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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:26 pm
by sunseeker
Hi
Before I start I'm sorry if I sound stupid!!!
I want to have a bigger than normal gap between each patio slab and have the gap filled with tiny pea shingle (or something similar). Is there a way of setting the shingle in rigid (so that it doesn't get kicked around)
I hope that makes sense.
Many thanks, all help & advice really appreciated.
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:45 pm
by Tony McC
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:02 pm
by PatioPete
I am intending to make the gaps between my sandstone slabs/flags between 50mm & 70mm as a feature and to fill the gap with small stones (larger than pea gravel).
a) Can anybody think of any drawbacks?
b) Should I ensure the bedding mix covers the entire sub base?
c) Is there any advantage/disadvantage to stiffening up the bedding mix/
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:08 am
by Tony McC
a) unless bound in some way, the gravel will come loose. It will also fill up with crap, and it will not halp prevent rotation of the flags.
b) yes
c) The laying course MUST be bound, preferably using cement.
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:56 pm
by Rich H
The only paving I've seen work like this is a barn conversion courtyard laid with cathedral stone where the owner wanted an instant ancient look. Moss was encouraged to grow on the shingle and slabs were already well weathered and lichened.
As Tony says, unless you bond the shingle in resin (which is not for the novice) the stones will be loose - don't think you can press them into mortar - it doesn't work. This can be an issue after the paving has been down a year or so and you want to clean it.
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:03 pm
by PatioPete
Thanks, Tony & Rich for your responses so far
The shingle/stone size is probably 10/15mm and so (hopefully)won't fly around as much as pea shingle/gravel and the patio area itself isn't huge. With this in mind I can probably live with the drawbacks you predict. ....time will tell!!
Could I just clarify the laying/bedding question though. Bearing in mind the gaps I propose,
a) would 8:1 be better than 10:1
b) how wet should the mix be
c) is grit sand known by any other name, cuz my local suppliers don't seem to have heard of grit sand (must be a regional ting!!)
Thank you in anticipation, and for Tony - 
remarkable website!!
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:58 pm
by Rich H
a) that's not really a big enough difference to matter. Personally, I'd rather lay it all on 4:1 but opinions differ.
b) Just enough water to not be fluid; 1/2 - 1 bucket of water per mixer load depending on the moisture content of the sand to begin with
c) sharp sand is probably the most commonly used name (never seen anything else on the bags dahn sahf).