Modern design of courtyards and landscape design of sites unthinkable without the use of paving stones. The industry produces several of its types with many colors and shapes. The cost of this material depends on many factors and varies widely. Today there are even a lot of special forms for self-production of paving stones. And the filmed video of laying paving slabs with your own hands: step-by-step instructions and even more. After all, those who have learned to do this on their own often want to help others with their skills.
Paving slabs can have different colors and shades.
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Types of paving slabs with their pros and cons
Today, no one can be surprised by the beautiful design of the entrance to the house or garden plot using paving slabs the most incredible shapes and colors. But few people know that behind this variety there are only a few main types of paving stones, which are classified according to the method of their production:
- Vibrocast.
- Vibropressed.
- Hyper-pressed.
- Polymer sand.
The most economical option is tiles made by vibrocasting.
All types have their own advantages and disadvantages, different costs, as well as laying technology. With your own hands, paving slabs of any kind can be laid, having understood in detail its specific features.
Tile production by vibrocasting
This is the easiest and cheapest way. It is based on the ability of concrete to compact by vibration. Plastic molds are filled with the ready-made solution and installed on a special table that produces vibrating movements. Then the workpieces are placed in a thermal chamber for drying. After a while, the tile is ready for use. The whole process takes very little time and resources.
Paths and a courtyard made of paving slabs are a decoration of any yard
To create different colors, dyes are used that are added to the solution. It is not very difficult even to open your own mini-factory in the garage for the production of this type of paving slabs. A video of do-it-yourself installation and production of this material will help to competently implement this project.
The advantages of vibrocast tiles are:
- the presence of a glossy surface;
- susceptibility to a wide variety of dyes;
- low production cost.
Paving slab walkway surrounded by garden flowers
However, it is not devoid of significant drawbacks:
- weak strength;
- poor frost resistance;
- short service life.
Moreover, it is impossible to automate the production of this material. Based on the characteristics, vibrocast tiles can only be used for the construction of garden paths and, preferably, in the southern regions of the country, since significant temperature drops destroy it very quickly.
Molds for garden paths do it yourself (video)
You can quickly and conveniently arrange a track usingmold for paving slabs.
Useful advice! High-quality tiles, when struck against each other, produce a characteristic ringing sound.
Pressed types of tiles
The technology for the production of vibropressed tiles is noticeably different from the previous one. The molds, filled with concrete mortar, are connected to a piston that vibrates, creating an alternating pressure in the working chamber. Due to this, a strong compaction of the mixture occurs. Heat treatment is no longer required. This tile is much stronger.
Hyper-pressing allows you to completely eliminate piston vibration. In this case, even more pressure is created, due to which the concrete is compacted. By using this method, production can be fully automated.
Pressed tile track at their summer cottage
The advantages of pressed paving stones:
- low susceptibility to mechanical stress;
- a high degree of production automation;
- long-term operation;
- weak susceptibility to low temperatures and their changes.
Their disadvantages:
- a small number of colors;
- scarcity in a variety of forms.
Common sizes and shades of paving slabs
Useful advice! Overly saturated tile colors may indicate the addition of cheap, bright dyes that are easily washed out by rain.
Due to its sufficiently high strength and durability, pressed paving slabs can even be used for the device of entrances to houses, since it is able to withstand not heavy traffic of light vehicles, if the laying technology is followed. With their own hands, paving slabs of this type can be laid by everyone with basic skills and tools.
How to make a garden path with your own hands (video)
Polymer sand tiles
This is a special innovative type of pavement pavement. It differs from others not only in the manufacturing method, but also in the composition of the main components. The composition is completely free of cement. But the basis is the usual sand... Polymers and plasticizers act as binders. In addition, dyes are used to impart different colors.
Related article:
Paving slabs for paths in the country. Prices and types. Styles of paths in the country, paved with paving slabs. Correct selection and laying of paving slabs. Inspirational photos. Video instructions.
The sand is sieved, calcined and mixed with polyethylene. Then it is heated to 250 degrees and the remaining components are added. The resulting mass is poured into molds and pressed. The tile obtained by this method does not allow moisture to pass through, which completely excludes the possibility of its cracking under the influence of freezing water.
Wide garden path lined with paving slabs
This type of tile has many advantages:
- Wear resistance and strength are higher than other types.
- Does not wear out over time.
- Moisture proof.
- Not afraid of frost.
- Not chemically active.
- Simple installation.
- Low weight of the product.
- Large range of colors and shapes.
- Long service life.
At the same time, there is only one drawback - expansion in hot weather. In this regard, the technology of self-laying paving slabs of this type involves leaving 3 mm gaps.
Laying tiles in circles with an original color combination
Useful advice! There should be no yellow spots on the back of the tile. Their presence indicates a violation of technology, in particular, the use of clay sand.
DIY paving slabs laying video: step by step instructions
If a decision is made to lay paving slabs with your own hands, step-by-step instructions on how to carry out this process will be completely superfluous. If we talk about the methods of laying tiles, then there are many of them. It all depends on the imagination of the owner of the site. The pattern can be: in the form of a herringbone, in a checkerboard pattern, weaving or in circles. Just a chaotic pattern looks beautiful. The styling technology does not depend on imagination and it happens:
- on a wet sand substrate;
- using a sand-cement mixture;
- laying on a slurry of cement and sand.
Laying paving slabs with your own hands
The first method involves the preliminary arrangement of a sand cushion. In the second option, cement is added to the sand and watered a little with water. When using the third method, a solution is prepared in a proportion of 1 part of cement to 5 parts of sand.
Useful advice! When calculating the number of tiles, it is necessary to add from 5 to 7% of their planned number, since in case of a shortage, you may not find exactly the same shade.
Paving slabs have a wide range of sizes, textures and colors
Having decided on the pattern and technology, you can start laying paving slabs with your own hands. The step-by-step instruction includes the following steps:
- The top layer of soil is removed by 15 cm.
- Slopes are formed, both along and across the path for the drainage.
- Marking the area where the work will be carried out, with pegs and twine.
- Arrangement of borders if necessary.
- Formation of the selected type of pillow with a thickness of 7 cm.
- Leveling the surface.
- Laying paving stones and its ramming.
- Finishing grouting of joints.
If the path will be with curbs, then they must be firmly installed on the concrete mortar before the paving device. The tiles are first laid near the curb. Then you need to move to the middle. In order not to crush the already prepared surface, the movement should be from oneself. Tamping is done using a rubber or wooden mallet.
If any tile lays down unevenly, then sand can be added or, on the contrary, removed, subsequently making additional compaction. It is advisable to immediately choose the width of the track so that it includes a whole number of tiles. If this is not possible, then along one of the borders, the tiles can be cut with a grinder with a special stone attachment.
An example of laying paving slabs using geotextiles
The last step will be grouting. It is made with a sand-cement mixture. The seams are filled with it to the required level.
Useful advice! It is always necessary to keep some spare tiles for possible future repairs to the walkway.
A self-made paving path will delight its owner for a long time with impeccable service in any weather only with the right choice of the type of tile and strict adherence to the laying technology.
