Sorry to frustrate you with yet another newbie list of questions!!
But I have visited every link on your site (and all google) but it's all a bit technical for me
I am about to purchase a sandstone circle and paving, at great expense to me, and have joe bloggs down the road helping ME lay it. I cannot afford any mistakes so I would be forever in debt to all you craftsmen for your valued advice
Basically, I have a compacted clay base on which to lay the slabs.
So what would you recommend as a sub base?
What kind of bed? (dabs or solid?)
What mix (ratio sand/cement)?
What m joints & what type of mortar?
And what colour joints look best? (sahara yellow I have chose)
Please dont flame me, I really have tried my best to research this project :;):
In as gentle a voice as I can manage, read the main website. All the answers to every question you have asked are given there, and in far more details than I'm prepared to re-type here.
Start on the Laying Riven Flags page and you won't go far wrong. I don't know how you managed to miss it, if you've tried every link on the site!
Finally, all sense of gentility will vanish if you dare to use the spot bed (dabs) method. "Flamed" is too mild a description for the fate that lies in wait for those who transgress.
Joy, this is a good and decent lot, unlikely to be unkind just because of your gender -- they'll be more than fair to you so long as you read the main website and ask questions that show you've given it some thought before asking.
Just that I got confused :p , I tried reading all the hyper links etc, but kept going round in circles, reading bits of everything and I still didn't get all my questions answered!!
So I posted the questions I needed answering, and get a reply (which I knew I would) sending me back to what I already read!!, now, I dont expect anyone to type pages in response, but if one persone each give their opinion on one thing I would probably find my help. (not that I insist upon it)
I still cant find all my answers (I think I am unfamiliar with the builders terms) it's comprehensive enough, just I can't understand it.
I can't see why you're struggling. F'rinstance, the advice/comments I make about spot bedding are pretty unambiguous, so why ask if you should use spots or a full bed? The answer is there - only a full bed is suitable for flag laying.
The same with a sub-base - there's a FAQ covering whether a sub-base is necessary, and if so, what type of material should be used. For most flagged patios, a sub-base is not required.
As for bedding and jointing mixes, I've lost count of the number of posts in this very forum that mention a 10:1 bedding mix and a Class II jointing mortar (4:1).
These aren't difficult "builders' terms": these are simple names for basic technique and materials. I have to retain some semblence of sanity, so I can't describe bedding layers as 'sandy stuff', or sub-base as 'stony stuff'. Part of the process of understanding a technique is understanding the terms used to describe its component materials and processes, and I honestly believe that every construction term used on the site is explained and/or defined in simple, everyday language at least once.
If you wan't basic answers to your questions then...
Sub-base - Type 1 crushed stone compacted in layers.
Bed - 10:1 grit sand with cement as a full bed
Mix ratio - as above
Joints - Class II mortar (4:1)
Colour - probably a dark brown or black
... although I still believe the info on the main site is much more detailed and relevant.
