Concrete Tile Pavers Installation

Preparation

• Existing landscape elements and the amount of space you have available for the surface can help determine your choice of tile pavers. If you have a rock garden, stone statue or pebbled walkway, a matching tile can accentuate those features. In addition to textures, tile pavers come in different colors from natural-looking blacks, greys and browns, to purples, reds and neutrals. If possible, size the surface to fit the dimensions of your tile pavers to avoid having to cut them.

Foundation

• Common methods of installation for a tile paver surface include sand set and mortar set; both have advantages and disadvantages. You'll need to excavate the site 7 inches for sand set and 10 inches for mortar set. Sand set installation involves laying a sand bedding over 6 inches of compacted aggregate. Edge restraints and sand joints hold the tiles in place, making it easy to fix, adjust or replace tile pavers as necessary. Mortar set pavers are laid over compacted aggregate and a 4- to 6- inch thick concrete slab. While mortar set tiles are less likely to move, fixing or replacing them can require professional help.

Laying Tile Pavers

• Setting the tiles in your foundation is less labor intensive than building the foundation, but it requires precision, especially if you're working with mortar. Dry-lay the tiles beside the site to practice laying them in your pattern, and number the backs with chalk so you set them in the right order. Set the tile pavers one section at a time, routinely checking that they are level. If your pattern has joint lines between the stones, use rubber spacers so the spaces are consistent.

Maintenance

• Concrete tile pavers form a strong surface that can last for years with regular cleaning. Sweep off leaves and debris as it falls and use concrete stain remover to clean grease stains as they occur. If the pavers have sand joints, refill the joints once a year. In addition, apply concrete sealant to preserve the color of the tiles, make them easier to clean and guard the surface from weather damage. Depending on the chemicals and amount of traffic the surface is exposed to, typical re-application is two to three years.