Granite slabs - Cost effective laying

[wiredcharlie]

I've ordered a number of pallets of 300 x 600 x inchish Granite slabs to lay in a brickwork pattern on my patio (foot traffic only).

What is the most cost effective way to lay these without gaps?

Thanks

Tony

[Pablo]

You could either pour a slab and lay them like tiles or lay them on 40mm of mortar over a compacted stone base the latter will be cheaper material wise the former will be cheaper labour wise. Personally granite looks rubbish butt jointed thats what builders do to keep the costs down and it looks cheap and allows weeds to grow. A 3-5mm joint really lifts the paving and adds a real sense of class to it. Adding joints won't add much cost if you're doing the work yourself.



Edited By Pablo on 1336071552

[wiredcharlie]

It's a bit over 70sqm altogether. I'm paying some builders to lay it who have done some serious groundwork and terracing. I've been trying to convince them that laying on grit or grit and cement is what architects specify on commercial jobs, but they are unconvinced. I appreciate completely that there are bullet proof methods, but what I'm after is the best compromise. I'm not planning to move house next week, so I don't want to spend a fiver now so I have to spend another ten later. I don't think there is enough depth to pour a slab, but that is an appealing idea.

[Pablo]

If you're spending the kind of money I think you're spending on 70m of granite then there should be no compromise whatsoever. Do it right that way you'll be proud of it rather thanl ook at it everyday and think you could've had a better job. What is the builder suggesting they should do. It shouldn't be laid on grit it'll fail so they are right to be sceptical.

[wiredcharlie]

I suspect I'm spending less than you think I am!
I've ordered this.

[Pablo]

At that price don't be surprised if it all spoils and rusts when exposed to the elements. What does the builder want to do.

[haggistini]

You won't be able t butt joint them accurately over 70 m2 as there will be some variation in size and a slight bevel edge means you can't correct the joint lenth ways on half bond with a saw I would go for 3-4 mm joint minimum and use an epoxy resin that will flow in to the joints and strike out the bevel edge with the top of a big round head nail before it sets .....add some flair with a boarder of your choice to set it off bit like this

[badger2020]

I'm laying a patio using 600X900X30 silver granite slabs and am very interested as to options for jointing same