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BALDGORILLA · Aug 11, 2006, 06:23 PM

Hello All,

I just found this forum and I see some good answers to good questions. I am hoping someone can help me with my problem. I am looking to build a concrete patio and walkways. I have built my house using slab on grade with radiant heat. We compacted gravel, used vapor barrier, insulation, wire mesh, rebar... the whole deal. For my patio I plan to compact a gravel base of approximately 12".
My forms are 4" thick and rebar at 24"centers in both directions. I also plan to use fiber mesh in the concrete. All of that said, my buddy just finished his patio and he put a 4' frost wall around the perimeter and placed insulation and vapor barrier under his patio. His patio is unheated. Mine won't be heated either. What I would like to know is if this extra work and expense he went through is worth it or not? Sorry the question is so long but I figured you would want some details. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

I forgot to mention that we live in a northern climate.

skiberger · Aug 12, 2006, 11:23 AM

The way you did your house slab is correct because you had radiant heat installed and need to control the movement as much as possible or you can run into major problems.

As for the patio doing what your neighbor did is a bit over-kill in my opinion. I've instslled patios in NE Pennsylvania were we compacted 6" 2b gravel, installed 4x4 wwf (wire mesh) then poured 4" of concrete. The following day we would cut in the control joints. The patios are still looking good. (1-15 years)

The only place we would use rebar is to connect the patio to the house by inserting the rebar into the foundation and then extendng it into the pad.
You being slab on grade I wouldn't disturb any part of your slab because of the radiant heat tubing running throughout the slab. Just let the patio float.

Be careful with the fibermesh concrete. The more you float it the more the fiberglass fibers will come to the surface and will make for a rough surface when the concrete dries.

BALDGORILLA · Aug 12, 2006, 02:59 PM

Thanks skiberger. I thought it was over kill but my neighbor had me doubting myself. Also, thanks for the tip about the fiber mesh. I didn't use it in my house because I acid stained the floor and wasn't familiar with the fiber and what it would do. For the patio I plan on using integral color and then stamping the concrete and possibly acid stain on top of the stamping. Not sure as this will be my first try at stamping and I am not sure how I will like the color left from the release agent. I am still in research mode and planning the patio for next spring. Thanks again for the answer. I like having someone back me up when I think I'm right, it doesn't happen a lot.