What raw materials are needed to lay a patio ?

Question

I am laying a decorative slab patio that covers an area of approx 15 square metres.

Is my assumption correct in that if I am laying it on a bed of mortar, I will only need sand and cement ? How much sand and cement would I need and approx how much would this cost ?

What if I lay my slabs on a bed of just screeded sand ? How much sand would I need and approx what cost would this be ?

All help is appreciated........thanks a lot.

Answer 1

you have two options

1. Mix sharp sand, cement and water to a mortar and then put 5 spots on the ground per slab.

2. Mix dry sharp sand and cement and then level screed the area and lay slabs onto this.

Both methods will require the slabs to be tapped down a little to ensure good bond with the sand / cement.

Quantites will very much depend on ground conditions and levels. If more than say 50mm then I would reccomend some hardcore be imported and whack down to a hard level base.

Answer 2

I would suggest to install your forms level using 2x4s . Slab only needs to be 4" thick. Make sure you removes all soils and anything that decomposes. In other words down to sand or gravel. Line with wire mesh. The ready mix doesn't really shrink much per say. lay the bags down what do you think ? Think extra and return it. The bag will tell you if you want to do the math. You don't want to run out .It will help if you collect rocks around your yard to stuff inside some. As long as you have spaces in between and below the surface it will be stronger. Plan b Get some stone dust level it pack it and lay patio blocks. You said decorative.

Answer 3

3.6m x 3.6m x 50mm is approximately one ton of sand.... so 1.5 ton of sand will be plenty use 4part sand to 1 part cement all depending on use and soil type whether you need to use scalping's(hardcore)but is recommended for a good job, same area for working out hardcore... light foot use and firm soil IE clay may be OK just to use sand and cement mix....cement should not be more than 3£ a bag sand can vary from 10 to thirty pound a ton all depends on supplier or merchant's

Answer 4

not understanding if you are laying this on a bed of motar why do you want cememnt. the best way to lay cement is on alevel ground with re-bar and 2x4 sections no more than 4 foot. the bags of cement will tell you how many you need. multipy the length by the width and that will give you the square foot, no more than 4 inches deep.

Answer 5

if you are laying the slabs dry, that is, no mortrar between the slabs, just put down landscape fabric and sand compacted...if you are going to have mortar between the slabs pour a 4 in. slab of concrete and lay slabs on this in a bed of mortar...

Answer 6

...you need to excavate to allow 150mm of hardcore ,,then after you have whacked it ..mix 4 to 1 building sand and cement ...mix as if to lay bricks ..then fix slabs in old way of five dots one in each corner and one in middle ..this will never move or sink but will allow good drainage ....you will need 4.5 tonnes hardcore ...0.5 metre building sand ..5 bags cement

Answer 7

Are you trying to hide a corpse by any chance??