Brick path across the lawn, base material?

[Miljea]

I'm planning on laying a brick path across a lawn.

I will dig out 150mm, lay a base material, tamp it, then place the bricks, 5 bricks wide, then use brush in dry mortar.

My question is, what base material should I use? Sharp sand? Mixed with cement?

Thanks.

I have a brick path and it is laid on marine sand.

Thanks! Not sure what marine sand is, though!

Marine sand is just a course gritty sand.
Any builders merchant will stock it or if you only need a smaller amount you can buy sharp sand in wickes.
Don’t use builders sand though as it is not gritty enough.

Thanks. Yes, I was thinking sharp sand, but wondering whether to dry mix it with cement powder!

I used probably sharp sand. Then just laid the bricks on top, so they were level with the surface of the lawn. I wasn't going for a smart path, merely making sure the usual path didn't turn into a quagmire in the winter, so I've encouraged the lawn to encroah, and just mow the path when I mow the lawn. The overall effect is of a path that's been there for decades.

If you're going to cement between the bricks, you'll need a firm base that isn't going to flex. I wouldn't have though mixing cement into the sand would be quite enough.

This website tells you everything you need to know about path laying.
www.pavingexpert.com/

Thanks!

I'm wondering if I need coarser hardcore?

For more stability you'd have a layer of scalpings well tamped down under your sand. If you use cement you'll need to be much more precise with your levelling to make sure it drains properly, whereas just sand, or scalpings and sand, should offer some permeability.

Fair point! At this rate I'll be tendering for motorway construction! 😂