Slablayer and slab base

[Barefoot kid]

i'm planning to use slablayer http://www.lafargecement.co.uk (look under products/ready to use) for my first venture into patio laying, i'm using a ready made mortar mix as i don't fancy mixing it myself, has anyone had any experience of using this? its recommended to use only 25mm of this stuff which seems a bit thin to me. i'm also looking at hanson's slab base http://www.hanson.co.uk/page.cns?pID=506.

[Rich H]

Of all the skills required to lay a patio, adding cement to sand is not one of the more difficult ones. Seriously, this pre-mixed stuff costs twice as much and you've still got to mix it with the right amount of water. Waste of money for the tiny bit of time it saves.

[Tony McC]

These pre-mixed dry mortars for patio use (as opposed to the pre-mixed commercial spec proprietary mortars) are specifically designed to separate the naive from their money.

You still have to mix the damned stuff to add water. It really doesn't require that much additional effort to mix sand and cement and water as opposed to sand+cement and water. The former will cost you around 100 quid per cubic metre; the latter around 400 quid per cubic metre - you decide!

[Barefoot kid]

you'll be pleased to know that i've gone and ordered a big bulk bag of sharp sand and 4 bags of cement :p, if weather holds out i plan to lay the patio this weekend

[Rich H]

Good luck and post some pics when you've done it.