Pavers over Concrete (big house, construction, tile)

[catsupbottle]

I am thnking of installing thin pavers over my concrete lanai. Does anyone had any experience with this they care to share.

Respectfully submitted,
Catsupbottle

[Old Man Winter]

I am no paver expert, but I am pretty handy and mechanically inclined. I dont think thats going work. The pavers are generally placed on top of packed sand, then they are topped with sand to fill the gaps and hold the pavers in place. Any time I have seen it done, the concrete comes out and then fill is brought in to lay the pavers on.

If concrete is directly under the pavers, I would think the first good rain is going to pool under your pavers, as the concrete will provide no drainage. I just cant see how it will work.

[Floridaa]

Originally Posted by Old Man Winter

I am no paver expert, but I am pretty handy and mechanically inclined. I dont think thats going work. The pavers are generally placed on top of packed sand, then they are topped with sand to fill the gaps and hold the pavers in place. Any time I have seen it done, the concrete comes out and then fill is brought in to lay the pavers on.

If concrete is directly under the pavers, I would think the first good rain is going to pool under your pavers, as the concrete will provide no drainage. I just cant see how it will work.

Agree and the pavers will always be covered in that white film (effloresence)because the pavers will never dry our if they are placed over concrete..

[Harbor Hopper]

Actually, patio and pool companies do this all the time. They spread a thin layer of interlocking sand over the existing concrete and install the thin pavers over top. However, the outside border will need to be mortared so the pavers can't move around. I'm no expert on the subject, but it is fairly common.

[coastal chic]

I have pavers over concrete and it's no problem at all. My lanai and front porch are this way. However, the pavers are called paver veneers...they're really not much different than installing an exterior tile over your lanai or porch. The pool deck also has pavers, but they are the thick ones that are set in sand.

[Big House]

I would investigate "cool deck". It is a light concrete like topping that does not heat up like concrete and pavers. You should really check it out. Pavers and concrete will burn your feet when you walk on it.

[Harbor Hopper]

Originally Posted by Big House

I would investigate "cool deck". It is a light concrete like topping that does not heat up like concrete and pavers. You should really check it out. Pavers and concrete will burn your feet when you walk on it.

Cool deck or spray crete (synonymous), I'm sure there are other names as well. That's what we had our pool deck topped with (and the existing concrete). It's less expensive than pavers and we like the look. We'll have to re-coat it every 5 yrs or so, but it's very easy to do.

[catsupbottle]

Originally Posted by Harbor Hopper

Cool deck or spray crete (synonymous), I'm sure there are other names as well. That's what we had our pool deck topped with (and the existing concrete). It's less expensive than pavers and we like the look. We'll have to re-coat it every 5 yrs or so, but it's very easy to do.

Do products like Cool Deck hide the cracks in the concrete?

Respectfully Submitted,
Catsupbottle

[Big House]

Originally Posted by catsupbottle

Do products like Cool Deck hide the cracks in the concrete?

Respectfully Submitted,
Catsupbottle

The cracks in the concrete can happen for numerous reasons. All concrete will crack - it is normal and happens when it drys out - shrinks. That is why they design in construction joints and expansion joints to control the movement and where the cracking can occur. Concrete will also crack after placement because of heaving (when the ground freezes) which doesn't happen down here, and settling (when the soil below the concrete settles or moves. After it cracks, if moisture is allowed to get into the cracks it can cause additional settlement, and the cracks can continue to grow.

The answer - if they are minor shrinkage cracks and you get them early, you can spray the cool deck and it will seal them and prevent additional moisture penetration and additional settlement. If the cracks are large it probably won't totally seal the cracks and they will just open up again. But if they are fairly minor I would talk to the installer - it also depends on the preparation work and the thickness of the topping to see what they say.

I wouldn't make any guarantees, but I think I could look, and the installers should be able to look and give you a good recommendation and provide you a better assessment of what to expect. As long as they are not huge cracks - I would most likely go with the cool deck and take my chances - if they say so, and do a decent job with the preparation work.

I hope that brief explanation was helpful.

[Harbor Hopper]

Cracks can be easily patched, then the cool deck or spray crete done over the patch. If more cracking occurs later on, just re-patch and blend more stain (concrete paint). You will ALWAYS get cracking with concrete, but it's easy to hide :-)