Installation on Gravel and Sand
Direct installation on gravel and sand
The materials can be laid easily on sand or gravel; the system is also easy to remove and reposition, thereby allowing maximum creativity in laying the materials; the system can also be applied either with minimum 1/8" joint or with the slabs arranged with larger joints for artificial turf or decorative rock.
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*The dry set installation method cannot be used for vehicular traffic. Pavers must be mud set to handle vehicular traffic.
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INSTALLATION STEPS
STEP 1
Level and compact the surface (sand or gravel);
STEP 2
Position the 2CM porcelain tile on the gravel/sand bed using 1/8" plastic spacer discs
STEP 3
Tap the tiles with a rubber hammer to eliminate any unevenness and fill the joints between the tiles with sand to add stability to the surface.
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GENERAL INFO
SUBSTRATE
Level the substrate and compact it with care before proceeding with installation consisting of resting the slabs on the substrate. It is advisable to lay a separating cloth (geotextile) to stabilize the substrate in order to limit any washing away along the gaps / joints between the pavers and to minimize the growth of weeds.
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SPACERS BETWEEN PAVERS
When laying porcelain pavers by resting them directly on the substrate, they must never be laid so that they touch each other, as this would drastically increase the risk of chipping caused by micro-movements while the pavers are setting into place.1/8″ joints are recommended for exterior porcelain material.
CUTS AND HOLES
– It is possible to cut the material in both damp or dry conditions.
– It is essential to use ONLY approved Diamond Blade saws and cutting wheels (continuous edge) for porcelain stoneware
– To make holes in the porcelain, only use diamond drill bits.
DO NOT USE A PLATE COMPACTOR AFTER LAYING
To avoid the risk of chipping the material, never use a plate compactor once the porcelain pavers slabs have been laid.
EDGE RESTRAINTS
When pavers are laid on draining sand or gravel, always prepare an edge restraint system to hold the substrate material used and prevent any washing away of sand or gravel, therefore keeping the paver slabs in place.
FILLING PAVER JOINTS
APPLYING SAND
Fill the gaps with sand and eliminate the excess material. In time, wind, rain and cleaning activities may remove the sand, therefore calling for some occasional re-filling.
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APPLYING POLYMERIC SAND
It is a composition created specifically for outdoor paving installation. It is important to use specific sand for porcelain stoneware. This sand is available in several different colors and grain sizes. Once the polymeric sand has been compacted, it will prevent the growth of weeds. Once the gaps have been filled with polymeric sand eliminate with care all the excess material. Lastly, wet the gaps between the pavers with water to activate the reaction of the polymers that will transform the sand into a compact body.
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Use
1/8" Spacers
Pea Rock/Gravel
Gravel/Sand
Installation on Concrete
The reinforced concrete base must always be installed in accordance with relevant codes and standards with expansion joints provided as required. If the concrete slab is not sufficiently large to require expansion joints, a minimum 1/8” grout joint between pavers is acceptable, but for larger concrete slabs that require expansion joints, the grout joint should be 3/8”. When you install thin pavers over concrete, they must not be installed across expansion joints.
Verify the concrete substrate is in good condition, is installed in accordance with relevant building codes, reinforced with steel mesh and is constructed with a 2° slope pitched away from any building.
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Clean the surface of the concrete to ensure good adhesion of the pavers. Spread an approved exterior grade thinset mortar over the concrete using the correct sized notched trowel.
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Lay the pavers on the thinset with minimum 1/8” to 3/16“ joint spacing where the area is not large enough to require expansion joints, or with 3/8” spacing where expansion joints are present. All expansion joints must be located along the joint line of the installed porcelain pavers to avoid cracking of the pavers.
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After the thinset has dried, grout the pavers with an approved exterior grade grout.
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Wash the pavers carefully after grouting to remove excess grout.
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A final buffered acid wash will also be required to remove any invisible grout residue.
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If a polymeric sand is preferred over grout, use a specifically made poly sand for porcelain pavers.
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