Laying patio tiles correctly

Your patio: your extra äspace for relaxation üduring sunny days. ÜThroughout the year, high-quality ceramic pavers here withstand wind and weather, sun, ice, and snow: ensuring a lasting, attractive appearance with minimal maintenance. Whether for patios, balconies, walkways, or winter gardensärten – large-format, 2-cm-thick patio slabs from Agrob Buchtal provide the perfect paving for your personal outdoor design concept.

Before installation, the load-bearing capacity of the structure must be verified. The requirements set forth in relevant standards, such as DIN standards or DZB guidelines, apply. For residential spaces or garages with structures built above them, the provisions of the Flat Roof Guidelines regarding vapor barriers, insulation, and waterproofing must also be followed.

Loosely laid floor coverings are subject to wind pressure and wind suction in outdoor areas. Depending on the wind load zone, the suitability of the system may need to be verified by a specialist planner or expert to prevent the risk of personal injury and property damage.

A ceramic tile installed on a raised floor system can shatter upon impact from an object falling from a certain height. This poses a risk of injury to anyone walking or standing on the tile. Failure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions may result in personal injury.

Installation Methods

All patio slabs can be – installed in three different ways, depending on your needs –: loose in a gravel bed, set on drainage mortar, or—for an innovative approach—on pedestal supports (60 x 60 cm size only).

Installation Method 1

Dry Installation in a Gravel Bed

Agrob Buchtal patio slabs (use joint spacers)
Backing layer with fast-setting flexible adhesive C2-S1 per DIN EN 12004 (trowel texture of at least 10 mm)
Drainable gravel/gravel bed, approx. 5 cm (grain size 2–4 mm or 2–5 mm)
Water-permeable cover
Frost-resistant base course, approx. 15–30 cm depending on traffic load
Load-bearing subgrade (with a grade in the subgrade and drainage, if necessary)

Properly Installed

Create a subgrade with a 2% slope and compact it sufficiently.
Properly install the frost protection/base course using permeable, water-permeable crushed gravel (15–30 cm, depending on traffic load), maintaining the slope.
Place a water-permeable cover.
Apply a drainable gravel/crushed stone layer (grain size 2–4 or 2–5 mm), leveling it to match the slope of the subbase.
Apply a bonding layer to the back of the slabs (tooth depth at least 10 mm) using fast-setting Flex adhesive C2-S1 in accordance with DIN EN 12004.
Lay the patio slabs with joint spacers (minimum 3 mm joint), and compact them with a roller compactor (low setting) if necessary.

Advantages of this installation method

Simple and cost-effective installation.
The slabs are immediately walkable after installation.
When installed loosely, the slabs can be replaced in just a few simple steps.

Installation Method 2

Dry Installation on Drainage Mortar

Agrob Buchtal Terrace Slabs
Installation using fast-setting flexible adhesive C2-S2 in accordance with DIN EN 12004 using the buttering-floating method
Bonding agent/contact layer (e.g., PCI Caraflott NT)
Drainable coarse-grained mortar (≥ 5 cm)
Water-permeable covering
Frost protection/base course, approx. 15–30 cm depending on traffic load
Load-bearing subgrade (with a slope in the subgrade and drainage, if necessary)

Properly Installed on a Drainage Screed

Create a subgrade with a 2% slope and compact it sufficiently.
Properly install a frost protection/base course consisting of permeable, water-permeable crushed gravel (15–30 cm, depending on traffic load), maintaining the slope.
Lay a water-permeable covering.
Apply a drainage-capable coarse-grained mortar evenly (> 5 cm) over the entire surface and level the surface as required.
Install using the buttering-floating method with fast-setting flexible adhesive C2-S2 in accordance with DIN EN 12004.
Install the patio slabs with the desired joint width.

Advantages of this installation method

A seamless appearance thanks to grouting.
When laid and bonded on drainage-capable coarse-grained mortar, Agrob Buchtal patio slabs can withstand even higher loads.
For extruded slabs, optimal bond strength is guaranteed.

Installation Method 3

Installation on pedestals

Agrob Buchtal patio slabs
Elevated supports with joint spacers
Separation layer/building protection mat
Waterproofing (per DIN 18195)
Load-bearing subbase

Properly Installed on Pile Bearing

Prepare the subfloor with a 2% slope.
Install waterproofing in accordance with DIN 18531 and lay down a building protection mat.
Place and level the pedestal supports, placing one at each intersection. Indent at the edges. For higher loads, a center support is required.
Place the patio slabs (use pedestal supports with integrated joint crosses).
Minimum contact area: 44 cm² per corner.

Advantages of this installation method

When installed on pedestal supports, the slabs can be replaced in just a few simple steps.
Cables, for example, can be run invisibly beneath the structure.
Pads also allow for “tiling over” existing patios. A new look is possible without removing the old paving. However, the installation height must be taken into account.

Additional Important Notes:

Cleaning
All standard cleaning products for ceramic tiles are suitable. Standing water on the tiles can be removed with a squeegee. The water bead that forms along the edge of the tile toward the drain—even when the tiles are installed properly—is due to the natural surface tension of water.

Load-bearing capacity
Depending on the product, the breaking load ranges from 6,000 N to over 10,000 N.

Cutting
Wet cutting with a non-segmented ceramic blade with a closed rim yields the best results. Curves are cut using waterjet cutting, and holes are drilled with diamond core bits (preferably wet).

Waterproofing
Elevated components must be waterproofed up to 15 cm above the flooring or waterproofing layer so that patio walls and windows are also protected. Installation components, such as railings, must not damage the waterproofing. Rain and condensation are drained away via drainage systems near the walls.

Expansion joints
Where the flooring meets walls or other fixed structural elements,ß or in the case of very large ß paving sections, expansion joints (at least 10 mm) must be provided.