Vapor barrier under indoor pavers?

[cockeyedMFer]

I did a portion of my barn floor in pavers last year as a quick solution to not being able to pour concrete at the time. It worked great and I've got plenty left over. Just need some fine sand for bedding the pavers. I'll probably do a few more sections this fall.

The rest of the floor is packed clay, well seasoned and very hard. I'm going to use a vapor barrier over it, which is common practice with concrete floors. However should I put the vapor barrier over the sand, so that the pavers rest directly on the plastic? Or should the plastic lay between the clay and the sand?

Will the sand draw moisture if its above the barrier, or is it not enough sand to worry about? I just want to avoid having a musty barn down the road.

What do you think?

 

[s219]

I'd do plastic, then sand, then pavers. That way you can level the sand and it will protect the plastic from the pavers and any rubbing/friction over time.

 

[BuilderML]

I'd do plastic, then sand, then pavers. That way you can level the sand and it will protect the plastic from the pavers and any rubbing/friction over time.

I 2nd

 

[Cord]

If the clay is smooth and free of rocks or roots, you can put the plastic right down. Otherwise, put down a thin sand bed to protect the plastic. Try to use no less than 6 mil.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Good ideas, thanks. I'll do just that.

About 3/4 of the floor is hard smooth clay, and the rest was leveled off with some fine sandy dirt. I'll rake the rocks out and level and gouges/low spots with fresh sand, then plastic and sand for pavers.

Can't wait to get this part finished...One day I'll have a real workshop and not just large, dark "storage unit"