How to Lay Porcelain Paving Slabs

To make certain that your garden patio has a long life and will look fresh for the foreseeable future, we strongly suggest that you hire a professional Landscaper to lay these slabs for you.

However, if you feel that you are adept and confident and are looking for a project, then we urge you to carefully read through our guide on how to install paving in your garden.

Step 1 

Before starting anything, you must make a plan and create a blueprint for where exactly you want the patios to be installed. This step is made simpler if you are using single-sized paving slabs, as all you have to do is put them in the formation you desire. A formation that is commonly used is referred to as the offset, brick pattern.

Step 2

Once you have figured out where you want your slabs, carefully mark the area with either string or spray paint. If you want to be extra precise you should use an angle measure to make sure that all your lines are straight. Once everything has been properly marked, proceed with the digging process. Dig within the marked area so that there is enough space for 100mm of sub-base. 25mm of Sharp Sand/Cement and the paving depth. We would suggest you use a spirit level to ensure that the ground is as level as possible.

Step 3

Once you have dug through the area add into it MOT Type 1 limestone at a 50mm depth and go through with a rake for an even and level distribution. Utilise a Wacker Plate (which you can hire) to compact the hardcore into the area.

Step 4

Proceed by adding 25mm later of a full mortar bed over the hardcore base by using either washed grit and cement or sand and cement. This is an essential step in the process, if you skip this your paving slabs will NOT be secure. Once that is complete, distributing water via a watering can make the surface damp until it has enough moisture, and then rake over it again.

Step 5

Once these steps are complete, you will be able to lay your paving. As we have stated above, please be very careful when laying these slabs, and if you can lay them at a 1/60 angle as this aids with drainage should heavy rain occur. We also want to remind you that you need to wear heavy-duty gloves throughout this entire process.

Use a slurry or compound and spread it through the back of the slabs before you lay them into the sand/cement. Start with installing the first slabs at the peak point of your patio, going from corner to corner. This is an important step as placing the first slab currently determines the rest of the project, so make sure to check that all the angles and levels are correct.

KEEP IN MIND You must remember to leave at least a 3 - 6mm gap between each slab for Porcelain Paving and a 10 -12mm gap for Sandstone and Limestone Paving to have space for the jointing in between. Also, make sure to remember that you should seal the back of sawn products to avoid mirroring.

Allow the Sharp Sand/ Cement to dry. It must dry slowly, if rain is forecasted, use a large plastic sheet to protect it.

Step 6

Once the sand/cement has completely dried, it is time to join the pavers together. At Stone was have the relevant products you need to get the best results. We suggest our new Azpects EasyJoint Select. if you want to make your own that is also possible as we also supply mortar mix; it’s easy to remember 4 parts sand to 1 part cement.

It is best practice to leave the jointing grout for 24 hours to set and after that time limit has passed you should be able to safely walk over it and enjoy your new garden patio!

Best Garden Paving Inspiration

Use our Online Garden Visualiser to get the best garden patio ideas! This free application allows you to upload a photo of your garden to then browse through our garden supplies and see what suits your garden best. 

You can also use one of our garden templates to place the Quartzite Crossover Grey Pporcelain Paving to get great garden inspiration. You can also see what our Sandstone Paving, Composite Decking and Decorative Stones look like!

Click Here to use the Garden Visualiser Now  

Buy With Confidence

• Our paving can be purchased in quantities of 5 square metres or as single paving stones.
• Please enter the amount of single slabs or 5 sqm you need (for example 20sqm would be 4 x 5sqm). 
• All of our paving comes in crates which can be easily placed into a van or a garden using a hi-ab lorry.
• You can choose a free collection from one of our Depots or fuss-free, home delivery.

A Service You Can Rely On

• We also provide prompt and dependable deliveries nationwide.
• Stone Zone is a family-owned business that has been supplying landscaping materials since 1998
• Our friendly customer advisors can help you with any questions or your purchases.
• We pride ourselves on offering a large range of landscaping and gardening products

Sample slabs are available in-store, please ask a customer advisor.