Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 07, 2010 09:59pm | #1

   Depends on the type and compaction of the soils under the added slab ccurve and if you dowel it to the existing with epoxy. Thickness of the paver has little to do with it if the base does not move. but if the base and concrete are not well done, the thick pavers will do no more good than thin ones.

2. 
   darrel | Jan 10, 2010 11:39am | #2

   Have you looked into stamped or stenciled concrete? It could give you the paver look right on the cocrete.

   From my understanding, a properly laid base + paver system shouldn't settle irregularly.

   Granted the advantage of the pavers is that if it DOES settle irregularly it does it in a way that's not nearly as ugly as concrete cracking and (in theory) is easier to fix.

3. 
   Clewless1 | Jan 10, 2010 01:02pm | #3

   Seems to me pavers on a slab would have a tendency to slip ... maybe even more so than setting in a normal base of sand/gravel. There isn't any 'grip between the paver and the slab.

   How about acid etch the old and the new w/ some saw cuts for design? You couldn't use the stamped concrete approach unless you poured new over old. Remember acid etch on the new would look somewhat different than the old, but in the grand scheme, this may be OK.

   Installing new concrete AND pavers sounds really expensive!

   If you are a DIYer, consider the acid etch as a way to get good looking results at a very inexpensive cost. I did acid etch for about 50 cents a SF in my house. And an angle grinder w/ a diamond blade gives you unlimited creative license to do some really nice stuff!!

1. 
   MBaybut | Jan 10, 2010 02:45pm | #4

   Thanks guys,

   I did my pool deck and a new patio slab with thin pavers over the slab, on a thin bed of sand. It came out really good. So I'm basically going to be matching that up. My neibor had his installed over compacted gravel and it's dipping all over the place. I know if it was done properly that souldn't happen. Unfortunately you get get to know that until well after you've payed for the job.

   Mike

4. 
   oops | Jan 10, 2010 03:44pm | #5

   I'm thinking what you are
   I'm thinking what you are calling thin pavers are what we call split pavers.

   As to installation over concrete, we bond/cement them to the drive/walk or whatever. If I understand, you are proposing to set them on a sand bed over the concrete. Won't you have to have some type border/edging to keep them in place. I'm not sure I like that idea.

   How are you going to treat the transition at the garage entrance. Are you going to do the garage floor also? You will create a bump and a possible water trap if you just stop them at the door, seems to me.

1. 
   MBaybut | Jan 10, 2010 04:30pm | #6

   Thanks,

   Yes, what I did before was to thinset a border then screed a 1/4" sand base. Works great, had the pool deck down for about 6 years, no problem. You're correct on the garage transition. I know a few houses in my neighborhood that had the pavers installed over the concrete driveway and because the slab slopes away from the garage door they tell me there's not a problem with the slight lip and water intrusion.