Hello,
I am currently planning a terrace. We are looking for something with a wood look, but not actual wood.
The first option that comes up is of course WPC. My current plan is as follows:
WPC – Fiberon Horizon Symmetry with an aluminum substructure on adjustable pedestals. Subsurface: gravel, crushed stone, weed barrier fabric, concrete slabs, pedestals, spacer tape, WPC decking.
Estimated cost for the substructure and WPC is about 5000€ for 32m² (344 sq ft).
Through further research, I came across porcelain stoneware – 2cm (0.8 inch) thick "ceramic terrace slabs" called “Foresta.” Here, the aluminum substructure is not needed – everything else would be the same. Due to the cheaper surface material, I would expect to spend around 3000€.
However, I find very few user experiences with porcelain stoneware in gardens.
Is installation on adjustable pedestals the best method for porcelain stoneware? Or is it better on drainage concrete? Directly on crushed stone?
Regarding adjustable pedestals:
Since joints cannot be closed when laid on pedestals, does this lead to an untidy appearance? Can it be ensured that all tiles lie flat, stable, and level without wobbling?
I am currently planning a terrace. We are looking for something with a wood look, but not actual wood.
The first option that comes up is of course WPC. My current plan is as follows:
WPC – Fiberon Horizon Symmetry with an aluminum substructure on adjustable pedestals. Subsurface: gravel, crushed stone, weed barrier fabric, concrete slabs, pedestals, spacer tape, WPC decking.
Estimated cost for the substructure and WPC is about 5000€ for 32m² (344 sq ft).
Through further research, I came across porcelain stoneware – 2cm (0.8 inch) thick "ceramic terrace slabs" called “Foresta.” Here, the aluminum substructure is not needed – everything else would be the same. Due to the cheaper surface material, I would expect to spend around 3000€.
However, I find very few user experiences with porcelain stoneware in gardens.
Is installation on adjustable pedestals the best method for porcelain stoneware? Or is it better on drainage concrete? Directly on crushed stone?
Regarding adjustable pedestals:
Since joints cannot be closed when laid on pedestals, does this lead to an untidy appearance? Can it be ensured that all tiles lie flat, stable, and level without wobbling?
Christian Glan21 Jan 2022 17:25KlaRa schrieb:
@ PhilippK:
"Is installation on pedestals optimal for porcelain stoneware? Or is drainage concrete better? Directly on gravel?"
Answer to this:
With only 20mm (0.8 inches) tile or slab thickness (as you mentioned), these are not self-supporting. This means: 20mm (0.8 inches) thick tiles cannot be installed on pedestals because they will break under load. For this purpose, slabs about 40mm (1.6 inches) thick are necessary.
You will most likely not install drainage concrete but rather a drainage screed.
This is always based on single-grain aggregate (to allow water drainage through the material structure).
The disadvantage of this non-standard substrate is obviously the lower flexural and compressive strength due to the single-grain structure, which can only be compensated for by significantly greater thicknesses.
So the only option remains installation in a gravel bed if only a material thickness of 20mm (0.8 inches) is available!
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Regards, KlaRa Hello KlaRa,
Sorry, but this is simply not correct. Porcelain stoneware terrace slabs with 2cm (0.8 inches) thickness can be installed on pedestals and remain fully supported. Please avoid spreading such incorrect information. I would also like to share additional useful details and links, but I was already reprimanded for this this afternoon. Since you are a moderator here, it would be helpful to receive clarification about whether this is allowed.
Best regards,
Christian
I need to correct or withdraw my previous statement regarding the required board thickness and apologize for that:
Christian Glan is right.
There are 20mm (about 0.8 inches) thick patio slabs that are advertised for installation on pedestals!
@ Christian Glan:
It must be admitted that references to one’s own services in a forum dedicated to providing expert technical information to homeowners can leave a somewhat bitter taste.
A certain self-interest—at least the almost pressing suspicion that arises—cannot be completely ruled out in such a link to the questioner(s).
If the admin—and only he is able to do so—“reprimanded” you today (quote), he certainly did not do so without reason.
And when you (please refer to your response) ask whether this is allowed, I can only answer with reference to the sentence stated there ["(...) was already reprimanded for this this afternoon. Since you are a moderator here, it would be nice to receive some information regarding whether this is allowed."]:
Yes, he is allowed to do so, it is permitted.
Best regards, KlaRa
Christian Glan is right.
There are 20mm (about 0.8 inches) thick patio slabs that are advertised for installation on pedestals!
@ Christian Glan:
It must be admitted that references to one’s own services in a forum dedicated to providing expert technical information to homeowners can leave a somewhat bitter taste.
A certain self-interest—at least the almost pressing suspicion that arises—cannot be completely ruled out in such a link to the questioner(s).
If the admin—and only he is able to do so—“reprimanded” you today (quote), he certainly did not do so without reason.
And when you (please refer to your response) ask whether this is allowed, I can only answer with reference to the sentence stated there ["(...) was already reprimanded for this this afternoon. Since you are a moderator here, it would be nice to receive some information regarding whether this is allowed."]:
Yes, he is allowed to do so, it is permitted.
Best regards, KlaRa
tomtom79 schrieb:
We have ceramic tiles that are 2cm (0.8 inches) thick, measuring 90x45cm (35x18 inches).
In our case, they were laid directly on gravel, but some now sound hollow when walked on, which annoys me, although my wife doesn’t notice it at all.
We made one mistake: you definitely should use tile spacers with a cross shape. These are available with just a few millimeters of thickness and can be placed directly in the gravel layer. This way, you can also grout the joints.
And please don’t choose anthracite color; those get very, very hot.Since I just received the notification:In 2020, we actually removed all the tiles and reinstalled them. It annoyed me. Now we have about 10cm (4 inches) thick gravel bedding with tile spacers underneath and no joint sand.
Now the tiles don’t lift, and they don’t sound hollow at all.