Patio blocks for barn aisle?

[ArabDiva]

Looking at redoing my barn aisle in 8"x16" or 16"x16" patio pavers.
For example: http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/landscaping-materials/patio-blocks/16-cobblestone-patio-block/p-1444441430577-c-5785.htm?tid=-6880863000385017635

Anybody done this? Like it? Hate it? Horrible idea?

The facts:

• 12x24 aisle, low traffic, home barn with 3 horses
• currently dirt, need to upgrade
• poured concrete NOT an option at this point
• considering mats, but concerned that they will get slippery in the winter with iceballs in feet
• I’ve also seen wood suggested on COTH, but that would be more expensive and less durable in this particular setting
• self install (no contractor/ handyman)

Thoughts?

[csaper58]

Those pavers have no structural integrity, they are not made to support the weight of a horse, and will crack and crumble.

You can’t lay pavers successfully on dirt, you need a compacted substrate with no organic matter in it. Compacted crushed rock, topped with sharp sand works well, but materials and labor may make doing that too costly.

If you want to use pavers you should use something rated as strong enough for cars to drive on.

[fordtraktor]

We didn’t use pavers but we “bricked” our aisle on my family farm with those solid concrete blocks, the ones that are 4 inches thick. On the sides we laid 3 solid bricks narrow end up so we weren’t cutting any concrete blocks. It looks fantastic and has good traction. It has worn well too – we did it about 15 years ago and it still looks super, we’ve never done anything to it.

[fordtraktor]

Adding a photo (not sure it will work) where you can see the floor in the background. It isn’t swept here but you can see how it looks. Sorry for the separate post, for some reason the edit function isn’t working for me. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1327452624457&set=t.1293847780&type=3&theater

[clanter]

a possible option would be “Soil cement”

http://garages.about.com/od/buildingagarage/a/Soil-Cement-Paving-For-Driveways-Sidewalks-Patios-And-Garage-Floors.htm

[StormyDay]

You would have to do Something like fordtraktor did. Those pavers would break, they are just too big and you would never get the floor level enough to lay them so they wouldn’t. And even if you did get it level enough, at that point it would be cheaper to do concrete

[LadyBug]

Here is a link to a photo of my barn aisle. It is patio pavers, but much smaller than what you’re describing. It has the proper base underneath of tamped stone and then sand. It’s held up great for about 15 years now. I do have a rubber mat in the cross tie space of the aisle and my wash stall is concrete with mats.

[Pennywell_Bay]

[QUOTE=LadyBug;8855082]
Here is a link to a photo of my barn aisle. It is patio pavers, but much smaller than what you’re describing. It has the proper base underneath of tamped stone and then sand. It’s held up great for about 15 years now. I do have a rubber mat in the cross tie space of the aisle and my wash stall is concrete with mats.[/QUOTE]

OK- derail- I love your stalls (and pavers). What type of wood is your stalls? Did you stain it darker (if it is pine?). I am getting new stall from so am investigating.

[StormyDay]

[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;8855224]
OK- derail- I love your stalls (and pavers). What type of wood is your stalls? Did you stain it darker (if it is pine?). I am getting new stall from so am investigating. :)[/QUOTE]

I agree, pretty!!

[LadyBug]

[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;8855224]
OK- derail- I love your stalls (and pavers). What type of wood is your stalls? Did you stain it darker (if it is pine?). I am getting new stall from so am investigating. :)[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I think it’s pine and they’re stained with a cedar color stain. They look pretty in the picture because it was from right after they got powerwashed and re-stained :winkgrin:

[Rackonteur]

If you can’t do asphalt or really purpose-made brick of some type, IMO the best barn aisle flooring is good old dirt, well maintained, or if you want more, shavings over dirt. One of the nicest aisle surfacing I ever saw was shavings over dirt. Cushiony, warm, easy to clean.

[ArabDiva]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8854924]
We didn’t use pavers but we “bricked” our aisle on my family farm with those solid concrete blocks, the ones that are 4 inches thick. On the sides we laid 3 solid bricks narrow end up so we weren’t cutting any concrete blocks. It looks fantastic and has good traction. It has worn well too – we did it about 15 years ago and it still looks super, we’ve never done anything to it.[/QUOTE]

Love it! Thanks for sharing! I may try to do something similar.

[QUOTE=clanter;8854960]a possible option would be “Soil cement”

http://garages.about.com/od/buildingagarage/a/Soil-Cement-Paving-For-Driveways-Sidewalks-Patios-And-Garage-Floors.htm[/QUOTE]

very interesting technique!! Much easier than pouring cement. I’ll think about it. The only difficulty would be staying off long enough for it to cure

@LadyBug;8855082

Here is a link to a photo of my barn aisle. It is patio pavers, but much smaller than what you’re describing. It has the proper base underneath of tamped stone and then sand. It’s held up great for about 15 years now. I do have a rubber mat in the cross tie space of the aisle and my wash stall is concrete with mats.

nice!!

you guys are giving me great ideas.