The premium technical properties and wide selection of colors and styles make porcelain pavers a growingly popular flooring solution for homeowners in San Diego and across the area. You can use them for different features and in various spaces.Moreover, there are several available techniques your professionals can use to install them and they can use various bases to lay them over. Keep reading to find out how to install porcelain pavers to make your backyard stand out.
What do you put under porcelain pavers?
The key to a successful installation is proper handling. Porcelain pavers come in pallets that are protected by heavy duty covers, and each individual piece is placed in a protective cardboard box. Make sure you only remove the protective boxes once you’re ready to start the installation process.Porcelain pavers allow for significant flexibility, and you can lay them over concrete, gravel, grass, raised pedestals, or sand, depending on where and why you’re applying it:
Sand
When it comes to walkways or small patios, you can use sand as the base for installation. This type of installation requires the sand bedding to be pre-compacted. However, be careful not to use dry sand, but the one that features a moisture level of 5 to 6 percent. This way, you’ll ensure it compacts cohesively, allowing for a smooth finish.
Grass
If you’re going for stepping stones, a walkway, or a small patio, you can use grass for your base. If needed, you can add sand where it’s necessary to level the surface in order to prevent breakage in the future. However, you should take care that the corners of your pavers don’t pose a risk of tripping.
Gravel
You can use a gravel base for features such as recessed stepping stones, walkways, and small patios. To properly carry out this procedure, you’ll need to dig a base that’s 2 inches deep, add gravel, compact it, and lay your pavers directly over the compacted gravel.
Standard base
Standard base is one of the most common solutions for poolscapes, walkways, and patios. The method is similar to that of standard concrete pavement installation, and includes digging a 6 to 8-inch bed, adding gravel, adding 1 or 2 inches of sand and compacting it.
Concrete
When you’d like to enhance the strength of your driveway, or simply overlay your concrete slab, you’ll need to use a layer of mortar to properly adhere your pavers to it. In case of driveway, installation requires the use of expansion joints and filling them with cement grout.
Raised pedestal
The system of raised pedestal works great for features such as terrace, plaza, or patio application. A significant benefit of this system is you can lay wiring or pipes under the surface and be able to service or inspect them as needed.The process is rather quick, and therefore convenient for large surfaces. It requires minimal prep work, and doesn’t require jointing. Whichever base you’d like to go for, make sure you first contact your local installers.
Who are the leading installers of porcelain pavers in San Diego?
Whether you’re looking to find out more about porcelain pavers, or you’d like to learn more about what maintenance they require, feel free to contact Pacific Dreamscapes. With years of experience in the industry, we’re capable of handling any task you’d like us to carry out and provide you with the necessary information so we can together reach an optimum solution that meets all your requirements.Whether you need us in Clairemont, or anywhere else across the region, our skilled and knowledgeable specialists will be there to make your home stand out. Call now!
Who are the leading installers of porcelain pavers in San Diego?