Block paving patio - Uses of rigid/flexible construction

[Mike_G]

Hi, hoping for some advice. looked at a job and the customer wanted the driveway block paved approx 30m2 and then a further 40m2 of block paving for a light use patio.

Is it possible to achieve the patio by bedding the blocks on a semi dry grit mix (omitting the need for a sub base) and compacting whilst you go and then using a kd sand to brush into the joints as you would on a flexible construction?

I have tried to research as much as i can but cant quite find a definitive answer.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[lutonlagerlout]

why cant you just do a normal block paving detail?
thing is you never want to lay on top of topsoil
i dont like laying block paving on sand/cement mix,as any movement results in a crack that cannot be easily fixed
LLL

[Mike_G]

Hi LLL, thanks for the response

The main reason is money, but not at the cost of a second rate job of course.

The customer has a set budget and it might not stretch to the costs involved and i was just weighing up construction options due to the fact that the load bearing will only be that of patio use.

I guess the term false economy is springing to mind, but out of interest in your opinion apart from movement and the associated crack do you see a problem with using a flexible bond between the blocks on a rigid base? any problems that may occur from water ingress between blocks to laying course?

[lutonlagerlout]

there are lots of reasons why rigid can be a pain in the rear
water cannot get away
if it fails it is difficult to rectify
its messy
i would only consider it where it is being used as a crossover onto a gravel drive
LLL
ps with a subbase

[Mike_G]

Thanks for the input LLL, its appreciated.