Over compacted sand or gravel

T20 (2cm) porcelain pavers can be laid directly over well compacted gravel with a top layer of leveling sand for most residential applications and for commercial applications with moderate pedestrian traffic.  For more heavy-duty applications including areas subject to light vehicular traffic, the thicker T30 porcelain pavers are generally a better option.

Use tile spacers to ensure consistent spacing and alignment, preferably with a flat base. The flat base prevents the spacers from becoming loose and helps to keep adjacent tiles at a consistent level. Install a containment barrier around the entire area to prevent the pavers from moving. Fill gaps between pavers with polymeric sand.

For further installation guidelines on installing porcelain outdoor pavers over prepared sand or gravel beds, see here.

Over existing concrete

Existing concrete surfaces such as patios, balconies, terraces etc. can be quickly and easily resurfaced by simply placing ¼” or 3/8” thick rubber support pads under each corner of the pavers.

Rubber support pads prevent rocking and allow water to flow away freely underneath. 1/16” rubber shims can be used to provide fine adjustment where necessary.

On sloping substrates where a perfectly horizontal deck is required, pads can be stacked across the deck area, up to a max. of approx. 1 1/2″. Beyond this height, adjustable height pedestals are typically used.

For further installation guidelines on laying porcelain pavers directly over concrete, see here.

Over grass

Square or rectangular porcelain landscaping patio pavers make excellent paving stones or stepping stones placed within grassed areas. Longer plank style pavers can also be used very successfully in larger grassed areas as illustrated opposite, to create striking landscape designs.

While pavers can be laid after removing the surface grass and roots only, for better results, remove a few inches of soil and partially fill with sand. Compact the sand, level the surface and lay pavers sufficiently deep to avoid any possible damage to blades when mowing.

For further installation guidelines on how to install pavers over grass, see here.

Set in mortar bed

For commercial areas subject to high pedestrian traffic or moderate vehicular use, mortar set installation over a prepared concrete bed, reinforced as per local codes, is generally the preferred installation method for T20 porcelain pavers.  The thicker T30 porcelain pavers may however not require mortar set installation requirements.

Porcelain landscape pavers should be laid using appropriate size spacers, ensuring pavers are not laid across expansion gaps. Fill gaps between the pavers with cement-based grout.

Some pavers colors are available in a range of sizes, enabling a more random laying pattern to be designed, as illustrated opposite with Archatrak ‘Pennstone’.

For further installation guidelines on mortar set pavers, see here.

Cobblestones

For dramatic landscape paving, full of character, cobblestones never fail to make an impression. Archatrak offers two options in porcelain cobblestone paving.

Cobblestone tiles – Rustic look, 8″ x 8″ or 12″ x 8″ tiles 3/4″ thick with textured surface and hammered edges, reminiscent of hand-hewn stone blocks.

Cobblestone blocks – Small 4″ x 4″ blocks 2 1/2″ thick. These blocks resemble a traditional stone cobblestone except they are precise in all dimensions to permit much faster installation than stone blocks. Cobblestone blocks can be either dry laid on a bed of sand or gravel over a prepared concrete base and joints filled with polymeric sand, or for maximum stability, laid in a cement/sand mix over a prepared concrete base and joints filled with either polymeric sand or cement grout.

For further guidelines on installing porcelain cobblestone tiles, see here.