can decorative paving stones be laid over an existing concrete walkway, steps and stoop?

I have a typical 1950s era concrete walkway tht leads to my front door stoop. It is perfectly flat with no cracks, bumps or chips. Can i lay paving stones right on top of this? Is there a website I can look at? What should hold them in place? I am a very handy individual who has worked in residential construction for over ten years. i am sure htat this can be done but I want to see the correct way. thanks. If your not a serious YA user then please don’t answer. thanks

5 Comments on “can decorative paving stones be laid over an existing concrete walkway, steps and stoop?

  1. I have built houses for over twenty years. I would use thin-set to lay the stones.You can try this old house or handyman of America thy both have how to and weekend projects

  2. Use thin set and any decent grout. If the pavers are not even on the bottom, you may need to put some sacers underneath certain places to make it come out even.

  3. i reiterate what rob said. dont use thinset for the walkway because it binds the pavers to the concrete and if the concrete cracks and or shifts later on the pavers will move with the concrete. if you put a inch to 2 inch layer of sand down first and tap the pavers down with a rubber mallet and sand the joints instead of grouting, then the pavers won’t move with the concrete. keep in mind that the paver joints and maybe even the pavers themselves are porous and will let water down underneath. however if you use sand under the pavers you need a curb or border to keep the pavers on the walkway. using thinset may be less time consuming but sand will give you less movement. also if the walkway is longer than 10 or twelve feet i will gaurantee you it has cracks in it, though they may not have reached the surface of the concrete. as for the steps, the pavers should be set in thinset, same with stoop.

  4. YES AND NO YES TO THE WALKWAY NO TO THE STEPS AND STOOP . I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WHAT EVER MASTIC YOU MIGHT USE COULD BE MADE TO HOLD THAT IS JUST MY TWO CENTS WORTH GOOD LUCK