ᐅ Is it acceptable or poor workmanship to install 2 cm porcelain tiles in this way?

Created on: 12 Mar 2024 22:02
R
riffering
Hello,

I was planning to cover my new terrace with 2cm (0.8 inch) porcelain tiles suitable for outdoor use.
The terrace is not covered.
Originally, I wanted to lay the tiles loose on a layer of sharp sand, but the landscaping contractor said NO and instead suggested the following:
  • The terrace should be raised, so:
  • Remove the old slabs and create and compact a new frost protection layer
  • Install a new concrete slab with a slope
  • then set the tiles using flexible mortar with the buttering-floating method.
  • Then seal the joints.

Does this approach make sense? What about water drainage? Is there no need for a drainage system or drainage mat?

Thank you in advance!
R
riffering
13 Mar 2024 19:51
Great. So, the bag said “cement,” not drainage concrete. However, they mixed it on site with sand and fine gravel.

I don’t have any more information.

The single-grain mortar, also called mono-grain mortar or drainage mortar, is the basis of innovative mortar systems used for natural stone installation.

Unlike regular concrete, this single-grain concrete contains uniformly sized gravel particles and creates a highly water-permeable mortar bed that prevents water damage and efflorescence caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Gravel with a grain size of 2-5 or 2-8 millimeters (0.08-0.2 or 0.08-0.3 inches) is mixed with an additive consisting of trass. This is mixed in a ratio of 1:6 by volume in the concrete mixer.

I thought maybe it was made like this on site, but I have no idea.