Pointing a limestone slab patio. Cement or lime?

[saveasteading]

The team are laying patios and footpaths using limestone flags. These have been laid on substantial mortar of 1 cement, 3 lime, 10 sharp sand (solid,  not dots).

 

But for pointing, would lime have any advantage over cement?

 

[jfb]

My Brickie has used used lime and cement in the past and both have been fine. He now swears by resin and used that for the last patio I had done. Just brushed in and then goes off so less mess and easier to use is why he likes it. Seems fine so far!

this sort of stuff

https://jointit.com/products/joint-it-simple/

[saveasteading]

9 minutes ago, jfb said:

swears by resin 

Thanks for the link. I would prefer that the pointing was weaker than the slabs. This seems to be harder, and almost like concrete repair mix.

Thinking that through leads me to lime being better than cement. 

So you have nudged me towards lime on the swingometer, which has now been extended past cement to resin.

 

On the other hand, the slabs shouldn't move as long as water doesn't get through.

[jfb]

1 hour ago, saveasteading said:

the slabs shouldn't move as long as water doesn't get through.

It’s all in the sub base!

[saveasteading]

3 hours ago, jfb said:

It’s all in the sub base!

15m of dense glacial sand, topped with 50mm of granite grit. It's not going anywhere unless washed away.

[twice round the block]

We've got black limestone slabs and we used the resin grout system when we laid the patio 4 years ago and it's still in perfect condition.

I also give it a coat of screwfix no nonsense clear exterior sealer every year which stops the sun bleaching the colour and helps to stop water ingres.

If you drop something from the barbecue you won't end up with a greasy mark on your patio as well.

[PeterW]

15 minutes ago, twice round the block said:

screwfix no nonsense clear exterior sealer

 which one and does it keep the colour better ..?

[twice round the block]

We don't use the sealer on the natural York slabs only the dark ones at our rental property.

[saveasteading]

Won't it wear off quickly on frequently used areas?