How to lay a patio without cement

Many people assume that laying paving slabs on concrete is a difficult task and one that’s better left to the experts.

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How to lay a patio for beginners

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But arm yourself with the right tools and know-how and you can create a patio that beautifully enhances your garden.

Whether you’re mixing the concrete yourself, laying paving on existing concrete, or covering old paving slabs, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to show you how it’s done.

Follow our tips for a durable and attractive outdoor space that’s not only practical, but looks great too.

 

How to lay a patio onto new concrete

Quick look:

Laying a patio onto concrete or on top of existing paving stones involves seven main steps.

These are as follows:

1. Mark the area.
2. Dig a bed that’s 105mm deep.
3. Add a 50mm sub-base layer.
4. Mix the concrete – one part cement to six parts ballast.
5. Add a 30mm layer of concrete mix.
6. Lay the paving slabs, leaving 8 to 10mm spaces between them.
7. Fill the joints with the mortar mix.

 

Tools needed:

Before starting any DIY proje

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