Sand,grit or cement? - Patio

[niallsan]

Hi
I am about to start a 105sq.m patio out the back of the house. I'm planning 3 conc. sett circles and the rest is patio flags(400x400) all from Tobermore products. Now the elongated question. The website recommends grit sand for laying slabs of less than 450mm. In another part of the website a moist mix of mortar is recommended for diyers(definitely me). Is this mix also used for the setts? Given the size of the area to be done, the screeded grit sand bedding method would suit me better, as long as its not too difficult. I've been to the local quarry and the best agg. to put down for bedding would seem to be blinding???? I rang one quarry to ask about grit sand and he asked me, 'what was I using it for?'. Told him it was for a patio and he said he would do the mortar method - 'and I've been doin it for 20 years'.
A case of to much information!! Any more advice!!!???!!???

[lutonlagerlout]

yes but you need grit sand made into a semi dry mortar
also known as flooring sand,river wash sand ,hartican sand and screeding sand
they are all the same thing
1:10 mix
LLL

[niallsan]

Thanks for that. I really don't fancy mixing 105 sq.m of 10:1 mix! Might just have to grin and bear it!

[andpartington]

it wont be too bad if you use a mixer

andy

[lutonlagerlout]

its only 10 tonnes to knock up
about 100 gauges
LLL

[niallsan]

Ah lads(assuming) 'ye are havin a laugh! Whats a gauge? One mixer full is it?

[matt h]

close enough, you'll be wantin t scrub up after. could use a ready mix because of large area, but yr going to have to motor to get them bedded down in time:D

[niallsan]

I'll be doin this on my own so eventhough readymix would be ideal, I don't think its possible.

[Tony McC]

Clean sand as a laying course is best used for flexible construction: that is, flags laid with sand joints.

Most patio flags and all Indian sandstone/limestone are better laid on a mortar bed bacause they rely on mortar joints.

The problem is that there are so many types and sizes of flags that it's almost impossible to give categoric guidance and how each type should be laid. Despite the comments above, there are some types of Indian sandstone that can be laid on and jointed with sand, but they are the exception and not commonly available.

I tried to clarify the guidance on flag laying a couple of months ago by intorducing separate pages dealing with bedding, but I'm still not 100% happy with the information provided and as soon as I get a chance, I'll be re-visiting that section of the site to see if I can tidy up a little.