Hello everyone,
We are planning to have our terrace built soon.
Our landscaping contractor offers to install the terrace either on gravel or in mortar concrete.
Since we want a relatively large terrace (36 sqm (387 sq ft)), the concrete option would be much more expensive.
Additionally, in a few years, we would like to add a louvered roof. Installing the slabs on gravel would make it much easier to add concrete footings later on.
However, I keep reading that laying slabs on gravel often causes problems.
Therefore, I would be very interested if anyone can share their personal experience?
Our landscaping contractor said that if we use large slab sizes (at least 80x80 cm (31x31 inches)), he does not see any issues with gravel installation. He would grout with epoxy resin.
Who has installed their terrace on gravel and would do it again, and who would choose differently next time?
Best regards
We are planning to have our terrace built soon.
Our landscaping contractor offers to install the terrace either on gravel or in mortar concrete.
Since we want a relatively large terrace (36 sqm (387 sq ft)), the concrete option would be much more expensive.
Additionally, in a few years, we would like to add a louvered roof. Installing the slabs on gravel would make it much easier to add concrete footings later on.
However, I keep reading that laying slabs on gravel often causes problems.
Therefore, I would be very interested if anyone can share their personal experience?
Our landscaping contractor said that if we use large slab sizes (at least 80x80 cm (31x31 inches)), he does not see any issues with gravel installation. He would grout with epoxy resin.
Who has installed their terrace on gravel and would do it again, and who would choose differently next time?
Best regards
N
nordanney10 Oct 2025 08:42Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Now my question is, what disadvantages do I still have if I let 2cm (1 inch) of mortar be used for bonding?None. You only have advantages because it allows better installation, durability, and flatness. You can either bond 2cm (1 inch) on drainage concrete or thicker and in gravel.
B
Bauherrin12310 Oct 2025 20:51tomtom79 schrieb:
If using a gravel bed, keep it to a maximum of 2-3cm (1 inch), otherwise the tiles start to shift and slide.
And for the corners, gravel bed spacers
In the past, tiles were always laid on a gravel base, I don't know why everyone wants to glue them now.
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
In the past, the panels were always laid on gravel, I don’t know why everyone wants to glue them now.You’re not listening, are you? They wobble, they shift, they move. But just do it however you want.