Porcelain outdoor tiles - Dry installation methods

[Rich07]

Hi,

I'm looking at installing a porcelain patio for myself and could do with some opinions on the easiest installation method, if anyone can assist.

A few tile distributors on the net seem to be saying you can lay the 20mm porcelain direct consolidated onto a gravel bed or alternatively using plastic stilts (one in each corner + middle of tile).
This is demonstrated here: http://www.castleporcelain.co.uk/extra20.html

Do you reckon it's worth a go?

Cheers, Richard

[r896neo]

Laying them on chairs may work on small balconies etc but will never work on the earth.

Laying on gravel or 'sand blinding' is total horse shit. thank goodness they pointed that project with sika pave fix as at least it will be easy to rake back out when it cracks in a month...

Porcelain paving will be a good thing in time i think but the barage of total bolloks being spouted by some suppliers jumping on the wagon shows no signs of letting up

[lemoncurd1702]

Bedding on mortar (preferably wet) on a well compacted sub-base is the only realistic way of installing these. Make sure the backs are coated with a bonding slurry.

[Rich07]

Thanks for advice r896neo and Lemoncurd.

Lemoncurd are you saying sub-base>mortar>slurry>tiles? do you think it will ok to do away with the concrete slab then? Also when you say wet, can I get away with dryish mix - just thinking it will be less critical if make a nacker of it.

My way of thinking was sub-base>concrete slab>exterior flexible thin bed adhesive>tiles. My problem with doing it this way is the mrs wants the patio down yesterday and don't want to risk shrinking/cracking of slab. Hence why I was thinking of the plastic supports in place of the thin bed adhesive.

Cheers, Rich

[lemoncurd1702]

Yes, base, mortar bed, slurry on back of tiles.
Concrete slab will take longer than above.
Can use a semi dry if not confident with wet. Not wet like a brickies mix, but with enough flexibilty for the muck to squeeze out under the slab as you tap it down.

Concrete slab would need to be laid to a fall and be near perfectly flat on it's plane for either adhesive or plastic supports, which if you use I guarantee those slabs will rock.

Maybe ok temporarily with the intention of a proper job when you have the time but don't bother grouting if you do.

[Rich07]

Cheers pal, will ditch the idea of plastic supports and do as you suggest.

Regards, Richard

[Tony McC]

Pedestals need a firm, solid and even base, so unless they are going over an existing slab, deck or a roof, that means installing such a base, and if you're going to do that, you might as well bed directly onto mortar or concrete (with the slurry primer, of course)

Lots more here

[Rich07]

Cheers for the link, all the information I needed was there.

Another issue is the price of the 20mm tiles - no bargains to be had and coming in at ~£50 sq metre which is out of my budget.

So I'm going for the 10mm anti slip (R10) porcelain variety which are not suitable for pedestals.

I'll probably go for the thin bed adhesive method - I've tiled some floors before but never laid a patio so I think I'll struggle to get a perfect finish with the full wet bed method.

Cheers for all the advice, Rich