If you have a concrete patio or driveway for a long time, you may have noticed that concrete slabs crack and look worn out pretty quickly. If you want to upgrade the space, pavers can be an exciting way to make a renovation and boost your house’s curb appeal.
Removing the concrete and replacing the patio with pavers involves a little bit of work, but you can lay thin pavers directly over the concrete. The question is: how to install thin pavers correctly?
Installing thin pavers can be trickier than you might think. Read more about it below and have all of your questions about it answered!
How to install thin pavers?
When it comes to installing thin pavers, one thing you can do is lay them over a concrete slab. This method is really common when you want to do a renovation but want to reduce costs and simplify the project.
Before you begin installing the pavers, you will need to grab the following tools and materials.
- Measuring tape;
- Chalk;
- Thin pavers;
- Thicker pavers for the edges;
- Polyurethane construction adhesive;
- Landscape fabric;
- Mansory sand;
- Polymeric sand;
- Plate compactor;
- Broom;
- Garden hose;
- Safety equipment.
All set? Now you can follow the next steps to install thin pavers over concrete:
- Step 1: Cut the grass, trim the edges around the area, clean the surface, and let it dry.
- Step 2: Measure the width of the border pavers and mark the area perimeter with chalk with the same width as the border pavers because edge pavers must be about 1 inch thicker than the rest of them.
- Step 3: Place the edge pavers with polyurethane construction adhesive directly to the concrete perimeter you marked on the previous step. Don’t forget to follow the line and placing them as tight and close as possible.
- Step 4: On the middle area, lay a piece of landscape fabric and then lay a 1 inch layer of masonry sand and spread it equally. To make sure it is all leveled, lay a level across the sand, and adjust it, if necessary.
- Step 5: Lay the thin pavers over the sand coat, following the desired pattern. One tip is to start at the closest corner to the house and working your way from side to side. If necessary, you can cut some pavers to fit.
- Step 6: Use a plate compactor over the area in two different directions to set the pavers.
- Step 7: To make sure that all the pavers stay in place, pour some polymeric sand and sweep in different directions to get into the cracks between the pavers. Unlike regular sand, this type of sand hardens after it gets wet because of the additives in it.
Can you install thin pavers over concrete in all situations?
Installing thin pavers on the concrete doesn’t work all the time. To be able to lay thin pavers over a concrete surface, the base underneath the concrete must be strong enough, and the concrete slab must be in the right conditions.
Another factor that plays into consideration when installing thin pavers over concrete is water drainage. Before the installation, you also need to check if the concrete is adequately sloped, so the water doesn’t puddle.
If you don’t know if your project is possible, the best thing you can do is to call a professional to assess whether or not it is okay to install the pavers over the concrete before you do anything. They’re gonna assist you and check for all the details.
Can I install thin pavers by myself?
As mentioned earlier, the best thing you can do here is call a professional. They check if the project is possible and guarantee that your project will have a higher quality than doing it on your own. Plus, if you add up the cost of your hours, you will not be surprised to find out it’s cheaper to hire a pro.
JS Brick is a company that specializes in the supply and installation of pavers. Whatever you need, we’ve got your back. If you live near Sarasota and Manatee, call us right now for a free estimate
