Month: September 2020

There are so many options to choose from when you are ready to begin a hardscaping project. Some of the more popular choices include concrete and natural stone products such as flagstone, travertine, and granite. But did you know that outdoor porcelain pavers are increasing in popularity as an alternative to traditional hardscaping materials, combining incredible beauty and unbelievable durability? What are Porcelain Pavers, and do they measure up to the hype when it comes to practical issues like durability and ease of installation?

At the core, porcelain pavers are unique paving slabs made from the highest-grade porcelain. They are an excellent alternative to concrete and natural stone products, and have been proven in some of the most diverse environments around the world. Made from kiln-fired clay and recycled materials, these paving stones have undergone proprietary, patented processes to achieve uniformity throughout the slab, superior density, and unmatched performance.

Now that we have defined what Porcelain Pavers are, let’s look at the benefits when compared to the more traditional concrete and stone products that are typically used. Porcelain pavers are incredibly stain and chemical resistant compared to concrete and stone pavers. In addition, they never need to be sealed, which confirms that minimal maintenance will be needed.

It is extremely easy to clean porcelain pavers using standard household cleaners and, if needed, low pressure washing. In addition, porcelain pavers have a very hard surface that is incredibly scratch and abrasion resistant. Their natural beauty and original texture can be retained for many years compared to natural or concrete products.

So what are Porcelain Pavers and how can they be so beneficial you ask? Let me give you a few benefits to consider. The top surface of porcelain paving stones is structured to create a non-slip surface, helping to ensure safety in high-slip areas such as walkways around pools or near sprinkler systems. Conversely, stone pavers like granite and quartz, can become quite slippery in these conditions.

With respect to withstanding the elements what are Porcelain Pavers going to give you? Even at temperatures as low as -60°F porcelain paving stones are 100% frost free. And since they are impermeable, de-icing salts and similar materials can be used without damaging them.

What are Porcelain Pavers cosmetic advantages that make them stand out from the rest? Given that the colour has been fused through a process called vitrification, the colour becomes an integral part of the surface, and creates a liquified glass glaze on the paver. Even in the most intense sunlight and extreme weather conditions, the pavers will not fade or discolour because of the elements.

Regarding staining, moss or mold; what are Porcelain Pavers performance expectations? Given they have excellent compressive strength with ultra-low moisture absorption, they have a very dense surface that remains resistant to these aspects. Porcelain Pavers will retain their striking appearance with little to no maintenance involved.

From a strength and durability perspective what are Porcelain Pavers going to offer? On a technical level, porcelain paving stones allow minimal water absorption, and have excellent chemical resistance and significant resistance to thermal shock. On a physical level, porcelain pavers have been precision engineered for reduced breakage and can withstand loads up to 2,200 lbs! They are extremely strong and resistant to breakage once installed. In the unlikely event that one does break, replacement is a relatively painless process.

What are Porcelain Pavers offering for the environmentally conscious buyers considering building and hardscaping materials? Most porcelain paving stones are made of up to 42% recycled materials. Combined with the fact that porcelain pavers provide a natural look without the mining and quarrying necessary for natural stone such as quartz and travertine, and that they are made of kiln-fired clay, they prove to be a truly environmentally responsible option for hardscaping.

Porcelain pavers come in a wide range of sizes and colours to allow for your creative designs to come to life, with the ability to closely mimic the appearance and texture of the material as it appears in nature. Just a few of the many applications for porcelain pavers includes residential or commercial entranceways, patios, driveways, steps, pool decks, rooftops, promenades, public spaces, gardens, terraces, and walkways.

Gator Base is a fantastic option for creating a beautiful maintenance-free stone patio. With the do-it-yourselfer market exploding and homeowners looking for innovative products to help them with their projects, the time is now to get to know this product.

Let’s discuss how to install Gator Base so you can see how easy it is.

The first advantage you will realize is how little you have to excavate. By adding the following elements together, you will be able to determine the total depth: Geotextile, compacted bedding base’s final height (1/2″), Gator Base (3/4″), and paver’s height.

In learning how to install Gator Base remember the total excavation width is 6″ wider on each side than the final paved area. If you opt to use a shovel or excavator to do the excavation be sure to check with local utility services to ensure digging does not damage underground pipes or wires.

Level the excavated area using a rake or shovel once the excavation is complete, ensuring a slope of at least 1° away from any structure, such as a house.

It is important to know, in how to install gator base, that the native soil needs to be prepared and compacted in the same way as a traditional base installation, using a hand tamper or plate compactor. Compact until the area is as smooth as possible, with no high or low spots greater than about 3/8″. It is advisable to use a string level (stakes and a string line) by tying the string to the stakes to establish the level to which the final slope will be measured (minimum of 1° to the desired final paver level).

Once this is done, lay down the Geotextile, covering the complete excavated area and side.

The next step in how to install gator base requires spreading of an even layer of bedding material to a depth of 3/4″, over the Geotextile. Using two 3/4″ pipes with an equal distance of 4 to 6 ft over the Geotextile is a good trick to ensure the depth is adequate. You simply fill the surrounding area with bedding material and use a straight board to level the bedding material in relation to the pipes. Once done, remove the pipes and fill in the empty gaps. Levelling and compacting the bedding material will be the last step prior to installing Gator Base.

An important lesson in how to install gator base is to make sure the Gator Base covers the extended excavation area, which should be 6″ wider on each side than the final paved area.

Use a staggered pattern to start laying the Gator Base units ensuring locking of the tongue & groove system. This guarantees the panels’ stability when the pavers or slabs are laid down. You can trim any visible curves or protruding angles using a utility knife.

Lay the pavers directly onto the Gator Base according to the selected pattern. For irregular stone, you can add a second layer 1/2″ of loose bedding sand on top of the Gator Base. Use a rubber mallet to adjust the pavers, and don’t forget to make sure the Gator base is 6″ wider on each side than the paved surface.

Installing Gator Edge on the Gator Base will help to ensure it rests firmly against the pavers. A Gator Base screw can be driven into every second hole to maximize lateral support of the Gator Edge.

When ready, you can spread polymeric sand over the tiled surface with a hard-bristle broom. Completely fill the joints with the polymeric sand, leaving a layer on the surface to aid in the vibrating and consolidation of the sand into the joints.

Next step is to vibrate the sand into the paver joints using a plate compactor with a rubber pad. If you have a slab installation, a roller compactor is best. Joints should be filled up to 1/8” below the edge or chamfer. Compact in several directions to ensure there are no air gaps or voids in the joints. Repeat these steps to ensure joints are filled and consolidated, paying attention to narrow joints that require more care to completely fill.

Once compacting is done, sweep off excess polymeric sand from the paved surface, first with a hard-bristle broom, then a soft- bristle broom. Be sure to leave the height of the polymeric sand at least 1/8” below the edge or chamfer of the paver.

The final lesson in how to install gator base is to activate the polymeric sand. Starting at the lowest point, shower a 30 sq. ft. section for 30 seconds with water. Once all the sections are activated, rinse off any debris that is on the paver surface.

Gator Base has revolutionized the way interlock stone is installed and allows the average homeowner to install like a pro!

Welcome to the Stone Deck Revolution.