Dorset limestone - large sizes?

[mjc55]

We are thinking of using Dorset Limestone throughout in the new build.  Would like to use large sizes but at the moment it seems 600 x 400 is the max we can see online.  Does anyone have any idea if we can get any bigger.  Ideally located in Dorset.

 

As an aside we just phoned a tile suppliers found on google to see if they could get bigger.  You can imagine our surprise when we were told that their Dorset Limestone comes from Egypt! 🙄

[SteamyTea]

There used to be (30 years ago) a quarry on Portland that could sort out just about anything.

Just don't say the word "rabbit" as they are as mad as they come there.

[mjc55]

Apparently most Portland limestone does come from Egypt!

 

Supplies from Dorset is fairly limited (and regulated) and therefore very expensive.

 

We are hoping of sourcing as much as possible from as close as possible for our build but early lesson learned here!

[joe90]

10 minutes ago, mjc55 said:

Apparently most Portland limestone does come from Egypt!

Then it’s not Portland limestone, it’s Egyptian 🤷‍♂️ slate from Spain is Spanish even though it’s looks like Welsh.

[mjc55]

Had a chat with a quarry on Portland today.  Price currently around £60 per metre for 600 x 600 and £80 for 800 x 800.  Thickness does increase for the larger size so he said around 40kg for the larger.

 

Obviously a lot more expensive than the "Egyptian" variant but still is worth considering, if only for eco reasons.

[Russell griffiths]

Try Beswick stone in Cirencester. 
they have a very good selection of stone in store. 
might not be exactly what you want but worth a look. 

[mickeych]

On 11/09/2024 at 15:50, Russell griffiths said:

Try Beswick stone in Cirencester. 
they have a very good selection of stone in store. 
might not be exactly what you want but worth a look. 

I'll agree with that.

[mickeych]

On 10/09/2024 at 21:52, joe90 said:

Then it’s not Portland limestone, it’s Egyptian 🤷‍♂️ slate from Spain is Spanish even though it’s looks like Welsh.

Agreed - most of the suppliers give it fancy names like Aragon, or Castille. £60/M for 'real' Portland stone sounds like a steel though

[mjc55]

Went to visit Albion Stone in Dorset yesterday.  Included in the visit was a trip into the mine and into the cutting and finishing shops.

 

Got the quote today for 60 x 60 Portland Stonehills Whitbed slates.....

 

£145 per sq. m!

 

This is a tough one as we really want to source as much local stuff as possible and our build is in Dorset.  We wont be in the position to order later this year so have plenty of time to mull it over and loom for alternatives.

[mjc55]

should say "wont be in a position to order until later this year"

Edited January 31 by mjc55