Paving / Patio Moulds

[JohanJones]

Hi all,

Am looking to use a cement mould, not one that casts indivudual slabs but one in which you pour the cement mix in to a plastic frame (no bottom) whilst in final position...examples here.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paving-P...8805?pt=UK_Paving_Decking&hash=item3f295c5db5

Mine will be a slab/brick type one (forming 8 shapes within it) and my question is regarding the mix please.

I know if I am casting individual slabs that the mix should include gravel, sharp (and/or river sand) and cement (with or without a dye)...but what should the mix be for the mould I am going to be using?

The formed slab/brick pattern will not be moved or lifted from the area where it is formed making up a patio and will be 50mm deep. It has a pattern of 8 square/oblong sections within it's 50cm x 50cm frame.

I was thinking a combination of 3 sharp and possibly 1 building sand to 1 part cement, or should I ditch the building sand idea. Remembering that the mould is meant to just lift up off each time the mixture starts to stiffen slightly, getting on with the next adjacent forming square etc.

Many thanks
Johan