Pavers Over Concrete Slab
you can also do stamped concrete overlays -
here is an EXAMPLE of a product that can be used
http://www.increte.com/engineered-systems/overlays/thin-crete/
Since this forum is called "DIY: Home Fix-It" (and not "Hire A Contractor: Home Fix-It")..
Paving is very doable if you use e.g. 4x8 concrete pavers, or any other engineered stone/paver for this purpose. Besides regular side pavers you can also get circle kits at lumber yards, and all sorts of other block products. HD is limited and expensive; find a lumberyard of masonry supply instead, you'll save a bundle. If you have a large slab, you can even consider putting in a nice grill/kitchen space or something like that. Use the slab to your advantage.
For paving, you'd need a 1" base of course sand (masonry sand). Use two 1" pipes as a spacer for the sand, then pull a screeding board over it to get a nice even 1" layer of sand. Pull pipes forward, fill in the hole.
Put pavers on top of the sand (which is easy). The trick is to gently put them straight down without disturbing the sand bed, and without shifting them towards an adjacent paver (since that would trap sand between them, causing problems for maintaining your pattern).
Make sure you use the plastic strips and 1 foot spikes that exist for this application to lock in the sides of your patio; those strips are crucial for maintaining the shape and integrity of the patio. Use a angle grinder with a diamond blade to make any cuts for odd shapes. Use safety gear and all that..
Unilock has an FAQ about this:
http://unilock.com/blog/installing-pavers-on-concrete/
Soul_29 said:
Anyone have any experience with a contractor who did this? Don't want to tear out exisiting 1960's concrete patio ... Just want to go over it with fresh pavers ...
Thanks.
Sorry, no direct experience, but if the slab is sound, there is absolutely no reason that pavers cannot be overlaid. Even if minor cracks are present, as long as smaller pavers are used, an overlay would be fine.
Anyone have any experience with a contractor who did this? Don't want to tear out exisiting 1960's concrete patio ... Just want to go over it with fresh pavers ...
Thanks.