Pointing with a dry bed - Is mortar pointing a viable option??

[Eddy]

Hi All,

I've read the associated book and lots of the website....I'm now nearly ready to start my DIY project:
28m2 garden patio using 430mm x 380mm serenity paving slabs (I think from Bradstone??)

I am still a little uncertain with regards the bedding layer. I was planning to just use 40mm grit sand, but the slabs I'm using will look better if pointed. So my question is:
Can slabs be effectively pointed when using a dry bed.
In my (novice) mind I'm thinking that the mortar for the pointing will need something to bond against on the underside? Will this method provide enough strength?

Any hints / tips greatly appreciated.

Regards

Eddy

[lutonlagerlout]

dry bed?
the slabs must be bedded into a mixture of grit sand and cement 40 mm thick
obviously with varying amounts of water
and yes you do need to point it
LLL

[Eddy]

Thanks LLL.

When I said dry bed I meant, dry bedding layer / unbound bedding layer ie 40mm of grit sand.

Is that not a recommended approach?

[Rich H]

No. You've read the site and book?

[Eddy]

Hi,

This is what got me persuing the unbound option:

Also known as the "Bedding Layer". In an elemental pavement such as block paving or flags, this is the layer that carries the final surface layer. For segmental paving, this is usually a coarse grit sand, with a low clay content and with good drainage properties



Bedding layer
Flagstones can be bedded directly onto either:
o a coarse, grit sand bed, approximately 40mm thick
o a cement bound bed approximately 20-40mm thick
In general, most flagstones are laid onto a cement-bound material (a mortar or concrete). However, an unbound sand or grit bed can also be used when the situation warrants it. Just what that "situation" may be is examined in more detail on a separate page



......but now I'm definitely using a cement bound bed..just needed someone to say emphatically that cement bound is better.
Thanks

Eddy

[Rich H]

It's better and you'll find it easier. For mortar pointed joints, there's no realistic alternative.

[Eddy]

Excellent.

Thanks for your help.

Can you recommend any paving slab suppliers???
Still in shock from price!!

Regards
Eddy

[lutonlagerlout]

about the only time flags could be laid without cement is with pressed concrete flags in the street
slabs and flags do vary a lot in price

budget stuff for about a tenner a metre
injun stone and mid range roughly £20 per metre
honed stone and high end wet cast flags about £30 per metre
york stone etc lot of £££

LLL