Often asked: How To Lay A Slate Patio Without Concrete?

Can you lay a patio without cement?

Adding sharp sand



If you‘re not confident about making a concrete bed, don’t worry – sharp sand is easier, and works just as well. It holds just as firm as cement and still allows water to escape beneath.

Can I lay flagstone directly in soil?

Consider using flagstones that are at least 1-1/2 inches thick as stepping stones or patio flooring. With the latter, flagstones can be laid directly in soil or a bed of sand. Thinner slabs should be laid in wet mortar or concrete to prevent cracking when stepped on.

Can you lay a patio on a dry mix?

I’ve just laid my patio on to a dry mix – works quite well. The ratio can be as low as 1:10 (1 cement, 10 sharp sand), or as high as 1:3, depending on the amount of foot traffic you expect, and what the sub base is like.

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Can you lay pavers on just sand?

Compacted concrete sand is then placed on top of this. A thin final layer of setting sand is the actual surface on which you place the pavers. Larger paving stones act like building footings. In other words, compacted sand can provide a sufficient base for a paver patio that’s just going to have you walking across it.

Can I lay slabs on membrane?

You can lay slabs directly onto weed control textile if you do not have a budget for a proper base but the slabs must be open jointed or the joints filled with gravel as grouting will not cope with the degree of ground movement.

Can I lay slabs on soil?

If you’re upgrading paving slabs that are already in place, dig these up before beginning. Dig a depth of around 150mm across the whole area, making sure the soil is evenly compacted. Then tip in the sub-base, raking it into a consistent depth of 100mm. Make sure it’s smooth, flat and firm.

What do you put under flagstone walkway?

Add Sand. With the weed block material in place, spread a few inches of sand out, making sure to keep it somewhat level (Image 1). For better drainage, make the middle of the pathway a bit higher than the sides for better run off. Tamp sand down for compaction (Image 2).

What is the best base for flagstone walkway?

Concrete, aggregate, bark, gravel, and stones can be set directly on stable soil; paths made of of other materials need a base. Sand is a good choice, but it can wash out from under pavers and bricks, making them settle unevenly. To prevent washout in rainy areas, layer sand over a 2-inch gravel base.

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What should I put between flagstone?

Sand. Sand is often a traditional material used between the cracks of pavers depending on if it’s irregular pavers or square ones and how close the gaps can be. The small granules will fill in the gaps between stones without leaving spaces.

What do you put under paving slabs?

Paving slabs are bedded in a mortar mix with four parts sharp sand to one part cement. Measure your quantities using a shovel or a bucket – for example, four buckets of sand for every one bucket of cement.

How thick should mortar be under slabs?

Add a mortar bed



The mortar should be damp, not runny. Spread it out and level it with a trowel. The mortar bed needs to be 30-40mm thick and should enable the slabs, when positioned, to sit 6-10mm high.

Do you wet sand before laying pavers?

The layer of sand should be from one to one and a half inches thick. The sand also needs to be dry, not wet.

How thick should SAND be under pavers?

The amount of sand you use can make or break your paver installation, so it’s best that you use no more than the recommended 1 inch. Here’s why: A sand layer that is too thick can create waves in your patio during the installation. Pressing pavers into a thick sand bed may result in misalignment and a messy look.

What is the best base for laying pavers?

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute recommends washed concrete sand as the best base sand for pavers. Concrete sand, also known as bedding sand, is coarse and doesn’t trap excess moisture beneath the paver surface.

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