Laying a patio, what mortar mix? - Do i use sharp sand or builders sand?

[djmaniks]

Hello,

I am making a patio in my garden for general use.

It seems to me there are two techniques of laying the slabs...

1. Laying slabs on a dry mix of sharp sand and cement.
2. Laying slabs on a wet Mortar bed.

I would like to use the second technique of a wet mortar bed, and want to know weather to use sharp sand or builders sand for this mortar mix? and at what ratio?

Does anyone know? Thanks

[rab1]

Sharp sand 4-1 and without being cheeky read the main site as all of your questions are thoroughly explained and will offer you a lot of useful advice. :;):

[djmaniks]

Thank you for your reply Rab1.

Why is Sharp sand prefered?

And to respond to your 'cheeky' point, I actually read through pages of jargon on the site and could not find a Black and White answer to my question. I'd be interested if you could send me a link to the page that mentions this...

[darrenba]

Here you go, it's all described fully on this page

http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag3.htm

[local patios and driveway]

this is such a common question, maybe theres a need for a single page with more specific detail thats easier to find

[London Stone Paving]

this is such a common question, maybe theres a need for a single page with more specific detail thats easier to find

This is a good idea. I have also noticed that some of the regular posters seem to get annoyed sometimes when a member of the public asks a seemingly obvious question. I think we need to be a bit more sympathetic to these questions and not just say that the answer is on the main site somewhere. We are the experts and people are coming on the site for our advice. Sometimes even though people have read the info on the main site they will still require re-assurance. It might also encourage more people to use the site as there are lots of people who just lurk and dont actually get involved in the site.

[Carberry]

Maybe a FAQ stickied in each relevant forum?

[djmaniks]

Thank you for your help everyone.

The thing is for a novice like me, every website says a different thing with regards to Builders sand or Sharp sand, and the ratios.

Why do some say use half Buidlers and half Sharp? Or some say use Sharp sand with a splash of Builders?

[Carberry]

Thank you for your help everyone.

The thing is for a novice like me, every website says a different thing with regards to Builders sand or Sharp sand, and the ratios.

Why do some say use half Buidlers and half Sharp? Or some say use Sharp sand with a splash of Builders?

Sharp sand stronger. Building sand 'sticks' better.
No need to mix the sands, takes more time, more space, it is inconvenient and it isn't beneficial.

[djmaniks]

Thank you for your help everyone.

The thing is for a novice like me, every website says a different thing with regards to Builders sand or Sharp sand, and the ratios.

Why do some say use half Buidlers and half Sharp? Or some say use Sharp sand with a splash of Builders?

Sharp sand stronger. Building sand 'sticks' better.
No need to mix the sands, takes more time, more space, it is inconvenient and it isn't beneficial.

Thanks Carberry. Very helpful.

And what do you reccomend for pointing?

[Carberry]

Thank you for your help everyone.

The thing is for a novice like me, every website says a different thing with regards to Builders sand or Sharp sand, and the ratios.

Why do some say use half Buidlers and half Sharp? Or some say use Sharp sand with a splash of Builders?

Sharp sand stronger. Building sand 'sticks' better.
No need to mix the sands, takes more time, more space, it is inconvenient and it isn't beneficial.

Thanks Carberry. Very helpful.

And what do you reccomend for pointing?

4:1 building sand cement.

If you have more money you can get something like easipoint at about £25 a bag or if you have even more money to spend on it get a polymeric brush in like gtfk .