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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:34 pm
by andyfr
We live out in the sticks and have a very long drive. At present it’s just gravel but I would like to do a hard standing in front of the double garage, about 35m2, so I can use a pressure washer to clean the cars. I have a compact tractor with a backhoe so can dig out as much as necessary. I also have a heavy petrol compactor so can get the ground pretty firm and a cement mixer. I have been thinking about what to use and having looked on line Wickes do brindle blocks at £11.85m2.
I think block paving in rural areas just doesn't look right so was thinking that I would lay the blocks on a 100mm full mortar bed with 10mm gaps in stretcher bond and then point with either mortar or one of the resin grouts.
Is this a good plan or not? If not would I be better laying flags on the mortar bed instead?
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:14 pm
by lutonlagerlout
that will be a right PITA job andy
for a farm rural type application ,good old concrete is normally your friend
either that or lay the blocks flexible as per this site
cheers LLL 
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:20 pm
by andyfr
Thanks for the reply LLL. I had thought about concrete but we were wanting something which looked a bit nicer really and the neighbours had theirs done and even though plenty of fibres??? were added it's still cracked.
I was trying to get a similar effect to setts, would my idea not work at all?
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:10 pm
by Carberry
If you're going to go to the trouble of laying them like setts you may as well lay setts.
Lot of reasons why your neighbours could have cracked, no expansion joint, dried too quickly. crap mix, heavy load, subsidence, rain washing out cement etc
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:13 pm
by lutonlagerlout
concrete block paving with mortar joints would take forever and a day to do,and look pants
if the budget stretches setts
or maybe do concrete bays framed with setts or block paving
no bay to be bigger than 4m in any direction
LLL
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:41 pm
by Pablo
If the area is only 35m2 and your hearts set on this kind of finish then I'd suggest you use clay blocks which will cost a bit more but the area's small so it won't be much. Clay paviors laid with a mortar joint look great it's a very traditional looking finish and will last forever I'd steer clear of doing this with concrete blocks they'll look rubbish with pointing once they've weathered. Concrete only cracks if it's badly done. Pointing even a small area like this with the 2 part resins will be very expensive although it will be quick and easy as well as neat slurried mortar would be the cheapest method but not the easiest.
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:46 pm
by andyfr
Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate your advice. I will try to find out a price for clay blocks although not sure who will stock them in the Inverness area, any ideas?
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:51 pm
by Pablo
Jewsons on the Longman should be able to source them from other branches.
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:53 pm
by andyfr
Thanks Pablo, I'll give them a try. I still have an account there.
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:04 pm
by lutonlagerlout
clays are normally around £25 per metre
LLL
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:08 pm
by andyfr
So just over double the price, but will look three times as good.
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:03 am
by andyfr
Been having a think about this and checked the site for inspiration. A good compromise could be 400mm square flags, on 3 for 2 offer at B&Q at the moment, bedded on a 100mm full mortar bed with either blocks or clays like this:
What do you think?