Exposed aggregate concrete patio

[skippy]

I am about to embark on laying a patio in concrete with an exposed aggregate finish. The aggregate I would like to use is between 14-16mm (rounded) and I will be laying about 28 sq.M 100mm thick; reinforced & probably in 5 separate bays (alternating aggregate colour in each).
I'm experimenting with colours, etc on test panels first; is the use of silver sand in the mix considered ok (regarding strength, durability, etc) and also the use (probably with the silver sand if ok) of white cement - do you reqiure less white cement for the same strength in a mix? (4:2:1)
Also planning to cut costs a little by pouring the lower half of the slab first using ballast (6:1) & then immediately mixing & pouring the pricey stuff.
When it comes to expansion joints would the strips be simply placed against the newly formed vertical edge of each bay after removing the shuttering?
Any advice welcome,
Cheers, skippy.

[lutonlagerlout]

i seem to remember someone doing one on here a few years ago but they were doing the bay ,then tamping and floating it smooth,then scattering aggregate over the surface ,then tamping and bull floating again
not sure but they were going for polished concrete i am sure,so after it had cured a bit they went over it with a diamond powerfloat etc
be very interested to see how yours turns out skippy as it has always been on my bucket list
where in herts are you?
cheers LLL

[GB_Groundworks]

its covered in detail on the site with an example the gaffer did in wales,

http://www.pavingexpert.com/concxag1.htm

[Pablo]

For a patio you can use silver sand but you must use the same amount of white cement as ordinary portland. Every exposed pad I've done I've always had the stone delivered to the plant and they mix it for me and deliver it. I like to put a black dye in the mix it looks really good with most types of stone. Tamping the stone in afterwards rather than mixing it tends not to look so good and you get a lot of the standard stone showing through alongside the decorative stuff. Trust the surface retarder it's always a worry but it works although seek advice about curing rates at this time of year. Also maybe think about adding some similar coloured grit to the mix it can make it look even more uniform and textured. If you're hand mixing do it with buckets so the pad will have a uniform colour and strength.



Edited By Pablo on 1285266501

[lutonlagerlout]

skippy has got me on the case now
does anyone know where to get really nice aggregates for this sort of thing?
thinking glass,black stones etc maybe even some ally or summat?
LLL

[irishpaving]

Decorative Aggregates.com has a good variety... polished pebbles and some spanish ice blues look great. ... multi-choice of finishes

[skippy]

Thanks for the info so far; it'll be a couple of weeks before I get onto this, meanwhile I'm making some test slabs to choose the final aggregate / sand combination. LLL - I'm over towards Tring.

[lutonlagerlout]

wouldnt mind having a look when you do it?
its one on my list
I'll PM you my details
cheers LLL

[skippy]

I'm having trouble finding the surface retarder mentioned in the article locally; the only one that seems to be available is Cementone Freeflo, but that looks like its an admix rather than an after-application. Can Freeflo be used or not? If not, does anyone know of a local-ish supplier of the Sika Rugasol?--(Herts)
cheers.

[Mikey_C]

hy-ten ?

[seanandruby]

buildbase

[simeonronacrete]

Hi

Would you consider an alternative?

Maybe consider Ronadeck Resin Bound Surfacing System

Please call us if you'd like a site survey and a quote.



Edited By simeonronacrete on 1288973654

[Tony McC]

Probably too late now, but the biggest selling surfacer retarder for concrete is Rugasol from Sika. If you reverse the first part of the name, it gives a clue to the main ingredient. :;):

While it probably isn't available ex-stock from the usual BMs a good civils merchant should have it, or be able to get it within 24 hrs.

[GB_Groundworks]

as in ragusol? = sugar or agur haha