To avoid having to fix pavers every few weeks, you need two things: excellent pavers and excellent technique. The most beautiful driveways, yards and patios use high-quality pavers and use experienced contractors to install them. In this post, we will be looking at the steps you must take when installing porcelain pavers.
As you may already know, porcelain pavers are made from natural raw materials such as feldspars, quartz, sand, inorganic pigments and clays. They are sturdy because they are fused together and fired at high temperatures of 2,240 degrees Fahrenheit. This results in a beautiful and hard paver that is about 20mm thick. In recent years, these pavers have become quite popular. This can be attributed to the numerous benefits the material offers, including high frost resistance, easy to clean, long-lasting colors, and skid resistance. In addition, their high breakage loads of up to 2,200 lbs mean you never have to fix pavers as often. But how do you install them correctly?
Handle them with care
Once they are installed, porcelain pavers are remarkably durable. However, you still need to handle them with great care. When the boxes of pavers arrive, don’t remove the protective boxes until it is time to install them. That way you will prevent accidental damages.
You still need to be careful when installing the pavers. Don’t use a plate compactor. It will put unnecessary pressure on your pavers. Additionally, you need to cut the pavers with a wet cut blade and ensure you leave at least 4mm of space between pavers.
Joint infilling
The 4mm space you have to leave between porcelain pavers has to be filled. You have many options here. The traditional option is sand. Here you use dry sand to fill the open joints. Keep in mind that dry sand can be eroded by rain and wind. So you will have to re-sand every now and then.
Cement blended sand is the second option. With this, you need to combine three parts of sand with one part of cement to form a thick paste. The blend can be swept into the joints and misted using water to cure. Always remove residuals from the pavers to prevent stains.
Polymeric sand is yet another option for joint infilling. Polymeric sand is used. It is used in the same way as cement blended sand. You must, however, ensure the polymeric sand you choose is ideal for porcelain pavers.
The best way to install porcelain pavers is to work with an experienced contractor. While the installation process is similar to installing other pavers, working with an expert will guarantee better results at the end of the day.
