The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:35 pm**

Hi I'm a newbie to the forum.

Been checking out the (great) site for some time and wanted to see if anyone could offer any experience of using beam and block in the garden. Its been suggested by the designer as a possible way to cut costs where we have to install a granite slab patio adjacent a new extension on made ground and fill. (sloping site).
The idea being that it would save a lot of muck away and also save importing proper mot. I believe the beams have camber to them and are normally mortar grouted then a 65mm concrete screed, then your full mortar bed and paving.

Anyone know of any issues to be aware of
Is it likely to be cheaper than usual dig out, fill and consolidate?( waiting for price from Hanson)
we have advised a slit drain next to the concertina patio doors ( they want contiguous floor level in/out) Thanks in advance.mike

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:26 pm**

would not even think off the idea,you need to dig footings and blockwork to hold the beams up,the camber in the beams is only enough to lay flat once blocks are fitted,due to the tensioned wires in them,
the cost will far outway type 1 and normal construction methods for a patio,if the site is sloping a small 9" retaining wall is all thats needed
where did the designer get this idea from? MSH

Edited By msh paving on 1300728415

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:47 pm**

cheers msh I must admit I can't believe materials are gonna be cheap either. Apparently the idea came from a competing contractor. I'd never used it before so said I'd check it out. I think you'd have to allow for an extra wall at the house end too cos a beams got 2 ends after all!

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:05 pm**

depends how much youve got to build the level up by, id price it and see, we do lots of block and beam on new builds and its qiuck to go in once all your preps done

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:08 pm**

block and beam is fast for bad ground where heave may be an issue,
but it couldnt be cheaper than layers of crushed concrete and a small wall
LLL

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:30 pm**

have you any idea of the weight? You'd break your back handling them

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:35 pm**

my brothers work make these and there heavy, you would need a crane to move them.

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:41 pm**

pah youve all gone soft on your h&s cant take a crap without a method statement Â£100m+ sites

hahahaha

depends on the length of them but yeah youd need a machine to lay the longer ones but would want a machine anyway to put the packs of block on the beams to speed up install times.

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:57 pm**

giles welcome to our world, sacked for any breach of h/s no matter how stupid.

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:29 pm**

i have done loads of block and beam and have the blood blisters to prove it!
way over spec for any patio IMHO
LLL

Posted: **Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:10 am**

thanks all. 60% of the beams will be 2.5m long and the rest 3.5m
still seems a bit over the top - total area is only 36 sqm !! drop off the front is 1m but will be staggerred with steps and raised beds etc. Access is ok & level but barrow run 50m. I'm also thinking a good well rammed base and wall will be better next to the footings of the extension.

Thanks for your comments

The Brew Cabin

New patio on beam and block - Any pointers?