Installation of Porcelain Pavers

Installation Basics

Follow the detail drawing.

Base material is to be over based 6 to 8 inches beyond the edge of the pavement.

The required edge restraint system is a low profile edge restraint with a vertical height of 1½ inches as shown in the drawing.

Ensure that pavement is constructed with a 2% slope that it is pitched away from any building.

Ensure the plastic 4mm spacers are installed at all corners of the installed pavers.

PLANKS

When installing porcelain planks (16 x 48, 12 x 48 & 8 x 48), always lay the pattern of 1/3’s. These should not be placed next to each other at 50%.

Installation Basics

Follow the detail drawing.

The required edge restraint system is a low profile edge restraint with a vertical height of 1½ inches as shown in the drawing.

Mechanically anchor edge restraint into the concrete base.

Ensure geotextile is installed directly on top of the concrete to contain the bedding sand.

Ensure that pavement is constructed with a 2% slope and that it is pitched away from any building.

Ensure the plastic 4mm spacers are installed at all corners of the installed pavers.

PLANKS

When installing porcelain planks (16 x 48, 12 x 48 & 8 x 48), always lay the pattern of 1/3’s. These should not be placed next to each other at 50%.

Installation Basics

Follow the detail drawing.

The required edge restraint system for this installation has a vertical height of 2½ inches as shown in the drawing. Follow the edge restraint manufacturer’s recommendations for the use of their product in permeable applications regarding geogrid usage and placement to maintain the performance of there edging.

Ensure that pavement is constructed with a 2% slope and that it is pitched
away from any building.

Ensure the 4mm spacers are installed between all pavers.

PLANKS

When installing porcelain planks (16 x 48, 12 x 48 & 8 x 48), always lay the pattern of 1/3’s. These should not be placed next to each other at 50%.

STEP 1: EXCAVATION OF PATIO OR WALKWAY AREA

Remove all grass or plant material from the area of excavation. Excavate approximately 3 to 3½ inches below the finished grade and over excavate the installation area 6 inches beyond the edge of the Mirage Porcelain pavement. The excavated depth will accommodate the Geo-fabric, the pre-compacted 1/2″ sand leveling layer, the EZ Base and your Porcelain slabs.

*EZ Base installations are intended for foot traffic only.
** prior to excavation, check with local utility services to ensure digging will not damage any below grade utilities

STEP 2: LEVELING AND COMPACTING THE EXCAVATED AREA

Carefully excavate the area to create a level soil sub-grade that slightly slopes away from structures (i.e. a house). Using a hand tamper compact the sub-grade and ensure the excavated area is as smooth as possible, making sure that the sub-grade is within +/- 1/4″ of the excavation depth. Use a string level to establish the desired slope for your area.

STEP 3: GEO TEXTILE AND PRE-COMPACTED BEDDING SAND INSTALLATION.

Install the geo textile barrier fabric (weed barrier) on top of the compacted sub-base. Spread a slightly hydrated layer of sand to a depth of 3/4″ over the geo textile and compact the sand leveling layer. Screed and strike off the compacted sand leveling layer to a final thickness of 1/2″ using a straight using a straight edge to screed which will create a smooth final sand leveling surface.

STEP 4: INSTALLATION OF EZ BASE

Install EZ Base on the finished sand leveling layer so that it is fully covers the excavation area including the 6 inch over excavation. Start laying the EZ Base units according to a staggered pattern while ensuring locking of the tongue and groove system. Trim any visible curves or protruding angles that are beyond excavated area using a utility knife.

STEP 5: INSTALLATION OF EDGE RESTRAINT AND PORCELAIN SLABS

Lay porcelain slabs directly on the EZ Base panels. Ensure your EZ Base panels extend the 6″ beyond the edge of the porcelain pavers. To properly space the porcelain slabs, ensure that Spacer G pieces are installed throughout the entire installation. Install a low profile edge restraint on the EZ Base, making sure it rests firmly against the pavers. The edge restraint can be secured to the EZ Base panels with either HWDA Anchors (as shown in our detail drawing) or spikes.

STEP 6: INSTALL, SWEEP AND HYDRATE POLYMERIC SAND

Pour, spread and sweep the polymeric sand into all slab joints, insuring all joints are filled. Sweep the surface clean with a fine bristle broom or carefully utilize a blower to remove any excess sand or remaining dust. Gently mist the surface of the installation according to the polymeric sand’s manufacturer directions which will hydrate the polymeric sand joint and initiate the curing of the joint.

*aways follow the instructions from the polymeric sand manufacturer

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO CONSIDER

We never compact our porcelain slabs. Saturating the surface with a hose will cause the polymer binder to wash out of the sand mixture and flow below the slabs as well as wash the sand out of the joints. Misting keeps the polymer suspended in the mixture so that it can bind everything together and it also keeps the sand from being washed out of the joints during the hydrating process.

PLANKS

When installing porcelain planks (16 x 48, 12 x 48 & 8 x 48), always lay the pattern of 1/3’s. These should not be placed next to each other at 50%.

INSTALLATION NOTES:

Ensure that pavement is constructed with a 2% slope and that it is pitched away from any building. Referenced approved Cementitious Adhesives: Laticrete 254 Platinum or MVIS Hi-Bond Veneer Mortar. Referenced approved joint Cement Grout – Laticrete Permacolor, or Permacolor Select Grout or MVIS Premium Pointing Mortar. 100% Silicone Caulk: Laticrete Latasil. For Cementitious adhesive and grout installation, refer to the manufacturer’s technical instructions and specifically as they relate to outdoor installations.

For concrete foundation slabs that are not large enough to require contraction / control joints, a minimum 4mm (1/8″ to 3/16″) grout joint is acceptable, but for larger concrete foundation slabs that do require contraction / control joints, the joint width should be a 3/8″. It is absolutely imperative that all contraction / control joints be located in the joint line of installed porcelain pavers and not beneath a paver.

Caution: If a Porcelain Paver is installed over a control joint, the paver will reflectively crack along the contraction / control joint beneath it

PLANKS

When installing porcelain planks (16 x 48, 12 x 48 & 8 x 48), always lay the pattern of 1/3’s. These should not be placed next to each other at 50%.

INSTALLATION OF PORCELAIN PAVERS WITH SILCAMAT™

Follow the detail drawing.
• Lay the SilcaMat™ over the SilcaGrate™.
• Place 2-dimensional spacers in place as you install pavers. Pavers should make direct contact with the mat to prevent movement and reduce sound.
• Apply polymeric sand to the joints and wet down. The sand will allow the pavers to interlock as a unit.

INSTALLATION OF PORCELAIN PAVERS ON THE SILCAGRATE™ WITH NO SAND AND NO LANDSCAPE FABRIC

Follow the detail drawing.
• Lay the SilcaMat™ over the SilcaGrate™.
• Place 2-dimensional spacers in place as you install pavers. Pavers should make direct contact with the mat to prevent movement and reduce sound.
• Apply polymeric sand to the joints and wet down. The sand will allow the pavers to interlock as a unit.

INSTALLATION OF PORCELAIN PAVERS WITH LANDSCAPE FABRIC

• Lay the landscape fabric over the SilcaGrate™.
• Glue flexible or rigid SilcaSpacers™ in place as you install pavers; use SB 190 adhesive. Flexible spacers will reduce sound and movement.
• Apply polymeric sand to the joints and wet down. The sand will allow the pavers to interlock as a unit

SILCAMAT™

SilcaMat™ can be used between SilcaGrates and porcelain pavers, stone, or pavers:

Deadens sound
• Reduces movement of pavers or stone
• Permeable
• Made from 94% recycled rubber

Available in 2 thicknesses:
• 1/16″ Thick; Weight: 75 lbs.
• 1/8″ Thick; Weight: 125 lbs.

SILCASPACERS™

Available in three types:

Flexible – Excellent for Porcelain Installations
• Reduces Movement
• Reduces Noise

Rigid – Black PC/ABS
• Provides consistent joint spacing
• Reduces chipping of pavers

Rigid – Clear Acrylic
• Color doesn’t show through polymeric sand

INSTALLATION NOTES:

Follow the detail drawing.

Ensure that concrete slab is smooth, even across the surface and is constructed with a 2% slope and that it is pitched away from any building. Ensure the plastic 4″ pedestal support are installed at all corners of the installed pavers.

NOTE: Pedestal installations can be done with Westile® and MRP (Eterno Ivica) Pedestals. Use Westile ® pedestals for 24×24, 36×36 and 18×36. For plank and modular unit installations, use MRP (Eterno Ivica) Pedestals