Pavers over Concrete?

Hello! I’ve been on a tear (literally) fixing all the flipper’s cut corners these past few months and am finally making space a for more fun project — renovating the back yard. Should be done by the end of summer, ha!

The yard is a full concrete slab and in excellent shape. It’s low on the maintenance but not very attractive or inviting. Therefore, I’ve been considering my hardscape options to improve that.

In thinking about what to do, I’ve been keen to not mess with the grade or otherwise obstruct water flow. Today, the water flows away from the house and to the neighbors. That eliminated an option of removing large swaths of concrete (which was probably already not an option due to the heavy labor required) and installing a hardscape.

Instead, one idea was to install porcelain pavers atop the concrete, likely locking on thin rubber pads. Thoughts on that? Is laying on pads OK or is there a preferred way to set them or should I be doing sand on the concrete first? Alternative hardscape I should consider instead of pavers over the concrete?

If I went the paver ro ute, likely I’d add most of the green via raised planters which would sit on the concrete. It’s possible I’d tear up concrete in a small area to enable large foliage but undecided on whether that’s necessary.

Thanks in advance from you backyard & garden pros….

Guest User | 4 years and 9 months ago

8

Please log in, in order to post replies!

8 replies

Newest Oldest

vinniebarbarino | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4859 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4867 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1379"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "vinniebarbarino"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BbvFQjwRPeVxKH1BLu8LdSIWrNWCLu1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "vinniebarbarino"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "jks_jks_jks@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/vinnie_barbarino/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:38:25"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "vinniebarbarino"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1379)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

that’s good because you don’t want freeze/thaw issues that will prematurely damage your pavers

Guest User | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "202271"

@Vinnie approximately 650sqft and to date have not had any drainage issues or standing water. Rain water runs away from the house and to the lot lines. There’s no integrated drain in the slab (gutter does run into a drain directly)

vinniebarbarino | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4917 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4891 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1379"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "vinniebarbarino"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BbvFQjwRPeVxKH1BLu8LdSIWrNWCLu1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "vinniebarbarino"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "jks_jks_jks@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/vinnie_barbarino/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:38:25"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "vinniebarbarino"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1379)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

How big is the patio? Is there appropriate drainage?

yudashasom | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4855 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4850 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194528"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "yudashasom"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BKrcOOJj2qysH3kdOE3mMqxeyqPZ1m0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "yudashasom"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "yudashasom@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:32"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "Dasha Sominski Dasha Sominski"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194528)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Bluestone is another option to consider. It’s $7-8/ft so it would be pricey.

Guest User | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "202271"

Good call and share, @Adam!

greysquirrel | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5117 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "greysquirrel"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSVtb2zGF0BIK/0uCb46DaCufQTZpM0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "greysquirrel"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "info@isotope221.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 15:21:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(25) "Chris Cannon Chris Cannon"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Here is a helpful link showing the many ways to install porcelain pavers: https://outdoor.landmarkceramics.com/installation-pavers.php

One issue to consider with installing pavers over concrete with thinset is that the manufacturers require the paver joints to be over the control joints in the slab.

“CAUTION: if a porcelain paver is installed over a control joint, the paver will reflectively crack along the contraction/control joint beneath it. Utilization of an uncoupling membrane can help minimize the potential issue.”

I think your best bet would be to set them on a sand bed using gator spacers or similar on every corner and a good polymeric sand in the joints. Gator spacers: https://www.alliancegator.com/gator-tile-system/

You need to be extra careful to perfectly pack and level the sand bed, all you really need is just two 10′ long 3/4″ pipes and the longest aluminum screed that is practical. Porcelain pavers are nearly perfectly flat with rather sharp edges and any lippage will be especially noticeable. Also the edges can chip easily if they are not flush… The aluminum screeds are useful for all sorts of construction tasks, I have them in every size up to 12′, they make great straightedges… Screeds: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bon+screed&i=tools&ref=bnav_search_go

Guest User | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "202271"

Wasn’t sure that was an option, thanks for verifying @GreenThinker. I hadn’t looked deeply at the additional cost of the pads yet but good to know. It’s ~800sqft which made that seem like the thinset would be an exhausting process vs. the pads.

GreenThinker | 4 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4857 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "98498"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "GreenThinker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BUyWaQ.9zd8QKKjw0tTw.V/FyEYyLC0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "greenthinker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "Moscicki.adam@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/greenman/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:19:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "GreenThinker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(98498)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Personally, I’d put the porcelain pavers straight onto the concrete slab with thinset. The thin specialized rubber pads you mention are quite expensive for what they are, and i feel the gap it creates will just end up filled with dirt and insects.