🖼️
The project:
I extended a small dated concrete porch with besser blocks adding new set of stairs and finishing it with silver travertine and mosaic tiles. That was one of my most ambitious projects, as I had no experience with besser blocks or tiling whatsoever. But I absolutely loved the result! I hope it will inspire you.
- Materials:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/brighton-masonry-390-x-190-x-190mm-full-besser-block_p3451359
https://www.bunnings.com.au/australian-builders-20kg-mortar-mix_p0761529
Tile adhesive
Grout
https://www.bunnings.com.au/crommelin-4l-satin-diamondtough-natural-stone-clear-sealer_p1560257
- Tools:
Brick and plaster trowels of various sizes
https://www.bunnings.com.au/qep-3mm-cross-tile-spacers-100-pack_p6821850
https://www.bunnings.com.au/dta-large-foam-sponge_p6826999
https://www.bunnings.com.au/qep-4-x-9-economy-grout-float_p0393528
https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-280mm-x-115mm-notched-plastering-trowel_p0551196
Spirit levels of various lengths
Buckets
Measuring cup
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ezitile-adhesive-grout-mixing-paddle_p0592160
Heavy duty corded drill
https://www.bunnings.com.au/uni-pro-4-piece-foam-brush-set_p1670850
https://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-medium-nitrile-dipped-garden-gloves-6-pack_p0256807
https://www.bunnings.com.au/paint-partner-aluminium-caulking-gun_p0328939
- Step 1:
Measured the area and planned the extension in Sketchup to get an idea of how many blocks I’d need and the layout of the build layer by layer.
- Step 2:
Cleaned the area and marked the outline on the floor with acrylic paint.
- Step 3:
Prepared the mortar mix and laid my first block along the marked line, checked with level on all sides. Than just kept going block by block for several days.
Before commencing this project, I watched a bunch of YouTube videos to understand the block laying techniques, which is a bare minimum for anyone with no experience. This certainly helped a lot and gave me some level of confidence to start and finish.
- Step 4:
During the same time, we demolished an old concrete staircase that left a lot of concrete debris and bricks. I was able to use them to fill the holes in the besser blocks. Then poured a thinned mortar mix over them to solidify the structure.
- Step 5:
During the same time I was scouring FB marketplace for some tiles, and was lucky to find mosaic tiles for 1$ a piece. It was also quite lucky that the size of the tiles was half the height of the besser block, so it didn’t require a lot of cutting.
Using tile adhesive, notched trowel and tile spacers, I attached the mosaic tiles to every vertical surface of the porch and stairs.
- Step 6:
Before grouting the tiles, I applied stone sealer using foam brush on travertine tiles to avoid the grout getting stuck in the porous surface of natural stone.
Only then I was able to apply grout.
- Step 7:
I used silver travertine coping pavers and leftovers of French cut pavers that I found on FB marketplace.
First I measured, cut and laid the coping pavers on stairs and around the perimeter of the porch landing. I used clamps to make sure the pavers are leveled to each other and didn’t sag or move while the adhesive dries.
- Step 8:
Then I planned the pattern of the French-style pavers for the porch landing. As it was leftovers, some sizes were missing, so I had to get creative.
- Step 9:
Using tile adhesive and other tools I laid the pavers to the pattern plan, making sure all the pavers are leveled and the gaps between the pavers are consistent.
- Step 10:
As the pavers were roughly 30mm thick, it was very hard to press the grout all the way down. So I used a refillable caulking gun to squeeze out the grout deep between the pavers. I then used grout float to press the grout in. The final step was to wash the grout and the porch of finished! I couldn’t be any more happier with the result and feel very proud of myself that I actually managed to finish this ambitious project!
