How to Lay Paving Stones on a Concrete Base: Instructions

How to Lay Paving Stones on a Concrete Base – Step-by-Step Instructions

Laying paving stones on concrete is a reliable way to create a surface that can withstand heavy loads and remain perfectly level. This method is especially suitable for full-sawn granite paving stones or when heavy vehicles are expected.

Advantages of a concrete base:

High resistance to loads (e.g. trucks, SUVs);

Prevents sagging and shifting of paving stones;

Allows for a perfectly level surface, which is especially important for sawn paving stones.

Before choosing the type of foundation, it is important to decide which paving stones are best to use for your project ↗.

Steps for laying paving stones on concrete:

Stages of laying paving stones on concrete

Visualisation of paving stones laid on a concrete substrate

1. Base preparation

Remove the topsoil to a depth of 25–30 cm;
Add and compact 10–15 cm of gravel for drainage;
If necessary, install formwork (wooden boards around the perimeter);
Install reinforcing mesh or a rod frame (especially if high loads are expected).

Pouring the concrete base

Pour concrete 10 to 15 cm thick;
Add a slope of 1–2 cm per meter in the direction of water drainage;
Allow the concrete to cure for at least 7 days until it gains strength.

📌 For the base under paving stones, it is recommended to use concrete no lower than grade M200–M300, preferably with frost resistance F100–F200 and water resistance of at least W4.

Concrete layer

For passenger vehicles – 10 cm of concrete
For heavy vehicles – 15–20 cm
For weak soils – add a layer of geotextile.

3. Laying paving stones on a dry cement-sand mixture (CSM)

After the concrete has dried, spread a dry mixture of cement and sand (1:3 ratio);
Evenly distribute the CSM on the surface to a thickness of 3–4 cm;
Lay the paving stones, gently “pressing” them into the dry mixture with a rubber mallet;
After laying, slightly moisten the surface to activate the cement and allow the stones to bond.

4. Joint filling

Additionally fill the joints with dry CSM or sand;
You can use polymer sand for better resistance to weeds and washing out.

⚠️ Consider the following:

CSM should be compacted and slightly moistened, but not soaked with water.

It’s important that water does not accumulate between the slab and the paving stones – create a proper slope!

Do not lay paving stones in damp weather – moisture may cause the dry mix to wash away before the cement bonds.

For large areas, you need:

Linear drainage (drainage channels, trenches, perforated pipes);
Expansion joints in concrete every 3–5 meters. Fill them with sealant or sand-cement mix.

If laying paving stones near house walls – do not block foundation ventilation openings.

Disadvantages of laying paving stones on concrete

Despite the strength and reliability of laying paving stones on concrete, this method has its drawbacks which should be considered before starting:

No natural drainage: moisture cannot pass through concrete like it can through a gravel base. Without proper slope and drainage, water will stagnate or seep under the paving stones, causing them to delaminate or lift during freezing conditions.

More expensive option: requires more materials (concrete, reinforcement, cement), significantly increasing the total project cost.

Requires experience or a specialist: improper concrete pouring or laying on CSM can nullify all efforts. Not the easiest method for beginners.

For objects with lower traffic intensity, you can consider paving on a classic base. For more details, see our article on general advice on laying paving stones in a cement-sand mixture ↗.

📌 When this method is justified:

For sawn paving stones with precise geometry;

For vehicle driveways (especially heavy-duty);

When maximum strength and durability is needed.

Examples of available formats can be viewed in our granite paving stone catalogue ↗.