Patio layers

SteelyDanJalapeno

Hi All,

Tackling a patio for the next project, looking for some tips or pointers from those who have done their own!

What base layer did you use? Is hardcore ok? Or is there something else I should be looking for, and how deep did you go with this? I was thinking 3-6 inches.

Is the next layer sand then? Again what depth?

We'll be finishing it with straight edge limestone or sandstone then, what adhesive should I use? Mortar?

tia

leinster93

Had it professionally done. Just Finished with yellow granite.
Had old concrete slabs taken out. They put down just hardcore 804 base 1 inch compacted, ran their line and used concrete for each slab. For the joints they used https://jointit.com/products/joint-it-simple/

It's a top job in fairness, patio, artificial grass and a sleeper planting bed.

SteelyDanJalapeno

leinster93 wrote: »

Had it professionally done. Just Finished with yellow granite.
Had old concrete slabs taken out. They put down just hardcore 804 base 1 inch compacted, ran their line and used concrete for each slab. For the joints they used https://jointit.com/products/joint-it-simple/

It's a top job in fairness, patio, artificial grass and a sleeper planting bed.

Nice! 1 inch seems weak but I suppose you wouldn't be driving on it.

Any pics?

Bargain_Hound

leinster93 wrote: »

Had it professionally done. Just Finished with yellow granite.
Had old concrete slabs taken out. They put down just hardcore 804 base 1 inch compacted, ran their line and used concrete for each slab. For the joints they used https://jointit.com/products/joint-it-simple/

It's a top job in fairness, patio, artificial grass and a sleeper planting bed.

Only 1 inch? What was underneath the old concrete slabs that were taken out?

Typically on compacted soil, ideally you would be looking at 70-100mm 804, compacted in two layers for a solid foundation to lay a mortar/paving on.

policarp

First step is to remove all vegitable topsoil.
Then fill with hardcore.

SteelyDanJalapeno

policarp wrote: »

First step is to remove all vegitable topsoil.
Then fill with hardcore.

Cheers, I have the top sod layer gone, working my through the top soil now.

I'm thinking I'll surround it on all sides with a French drain all falling to one corner where I can meet my existing drains

Lantus

Take a look at outdoor porcelain. Doesn't go green or stain. Looks great. You could use pedestals on hard core or lay on a good 804 base and 25mm mortar layer with backs painted with sticky bonder. Lay to fall towards drain as non porous.

leinster93

Lantus wrote: »

Take a look at outdoor porcelain. Doesn't go green or stain. Looks great. You could use pedestals on hard core or lay on a good 804 base and 25mm mortar layer with backs painted with sticky bonder. Lay to fall towards drain as non porous.

Apologies. Looked back on the cameras. can see based on the wheelbarrow loads it's closer to 100mm hardcore. The contractor did actually say the depth would be 100mm and compacted.

leinster93

SteelyDanJalapeno wrote: »

Cheers, I have the top sod layer gone, working my through the top soil now.

I'm thinking I'll surround it on all sides with a French drain all falling to one corner where I can meet my existing drains

Fall on mine done similar to one corner. Got them to add in a french drain to existing drain. He wasnt goin to do it but I asked for it just in case...

leinster93

SteelyDanJalapeno wrote: »

Nice! 1 inch seems weak but I suppose you wouldn't be driving on it.

Any pics?

See pics attached.

SteelyDanJalapeno

leinster93 wrote: »

See pics attached.

Lovely! Nice low maintenance garden going forward

hesker

Check out pavingexpert.com

All your questions will be answered.

Then buy his book. Top class guy. He is probably the most widely recognised expert across Britain and Ireland.

I used his website to lay a flexible block paved patio. A guy who came in to lay a new lawn for me was impressed to the point he wanted me to go into business with him.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Very long overdue update on this! We went with Black Limestone in the end, everything was done DIY, delighted with how it turned out, I ended up going far too deep, went about 9 inches, I reckon 4 or 5 would have been fine.

No very recent photos, I've since level the garden down to meet it flush