More patio laying question..

[mangroa]

Hi,
Been reading the patio threads and pavingexpert.com to prepare for our new patio.
We now have the sandstone ready and the ground prepared. Going to lay them on a full bed of mortar. This stuff...
http://www.stonemarket.co.uk/marketstone.asp

I've got a couple questions to answer before we start laying them...

1. What should the gap be between the slabs? Current plan is to use 15mm thick pieces of wood as spacers. Is that too much or too little?

2. Should we try to point them as we lay them, using the same bedding mix? Or should we lay them all then point using a dedicated mix for pointing a couple days later? I think dedicated pointing mix will give a more consistent finish.

3. We plan on building some steps where the step over hangs the brick riser. How much is it safe to overhang the slab without risking the edge snaps off?

Many thanks
Alan

 

[Thermo]

Hi,
Been reading the patio threads and pavingexpert.com to prepare for our new patio.
We now have the sandstone ready and the ground prepared. Going to lay them on a full bed of mortar. This stuff...
http://www.stonemarket.co.uk/marketstone.asp

I've got a couple questions to answer before we start laying them...

1. What should the gap be between the slabs? Current plan is to use 15mm thick pieces of wood as spacers. Is that too much or too little?

Dont bother with spacers, they are not like floor tiles you will be better doing it by eye. Stonemarket normally give very good info on the packs of their slabs which should give a spacing guide.

2. Should we try to point them as we lay them, using the same bedding mix? Or should we lay them all then point using a dedicated mix for pointing a couple days later? I think dedicated pointing mix will give a more consistent finish.

i always point them after, it gives a more consitent finish in the mix and you will be using a different mix for the two jobs, with a different moisture content.


3. We plan on building some steps where the step over hangs the brick riser. How much is it safe to overhang the slab without risking the edge snaps off?

It will take a lot to snap the edges off, you can quite easily overhang them by a couple of inches.


Many thanks
Alan

 

[mangroa]

Thanks for that fast reply!

Thats made things much more clear.

Alan