The following pictures illustrate how we lay our patio and path slabs. This is a method that we've developed over the years and have found extremely successful.

The slabs remain steady because they are fully supported and the pointing is integral with the mortar bed, which means it wont lift up in a frost or with a jet wash.

Using this method means we can guarantee that there will definitely be no weeds in the completed paving.

First we start with a 100mm deep stone base.

Then the slabs are set on a "ring" of sand / cement mortar and the edges of the surrounding slabs are "buttered up" so that the jointing mortar is now in place and integral with the bedding mortar.

The the slab is offered in to position.

Then carefully knocked down with a rubber mallett.

We check the slab for alignment and to ensure the correct fall is applied to shed rainwater.

The slabs are kept in line with string lines set to the correct levels.

Once the slabs have dried enough they are pointed with an iron.

And here we have the finished patio...(Click on the image for a clearer view !).