Travertine pavers are well-known for being extremely durable, long-lasting, and beautiful. All these characteristics make them a very popular choice for patios, walkways, driveways, and especially, pool decks.
There are a lot of benefits when you choose travertine pavers, especially when you compare them with other types of paving stones, they are environmentally friendly and don’t fade over time.
Most people don’t know, but there are a lot of ways to lay travertine pavers. In this article, you’re gonna find out more about how to install travertine pavers in a step-by-step guide!
How to install travertine pavers?
First of all, it’s really common to mistake travertine pavers with travertine tiles. The main difference is that the pavers are thicker and more porous than the tiles;
The installation of travertine pavers can either be mud-set or dry-set, because of that a lot of people wonder which method is better. The best way to install travertine pavers is the dry-set method, mostly because it works for hot and cold weather conditions and it’s also easier to replace a paver, if necessary.
Before you begin, you’re gonna need to do some planning first. Mark the area you wanna cover with pavers and, since digging is involved in the process, check with your local utility company to not strike cables or pipes.
After checking everything, it’s time to grab some supplies and tools to begin the installation:
- Travertine pavers
- Shovel
- Plate compactor
- Rubber mallet
- Crushed limestone (or crushed gravel)
- Sand
- Polymeric sand
- Rope
- Strings
- Wooden stakes
- Measuring tape
- FlexBond
- Masonry saw
- Safety equipment
All set? Now follow the next steps!
Step 1: Mark and excavation
The first thing you need to do is marking the area you want to cover with strings and wooden stakes or spray paint.
Start to excavate the area. How deep you’re gonna dig depends on what the project is gonna be. Generally, walkways, sidewalks, or patios need to be about 4 to 6 inches deep, while driveways need about 12 inches deep. After excavating, compact the soil with a plate compactor.
Step 2: Create a border
Use pavers to make a border around the perimeter of the area and secure it with FlexBond. If you live in a cold-weather place, this step is extra important because it will prevent damages when the travertine expands and contracts.
Step 3: Add the base
After the border is complete, pour 6 to 8 inches of crushed limestone over the excavated area, spread it equally, check for the level, and compact the surface. Crushed limestone is highly recommended because it keeps the pavers in place and allows water drainage.
Step 4: Add sand
Pour about 1 to 2 inches of sand over the compacted crushed limestone, spread it equally, and check for the level again.
Step 3: Install edging stones
Place the edging stones into the sand following your project’s perimeter. Then, check the level and adjust if needed. After all is properly leveled, tamp the edge pavers with a rubber mallet.
Step 4: Lay the pavers
Start laying the pavers over the sand bed following the pattern of your choice, and make sure that their edges fit adequately together. If necessary, you can cut the pavers with a masonry saw in order to fit.
Step 5: Tamp the pavers
After all the pavers are laid, tamp them down with a plate compactor at least three times in different directions to make sure that they are properly pressed into the sand.
Step 6: Fill in the joints
Once the pavers are tamped, it’s time to use polymeric sand, which is the material that keeps the pavers in place. Sweep the sand into the cracks with a broom and when there is no sand left on the surface, water the area with a garden hose to set.
Can I install travertine pavers on my own?
You can, but remember that hiring a professional to do it for you is a guarantee of quality and longevity for your project. As you could see through this article, there are too many details to get right in order to install travertine pavers, and the chances of something going wrong are high when you do it all by yourself.
S&S Pavers has over 10 years of experience doing that in the counties of Manatee and Sarasota. From the design of your project to its execution, we can handle everything. And if you’re worried about the price, you can get a free estimate. If you live in Florida, don’t hesitate to contact us!
