How thick should my concrete patio slab be?
Patios are without doubt thought to be exceptional additions to anyone’s home, but the costs incurred need to be evaluated properly before going for a patio. Concrete is supposed to be the best material choice for patios, apart from a host of other uses. As it is easy to install and relatively inexpensive and durable, it is a great favourite of the building industry. If proper attention and standard procedures are kept in place for creating a concrete patio slab, there is no reason why a good and long lasting result cannot not be achieved.
At the onset, if you are designing a patio by use of a patio concrete slab, then adopting the correct thickness for your slab is of paramount importance. While some people need to assess this properly, those with ample experience know exactly how thick the slab should be. The bottom line is that no matter how you go about determining the required thickness, the slab should stay in its position for years, without disturbing the lay. By adhering to a few simple norms, you can calculate exactly how thick your patio concrete slab should be.
patio concrete slab
Step No 1
Once you have dug a hole to fit in your slab, it needs to be filled with gravel up to at least 4” as is the norm. The acceptable thickness for a patio slab is preferred to be half gravel and have concrete. After the position of the concrete slab, in relation to the surrounding grass and soil has been sorted out, it will make for easy work ahead.
Step No 2
The slab should be laid in the ground in such a manner, so that it as at the same level of the areas around it. The advantages gained are that your slab will not only be supported by the gravel base but also by the surrounding turf. In case, extra load bearing capacity is required, an additional few inches can always be added.
Step No 3
The thickness of the concrete to be adopted, depends on the level at which your slab is to be laid in relation to the top soil. With the preferred four inch gravel base, the concrete base should also be three to four inches.
Step No 4
Expansion joints form a major portion of concrete slabs. This is an important factor in deciding the thickness of concrete patio slabs, as these joints are the main support to your slabs. In places, where freezing and thawing may occur add an inch of Styrofoam, to assist in insulating the ground.
Step No 5
After installing the concrete patio, ensure that the landscape around it slopes away from the surface to prevent accumulation of any water on the top.
Durability of any concrete surface can only be achieved by making it resistant to the ever changing environment. For quality concrete patio around the house, a 4 inch thickness is generally considered adequate.
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