Polymer-sand tile: reviews, stowage technology

If we are talking about the need to improve the yard near a private house, polymer-sand tiles can be used, and reviews about it can be read below.

Features of polymer-sand tiles

The polymer-sand tile, the reviews about which the master should be studied before the start of work, is based on crushed polymers, which are among other ingredients in the amount of 25 percent. They act as a connecting element. Most often high-pressure polyethylene is used in this capacity, polystyrene or polypropylene can be used. Contained among the ingredients and sand, which is the main filler, it is added in the production of 75 percent. The color of the products is given by dyes, which are usually inorganic pigments. The polymer-sand tile, which is mostly only positive reviews, is made taking into account the specific requirements for sand, which should have a medium fractionality and purity. The material is washed and calcined at high temperatures. For the production of tiles, the method of hot pressing of a mixture based on polymer-sand composition is used. The technology of vibrocompression of a mixture in dry form, as well as vibration, can be used, during which plasticizers are added. The latter two methods make it possible to manufacture articles with a low porosity.

Qualitative characteristics of polymer-sand products

The polymer-sand tile, which is the most frequently reviewed positive, has many advantages. Among them, we can distinguish high wear resistance, as well as excellent strength. The material has a low level of abrasion and excellent moisture resistance. The liquid is unable to penetrate the structure of the material, and when it hits its surface, it remains there in the form of droplets. The material can be affected by gasoline and oil, but they do not harm the quality of the products.

Temperature resistance of the material

Polymer-sand tiles, the production of which is carried out in compliance with the technology, is resistant to low temperatures, so the material could be used even if the mark of the thermometer could drop to -70 degrees. Products are well under the influence of aggressive chemical media. Polymer-sand tiles, the production of which involves the use of light materials, has a negligible weight, which is very convenient for construction. As a shortcoming of the material described, only the expansion capability under the influence of temperature can be distinguished, but this minus can be leveled by the method of providing a gap between neighboring products of 4 millimeters.

Features of laying tiles

Thanks to the above described qualitative characteristics, these varieties of paving slabs can be laid both in urban conditions and in the courtyard of a private house. Thus, the surface of the material will be able to withstand the impact of vehicle weight and abrasion, which is applied to the surface of pedestrian paths. Installation of products can be carried out by one of the existing methods: the first involves the preparation of a sand base, while the second involves the filling of a crushed stone substrate.

Recommendations for work

Sand-polymer paving slabs, reviews of which are only the most positive, can be laid on dry sand. It can be a sand and cement mixture, which is prepared without the addition of water. In the place where it is supposed to be laid, it is necessary to rid the surface of the top layer of the soil, the thickness of which should be equal to 20 cm. The base must be leveled, however, it is necessary to ensure the slope and compact the soil. At the edges it is important to form low curb ditches, the bottom of which should be well sealed. In the ditches for the installation of curbs, sand should be poured, the thickness of which should not exceed 5 cm. The surface is watered and compacted well. Next, mark the lines of the curbs, and then drive the pegs into the ground, pulling a rope or cord between them.

Border and tile laying

Equipment for polymer-sand tiles is not required, this simplifies and reduces the cost of the process. At the next stage, the grout should be poured onto the bottom of the grooves, and then the curb stone should be installed . On the compacted layer of soil it is necessary to lay linen of geotextile, providing an overlap of 20 centimeters. It is important to fix the edges with a scotch tape. At the next stage, sand is poured out, layers of aggregate are successively filled, each of which must be spilled with water and leveled taking into account the slope. Now it is possible to lay tiles, each individual product is mounted at the above-mentioned distance from each other. In this case, it is necessary to align horizontally, using a rubber hammer to adjust the position. Before laying a polymer-sand tile, you can lay a reinforcing mesh, the cells of which have dimensions of 50 x 50 millimeters. Next, a layer of dry cement-sand mixture is deposited. Sand and cement must be mixed using a proportion of 3 to 1. The composition can be slightly moistened. The finished layer is laid tile. After the formed area, it is necessary to fill in sand, which will serve as a filler for the seams.

What else you need to know about laying the material

The technology of laying sand-polymer tiles suggests the possibility of laying the installation of the material on the base of crushed stone. For this, in the first stage, the upper fertile layer of the earth is removed, the bottom is compacted and leveled. Further, depressions are made for the installation of a curbstone . The area allocated for the tile must be covered with rubble, the fraction of which can vary from 20 to 40 millimeters. This filling is compacted well. Further, in compliance with the slope, a layer of concrete screed is poured, the thickness of which can be from 50 to 100 mm. On a layer of a solution of sand and cement, which has a thickness of 3 centimeters, it is necessary to lay the tile. Instead of the solution, tile glue can be used (according to some masters, it will be better). Then the same composition is rubbed between the tiles, for this you can use a rigid brush. The resulting area should be spilled with water.

Customer Reviews

If you chose sand-polymer tiles, the laying of this material, as the experienced master says, should be carried out on the tile glue. This composition will be able to firmly fix the material. Buyers who after the installation of the tiles, note that the work - it is a pleasure, because you do not need to be afraid that the product will burst or crack. This allows you to exclude marriage and save money. In winter, as can be read in customer reviews, the tile can be cleaned from snow, and it will not be damaged in any way. Polymeric-sand tiles with their own hands fit quite simply, according to private developers.