pavers on top of a concrete patio
Feroze Daud
3 years ago
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Yardvaark
3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agoRelated Discussions
your comments regarding laying paver on old concrete patio
Comments (14)Since the existing patio is on a granular base (as opposed to solid concrete) I would absolutely, positively NOT consider any mortared work on top of it. The reason is that the earth is a flexible surface. Though it moves so slowly you can't see it, it is doing it nevertheless. If you were to mortar flagstone or thin brick on top of it, this work would effectively be only as thick as the mortar that glued it on ... 1/2" maybe (?) It wouldn't be thick enough to support itself as the earth underneath shifts. If you're going to mortar something on top, you need a 4" solid concrete, driveway-like base (3 1/2" actual) that will not flex at all. But you could go over it with regular thickness pavers on sand IF you insulate the two layers with an inch of sand. (This is predicated on knowing that the existing base is of SOLID compacted material. Since it's been there a good while, its present shape is a good indicator of how solid the base is.) I would go so far as to say that if the present patio was perfect condition -- smooth, of perfect grade, and all slab joints perfectly matched -- you could go over it without the sand insulation. But it's not likely that it's that perfect. If you go over it, one thing you'll need to pre-plan carefully is the finish grade. It looks like your grade might end up being too high. I don't know what all the holes at the foundation are for, but they're probably not wanting to be blocked. If you need a lower grade, sell all those slabs on craigslist (someone would probably love to have them ... they look like step treads, BTW) and build directly onto your already existing base....See MorePatio - stamped concrete vs. pavers - Conflicting Info
Comments (18)You know, it's interesting how when we travel to Europe or other parts of the world where we can see buildings several hundred years old, we appreciate the patina of age on things -- plaster showing its age, cracked stone paving, irregular color in brick, time-worn marble, and so on. In the US we always want to rip out the old, solid materials because of minor imperfectons, and replace them with something shiny, new, and not necessarily of equal quality. If there is a real problem with your tiles -- undermined and unstable surface, safety issues, water leaks, or whatever -- sure, replace them. But otherwise the older material has charm that pavers do not have, in particular with your nice brick wall and balusters. You'd want all your architectural elements to be speaking the same language....See Morerowhouse patio....pavers over concrete or over gravel/sand?
Comments (1)Things fall towards the ground, water is wet, and concrete will crack. These are some essential truths. The reason some installers prefer to use a concrete base is that rather than wheelbarrowing and compacting gravel, they find it quicker and easier to form and pour a slab. I could see this as an advantage in a tight urban lot like a rowhouse. That said, I still prefer pavers over a compacted gravel base. It's what they were designed for. If the base is deep enough and properly compacted the patio will take vehicular traffic without blinking, although they would likely have to excavate deeper (more $) to get a proper gravel base than they would for a sufficiently strong slab. It's a toss-up. Both methods will work. The only other thing I would say is that water penetration for the vine is irrelevant. Unless you opt to use permeable pavers, there's very little difference between a paver patio and a concrete or asphalt pad. Between the compacted-hard-as-concrete aggregate base and the polymeric sand in the super tiny joints, water's not getting under those pavers. It's running right off....See MorePatio idea-Overlay paver ontop of cracked concrete-help
Comments (5)We had cracks in the patio around the pool after 20+ years and had 1" pavers installed over top. It rather depends on if your cracks are stable. They secure the perimater border pavers with adhesive and then install the field pavers and fill with sand. Paver patios have to be refilled with sand from time to time, but at least the pavers move and don't crack like concrete....See MorePatricia Colwell Consulting
3 years agoKath
3 years agoYardvaark
3 years agoKath
3 years agoRevolutionary Gardens
3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agoRevolutionary Gardens
3 years agoYardvaark
3 years agoFeroze Daud
3 years agoYardvaark
3 years agoFeroze Daud
3 years agoYardvaark
3 years agoRevolutionary Gardens
3 years ago
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