02/2020 08:47

When you have a space to fill with something that is a fixed size. It depends on a number of factors.

Is the plan to fill the entire space or would you fill slightly less to have only full size slabs placed within the space to be filled in whatever way was most visually pleasing and then do something else with the gaps. So right in the middle, up against one or two sides, changes how the border would look.

Are you laying out the slabs in an offset pattern. If so this means the overall way the slabs fill the space is different from a basic edge to edge. It would also mean more cuts to fill the smaller gaps to end up with a rectangle.

If you then add different colours or variations of slabs and want a pattern this again changes how many of each you need to make it look right.

Any of these should be worked out using the same measurement for space and slab. It doesn’t matter which measurement you use they just have to be the same.

Anything that isn’t an edge to edge square/rectangle into a square/rectangle which has exact 90 degree corners is probably worth drawing out.

These sorts of calculations and where you start placing things is why people end up with a lovely design which looks great until you get to the edges and then it’s not balanced so looks off. The more complicated the number of colours, shapes, layout the more jarring the edges can end up if it isn’t considered at the start. Tilers are probably most affected as they are putting tiles in rooms with various things on/around the tiles and rooms are rarely precise 90 degree corners. Like having a wall where only one side of it has cut tiles, it might look good it might look better if both sides have cuts depending on what’s going on in the middle.

TL:DR. Draw it out or you might get to the end and think oh no we’ll have to buy more tiles or relay it as it looks weird.

Original poster
TheMustressMhor · 01/02/2020 09:40

DH is cooking my breakfast.

It is raining.

Nothing can be done in the garden WRT the slabs, as they have yet to be delivered. However, all the plant pots have been moved so that the whole area can be levelled.

The cat is thoroughly bewildered by this, of course.

But what I want to know is:

Wil DH make me a dippy egg this morning?

Priorities, Mustress Mhor. Priorities.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMustressMhor · 01/02/2020 10:38

He didn't make me a dippy egg.

Should I LTB?

OP posts:
ChilliMayo · 01/02/2020 11:34

I wouldn't get into cutting slabs. How time consuming and it'll look...weird.
Just accept that my patio is going to be a bit longer than 12ft and a bit wider than 8ft and level accordingly.
Sorry, doesn't help much.

mnthrowaway202020 · 01/02/2020 11:41

The B&Q website specifically adds 10% to the figure to account for wastage so realistically it’s practical but not accurate

Original poster
TheMustressMhor · 01/02/2020 15:41

Realistically it’s practical but not accurate

In which case I wonder they bother to make it available.

OP posts: