Quick answers needed - mortar or sand for patio?

Work on the new patio is starting today - I know that digging out and laying hardcore, etc will take a while.

My builder says he always lays on sand because it's longer lasting. However, there seems to be a school of though that says use mortar because if it's laid on sand it may move (and I have a lot of heavy planters going on there). I also don't want to have lots of weeds in the gaps and/or have to keep topping up with sand.

So would appreciate your thoughts please on the pros/cons of each

 

All you need to know about patio flag laying.....
http://www.pavingexpert.com/patio01.htm
He does not recommend laying on 5 mortar blobs . He says after the hardcore sub-base a layer of 40mm sharp sand is used as the bed . I presume he will mortar point the joints after laying ?
I had my patio fitted about 10 years ago on sharp sand , no problems

 

I'm only going by mine Merle,it's laid on a good bed of sand and hasn't moved an inch,as for weeds I do get the odd one but they're not a problem.You could mortar the joints to prevent them

 

See if Loli says so , it must be right !

 

Thanks all.

I've been persuaded that sand is the way to go - easier to correct any errors as well

 

after you have prepared you patio base and laid you your hardcore are you going to compress it with a wacker plate,this would make you a good sound base to start with.Then lay a thin layer of course sand and place a weed suppressive membrane to stop weeds coming through,lay a further 50mm of sharp sand and also compress this down,smooth of with a further thin layer of sharp sand raked level and lay your flags on top.sand and cement the joints to finish of and you should have a weed free posh patio.#

Then break out a bottle of wine sit back and enjoy

 

ive done both in the past, not aproblem with either.