sandspider Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Hi all I'm trying to lay a basic base for a small greenhouse. The base will be laid on existing concrete, as the existing concrete slopes steeply to one corner and I want the greenhouse to be flattish at least. (I will leave some slope so water runs off in the right direction). I've got sharp sand and cement - if I mix these at a 5:1 ratio, will the base hold itself together for a long time? I could put an edging round it, but I'd rather avoid the hassle if I can! (I'll lay paving slabs on top and screw the frame to them). I've got some wooden forms I can use to lay the sand / cement mix if it will stay together when i take the forms away. If edging is needed, it would have to be at least 3" higher at the down slope end to level with the upslope end. I don't want to have to cut bricks / edging slabs if I can avoid it, so can I just put bricks on 1/2" depth of mortar at the top and on 3.5" depth of mortar at the bottom? Will this be strong enough to last? (The base will be surrounded by the gravel that's already there once laid, so if it looks a bit rough in parts that's not the end of the world). Basically, I'm trying to make a decent-ish looking and long lasting base for a greenhouse, on a sloping concrete sublayer, with as little work as possible! (And without too many tools). I had a look at the paving expert website, but it seemed unnecessarily complicated for my needs. Thanks for any suggestions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 If im doing anything like this i usually concrete in pencil kerbing to the dimentions and then screed the concrete base off it and thats it finished.Would rather use block mix than just sharp sand,and 5-6 to 1 is plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Cheers Sako. Do you think the base would survive without edging? It would be a pain to edge it neatly due to the fact that the concrete already there is so sloped, and also not flat... If I do need to edge it, would a big thick layer of mortar under the bricks at the deep end work? Or would I really need to build up several brick layers at the deep end, and have a single brick layer at the shallow end? (I'd also rather not have to cut bricks horizontally, as I've only got an angle grinder and don't imagine it would be all that neat... I can probably split them vertically with a bit of angle grinder and a cold chisel) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Dont need the kerbing but it does give a nice finish especially if keeping the ground level a fair bit lower.Instead of big bedding bricks get some 100mm blocks and rip them to suit.Set all four corners,run your line round,mark your blocks and rip with a diamond blade on the grinder.All depends on whats being seen and how picky you are about it,but sounds like you would have to bed your brick loads and that would look pretty ding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Cheers. I'll brush the gravel back around it so it should hide the bottom of the sand / cement, though maybe not all the way to the top. I'll have a look in Wickes for blocks / bricks tonight. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE AD Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Knock a timber frame up and infill with concrete,tap sides of wood so air is removed and fine particals go to near the vibrating wood. Once concrete has set remove wood and you now have a neat side to concrete SIMPLES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 I would go with a wooden frame cut so its higher at one end than the other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear-uk Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Again with the timber frame. If you use tanalised timber you could leave it there. Another option is to cement around the inside of the frame and then fill the center with sharp sand for the flags to sit on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Thanks all. I'll go the easy way, and start with filling in the forms. Once it's dried I'll take the forms away, and see how it looks. If it looks dodge or falls to pieces I'll fit an edging to it. All I need now is for the rain and the freezing to ****** orf! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Don't forget if your having power to lay suitable cable before the base goes down. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Cheers Dougy, but no need - I'm not going to put power into it. Minimal effort, and no need for power there anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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