Driveways and walkways of your home require something durable to bear up with the immense traffic without the frequent requirement of repairs or replacement. Natural granite stones or pavers –ranging in colours from whites to blacks, tans, greys, pink, blue, and so more, are known to serve as sturdy foundations that could last for a lifetime when installed properly.
Walkways or patio areas made out of granite tiles –capable of enduring frequent traffic, are known to require a minimum thickness of around 1 to ½ inch. At the same time, if you are using granite tiles on driveways –experiencing heavy traffic, then you should ensure that the granite pavers are at least 3 inches in the overall thickness. While granite pavers might be on the slightly high-end side in comparison to other paving materials, the overall durability feature offered by this famous natural stone is something that makes them worth the overall investment.
Installing Granite Pavers on Concrete
Whether you are going to use granite paves on the walkways or driveways, the right installation of these highly durable tiles is essential towards ensuring that the given area remains durable while withstanding heavy traffic easily for several years. When you are laying down any type of natural stone paving material –like granite tiles Melbourne, it is recommended that you should start over with a proper base.
The experts recommend that granite should not be laid over weaker materials like crushed rock or a sand base. This is because such types of base options will not be capable of providing the needed stability for your paving project. Moreover, it could also lead to major problems like breaking out, grout cracking, lifting, or cracking of the pavers.
As such, the experts recommend that while you are laying down granite tiles Adelaide for your paving project, a strong concrete base is the best option out there. Let us know the steps to lay down granite tiles Sydney on concrete pavers for the ultimate results. Here are some:
#Step 1
Analyze the desired height of the finish for the given paving surface. Then, you can measure the overall thickness of the granite pavers. Along with this, you are also required to measure the thickness of the bedding mix –the surface or foundation upon which granite pavers will be laid down. The overall thickness of the given concrete base is also expected to be calculated –preferably, it should be around 75mm for the walkways, patios, and other pedestrian areas, & 100mm for heavy-traffic areas like driveways.
The concrete should be then reinforced with the help of steel reinforcing mesh. When you do this, it will help you know how deep you are required to evacuate the given area before starting over with the laying down or paving project of the granite pavers. With the help of around 20mm of granite pavers, 75mm of concrete, and 15mm of mortar bed (for instance), you would be required to ensure 110mm of excavation below the estimated finished level or height of the given paving project.
#Step 2
Now, you can begin with the excavation of the area. The excavation should be carried out to the suggested level or finish height. Then, you should box the given area. After this, laying out of the reinforcing mesh with the help of mesh stands, pouring, and spreading the concrete should take place. These steps are necessary for ensuring that you have made way for abundant fall in case of water runoff.
#Step 3
Once the concrete gets fully cured (it usually takes around 2-3 weeks), you are suggested to lay down the granite natural stones as pavers into the mix of wet mortar. During this part, you are expected to compromise around 3 parts of white-washed sand into one part of the available cement. You are also expected to add a type of plasticizer to the given mix such that it becomes workable or pliable.
You can make use of some high-quality bonding agent to wet the concrete initially. Then you can go forward with spreading some mortar to the right height. Sprinkle some dry cement on the mortar while painting the back of the granite tile with the given bonding agent. After this step, you can start laying down the stones or granite pavers onto the layer of mortar. With the help of a rubber mallet, you can gently tap the top layer of the granite tiles to allow them to settle down to the finished level.
#Step 4
Repeat the same procedure for every tile. While laying down the granite tiles, it is imperative to make sure that you are putting out a string line such that you are capable of running the grout joints in a straight fashion. You can consider laying down the granite tiles at least 4-5 mm apart for creating the grout joint.
#Step 5
When you have laid down the stones and your bedding is also complete, you are expected to grout the area with the help of a pre-bagged grout that is regarded as suitable for external use.
Conclusion
Make the most of the granite paving project to ensure the best-ever results for your driveways or walkways. Granite Pavers Australia deliver granite tiles and pavers all across Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart). Get tiles from Australia’s best Natural stone Tile Suppliers. Call today on (03) 9706 9767 for orders
We provide EXPRESS POSTED FREE SAMPLES + FREE QUOTE + FREE EXPERT STONEMASON ADVICE for all your tiling need. Get in touch with us today!
