In recent years, the hardscape business has been taken by assault by the porcelain paver fever. Many homeowners have started to discover the amazing advantages of this material as a paving option. So, how to install porcelain pavers over concrete?

Porcelain pavers can be installed over a dry installation, like any regular paver. This article talks about that in depth. But today we are here to discuss how to install porcelain paver over concrete.

So let’s go straight to it with a simple guide and then talk a bit more about the advantages of porcelain pavers.

Porcelain Pavers Over Concrete: Disclaimer

Before we start, there is a very important aspect that need to be discussed.

Porcelain pavers, or any pavers for that matter, can only be installed over concrete as long as the concrete installation is structurally intact.

If the concrete patio in question has a few cracks that do not compromise the structure as a whole, that’s ok. You can simply fix it with mortar or similar. But if there are broken pieces loose and deep grouts and patches, the installation cannot be done and maybe your best course of action would be to remove the concrete entirely.

So if your concrete passes the structure test, you’re ok to proceed to the installation of the pavers.

Installation

Porcelain pavers can be installed over concrete using two different methods: with a sand base or a mortar base.

In both cases, you’ll have to first prepare the concrete before proceeding. The first step of this preparation is the same in both cases: a deep cleaning of the concrete patio using a pressure washer and product like TSP or similar. After the cleaning, let the concrete dry for at least 24 hours.

In the case of a sand base, you’ll need a drilling machine with drills long enough to drill the concrete and reach the floor beneath it. These holes must be at least 5 feet apart from each other. Once all the holes are done, you fill them with small clean pebbles.

In the case of a mortar base, you first have to fix any cracks in the concrete with a pre application of mortar, making sure everything is perfectly leveled. Give the mortar some time to be completely dry.

Mortar should be spread over little sections, enough to cover only four pavers at a time. Leave a space of about 2″ between each paver. Paver spacers can help you with that.

Carefully lay the pavers and don’t shift them around once they are in place. Simply proceed, with patience and precision, until you have finished the installation.

But we do have to clarify something: installing porcelain pavers by yourself might prove difficult. Especially for someone without experience.

So rather than ask yourself “how to install porcelain pavers over concrete”, maybe you should ask “who can I ask to help me with my installation”. We are going to talk about that later, for now let’s talk about the advantages of porcelain pavers.

Advantages of Porcelain Pavers

There are many reasons why porcelain paver have been dominating the market recently. But the main reason is simply the superiority when it comes to its long term value.

In case you don’t know, pavers have to be sealed. Most pavers are porous, and to present staining and water absorption they need to be protected by sealers. Sealing is a big part of paver maintenance, and where most of the investments go in the long run.

Porcelain pavers, however, do not require sealing.

During their fabrication process, they are submitted to extremely high temperatures and pressure. This causes a process called vitrification, in which the materials, essentially, become a form of glass surrounding the entire paver.

The end result is a material that is non-porous, and therefore without the need for sealers to be protected.

Porcelain paver are also incredibly resistant and have a ton of different option when it comes to color and design, certain to fit almost any imaginable project.

The installation process might be a little more difficult, due to the sheer weight of the pavers, and the initial cost is higher compared to other traditional paver choices. But porcelain pavers have proven time and time again that they are more than worth in the long run.

As for cleaning, porcelain pavers couldn’t be easier to handle. A regular sweep to prevent the accumulation of leaves or other biological materials and a deep cleaning with a pressure washer every month will already do the job.

Professional Help to Install Porcelain Pavers

Porcelain pavers are an excellent choice and a worthy investment. However, they need to be handled carefully during the installation process.

For starters, they are very heavy and might be difficult to work with without the help of other two or three people. Especially, when it comes to an “over concrete” installation, where several things need to be taken into account, like proper slope, drainage and integrity of the concrete itself.

The more qualified people, that know everything that is to know about how to install porcelain pavers over concrete, will always be experienced hardscape professionals. When in doubt, you should always get in touch with one and ask for help with your project.

We here at Eagle Pavers have been working with porcelain paver for the better part of our 14 years of activity, and we know the importance of a quality installation. It prevents huge headaches in the future, so we highly recommend you hire professionals to help you.

And if you are around the Sarasota and Manatee counties, in FL, why not give us a call to help you?

You can contact us right now at +1 941-210-4192 or email us at sales@eaglepavers.us. We would be happy to hear from you and help you with your porcelain paver project.