Cheapest path and patio

[paul243]

The paths and patio around my property are old concrete which in sound condition but starting to crack in places and looks ugly.Can anyone suggest the cheapest DIY method and material to smarten it up.It will only need to take foot traffic and the wheeli bins! Should I use pavers,Indian stone or other.I don't fancy concrete flags or tarmac.Can I simply lay a new surface on top of the concrete,I don't want to excavate it!!
Thanks

[topgrafter2007]

resin bound gravels are a poss. you can buy the stuff yourself. if the concretes sound and not likely to crack or shift then id look at that. looks smart when done and hides many small cosmetic issues. never done it myself so read up 1st.

[paul243]

Hi Thanks for reply,is it laid loose on top of the existing concrete or fixed in some way?

[topgrafter2007]

2ways to lay it, pour a resin on to your surface then pour on small gravel and trowel flat, sets in short time or you mix the resin and gravel in mixer but thats bit more complex and more for the tradesmen. company called polycote sent brochure to me other day and it was listed in there products. they have website i think.

[jay-Manor Driveways]

50mm block paving will be a sound option and relatively cheap as long as you follow some basic guide lines (which will be found on this site )

[msh paving]

Dont forget by laying 50mm pavoirs you need 90mm below 2 courses from damp to allow for laying course sand

resin bonded - the best company to talk to is ronacrete look on the main site for contact details, simeon from them is often lurking in the forums MSH

[Rich H]

This is an important point. Unless you have the luxury of the existing paving being 200-250mm below the DPC it's unlikely that you'll get away without excavating. Remember that the previous people wouldn't have wanted to dig any further than absolutely necessary either!

[lutonlagerlout]

we really should ask what area there is to be covered? and what is your total budget?
LLL

[Rich H]

Ok. What area is there to be covered and what is your total budget?

[lutonlagerlout]

lol rich
LLL

[Tony McC]

The cheapest, simplest cover-up for owld concrete is a granolithic mortar. However, there's no point putting a good new surface over the top of crap, and any cracks may well 'reflect' though the new surface.

[paul243]

we really should ask what area there is to be covered? and what is your total budget?
LLL

Thanks for replies,total area is approx 48 square metres,including 10% wastage.I'm assuming no excavation is needed,either pavers on sand or decorative slabs on mortar dabs.Existing concrete is 20 cm below DPC.Can I get away with this.Budget is "as little as possible"! Any suggestions?

[DNgroundworks]

I think you should just be able to get away with that depth (200mm) depending on what you lay for example 40mm flags on a motar bed will leave you approx 140 - 150mm below dpc.

Hope this helps:)

[DNgroundworks]

Id lay decorative flags just butted up together.

[paul243]

Id lay decorative flags just butted up together.

Can i just lay on mortar dabs,?will be only foot traffic