Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Base material for paver patio
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rdalbright
11-07-05, 02:07 PM
Can some help me? I need some advice as to whether I need a concrete sub-base for a paver patio or the typical gravel/sand/stone dust intallation. I live in Northern Virginia - I'm getting equal recommendations for both versions, of course they want $5 sq/ft more for the concrete base, above the approx. $16/sq ft. The size of the job is about 250 sq. ft.
thanks!
thanks!
Concretemasonry
11-07-05, 02:32 PM
Much depends on what you are using as a patio surface.
If you are using the most common product, an interlocking concrete paver, you should not use a concrete base. These type of pavers are about the size of brick (4 x 8") or slightly larger. They are from 2 3/8" up to 4" thick. They are offfered in a number of different shapes that may be laid in different patterns. These units are laid in a 1" sand setting bed on top of a 4" to 6" thick gravel base. No mortar is involved.
If you are using clay pavers (less the 2 1/4" thick), you probably are required to use a concrete bed with mortar, since the pavers are not interlocked into a contiguous mass that distributes the load.
If you are using larger (12") concrete units, the base would depend on the unit thickness and the type of loads it would see.
Dick
If you are using the most common product, an interlocking concrete paver, you should not use a concrete base. These type of pavers are about the size of brick (4 x 8") or slightly larger. They are from 2 3/8" up to 4" thick. They are offfered in a number of different shapes that may be laid in different patterns. These units are laid in a 1" sand setting bed on top of a 4" to 6" thick gravel base. No mortar is involved.
If you are using clay pavers (less the 2 1/4" thick), you probably are required to use a concrete bed with mortar, since the pavers are not interlocked into a contiguous mass that distributes the load.
If you are using larger (12") concrete units, the base would depend on the unit thickness and the type of loads it would see.
Dick