Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:43 am
Hi
I am about to attempt my first patio, but am a little confused on a couple of issues.
I am using what seems to be called Riven Slabs in various sizes from 600 x 600 to the smallest 300 x 300 to cover in total 24 square meters. At present I have dug out about 150mm, put down plantex weed control, and 50mm of 40mm scalpings which have been compacted down by a plate compactor.
The edges of the patio and path will butt against the lawn hopefully to make mowing easier and must be securely fixed.
Now from this point I was intending on putting down 30mm compacted grit sand and then a 50 mm wet mix of 4 parts sharp sand, 2 parts soft sand, 1 part cement and some plasticizer. To lay the slabs on. (as per the Tommy Walsh book of outdoor DIY). However after reading your site I am leaning towards the dry mix method as I am intending to work a small area at a time and will probably be very slow at getting them down.
1: Which method do you recommend I use?
2: If it turns out to be the dry mix method how do I finishing preparing the sub base, should I add more scalpings or have a thicker layer of sand?
3: I also need to add a step to the patio doors. I was thinking of concrete with a brick edge in a semi circle shape. Should I do the step first and try to cut the slabs around it or put the step on top of the slabs?
I am about to attempt my first patio, but am a little confused on a couple of issues.
I am using what seems to be called Riven Slabs in various sizes from 600 x 600 to the smallest 300 x 300 to cover in total 24 square meters. At present I have dug out about 150mm, put down plantex weed control, and 50mm of 40mm scalpings which have been compacted down by a plate compactor.
The edges of the patio and path will butt against the lawn hopefully to make mowing easier and must be securely fixed.
Now from this point I was intending on putting down 30mm compacted grit sand and then a 50 mm wet mix of 4 parts sharp sand, 2 parts soft sand, 1 part cement and some plasticizer. To lay the slabs on. (as per the Tommy Walsh book of outdoor DIY). However after reading your site I am leaning towards the dry mix method as I am intending to work a small area at a time and will probably be very slow at getting them down.
1: Which method do you recommend I use?
2: If it turns out to be the dry mix method how do I finishing preparing the sub base, should I add more scalpings or have a thicker layer of sand?
3: I also need to add a step to the patio doors. I was thinking of concrete with a brick edge in a semi circle shape. Should I do the step first and try to cut the slabs around it or put the step on top of the slabs?
