Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 11:09 pm
I have had a look in the archives, but I am notoriously bad at negotiating forums, and I often find I am trying to do something that no normal human being would sensibly consider, so if this question already has an answer here, please just point me at it.
I have a patio that's 8m by 8m, not connected to a building. Its been made from concrete with metal reinforcing grill, plus glass fibre strand. Concrete was ready mixed and I finished it badly. Its very strong, but has some puddles on it, and isn't smooth
I now want to finish it.
Can someone please explain my options for
1. laying 40x 40 slabs 4.5mm thick, what preparation do I need to do, what bed do I use please
2. laying ( pouring?) a smooth surface, (I prefer some sort of colour/dye) grano, or mortar, again what prep and what materials/techniques should I use?
64m sq means cost per m is an issue. But I don't want to spend a lot of time and money to see it all flake and crumble after two years, plus it has to look better than the existing concrete, or there is no point in doing it.
I am in SW France, and while I can get hold of small quantities of additives from friends driving from the UK, big materials will have to be sourced locally. I am well known at the local quarry, which can deliver most loose building materials.
Many thanks
I have a patio that's 8m by 8m, not connected to a building. Its been made from concrete with metal reinforcing grill, plus glass fibre strand. Concrete was ready mixed and I finished it badly. Its very strong, but has some puddles on it, and isn't smooth
I now want to finish it.
Can someone please explain my options for
1. laying 40x 40 slabs 4.5mm thick, what preparation do I need to do, what bed do I use please
2. laying ( pouring?) a smooth surface, (I prefer some sort of colour/dye) grano, or mortar, again what prep and what materials/techniques should I use?
64m sq means cost per m is an issue. But I don't want to spend a lot of time and money to see it all flake and crumble after two years, plus it has to look better than the existing concrete, or there is no point in doing it.
I am in SW France, and while I can get hold of small quantities of additives from friends driving from the UK, big materials will have to be sourced locally. I am well known at the local quarry, which can deliver most loose building materials.
Many thanks