What to Lay over concrete slab and how? - Do it yourself tips request

[tammyswan]

I currently have a concrete slab as a front porch and I would like to make it more decorative and also match my colonial style home. I was thinkinf of laying slate over it, but do not know if that is easy enough for a first-timer; if so, where do I begin, if not, what would be a better choice?

[84-1093879891]

What type of slate, Tammy? Slate flags/slabs can be laid on a mortar bed. Use something like a 8:1 mix of grit sand with cement and plasticiser, and make it a workable mix, sort of bricklaying consistency. Make sure the concrete slab is cleaned off and free from dust or laitence, then lay out a bed of the moprtar, roughly 25mm deep. Lift the flag/slab into place and tap it down to level using a clonker (small rubber mallet).

For the pointing, use a stiffer 4:1 mix mortar. I find that slate needs either a very light-coloured mortar, or on ethat is relatively dark, so it might be worth experimenting with a few mixes and dyes before committing yourself.

If you're using 'crazy paving', then you can use the same method for larger pieces, but you might need to use a stiffer bedding mortar with smaller bits and bats.