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How to install outdoor tiles on sand?

Kia ora guys,

I'd love some advice on how to tile our outdoor patio space using sand for compacting.

The space is currently partially tiled using river pebbles, however, we want to re-tile using sand (as this is better for drainage and easier on our feet). We also have a limited budget, so don't want to go down the concrete route.

Half of the area is a concrete slab (under the existing tiles), the other half is soil.

Advice on how to compact the soil, and how to navigate adding a layer of sand would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Minu

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Decking and Paving

Building and Construction

Landscaping

Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Minu. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about paving.

I'm sure you'll find @Adam_W's article on How to lay paving for a path useful. Right up until laying the bricks is the same for your project, except you'll be laying spaced pavers and backfilling around them with river pebbles. As mentioned in his guide, you'll need to remove some soil from the area before compacting with roadbase and/or sand. A mechanical compactor will be your easiest option, or you can use a Trojan 205mm All Steel Tamper if you're looking for a bit of a workout.

Once you've gone through the above guide, please don't hesitate to post any questions you might have. We're here to help and can't wait to see your finished project.

Mitchell

Minu

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/18435#Comment_18435

Thanks heaps Mitchell, appreciate your quick response!

I have a few clarifying and follow-up questions as we've been getting conflicting advice from different people/places on how best to lay tiles on sand (please note the advice you provided above suggested we were paving using river pebbles). Please see some photos for progress on this space!

My partner and I cleared up this area and put up boundaries and weed mats.

Our proposed next step is to put a layer of base course and then tamper this down. At this stage, we're hoping to level this out with a minimum 2% gradient so any water build-up runs off away from the house (given this patio is surrounded by three walls). Then we'll line this area with SureTex Geotextile (which we hear is good to keep the structural integrity when paving on sand - but do you think we can omit this or is it necessary?). Then we'll add a layer of paving sand and tamper this down before laying the tiles.

Does this sound correct to you? Above you directed me to go view a video by Adam, this was helpful thanks, but a little different to our area, so just wanted to make sure our approach is correct).

Thanks heaps,

Minu

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72052#Comment_72052

Hello @Minu

Thank you so much for the photo updates. It's great that you've received spot-on advice from my colleague @MitchellMc. I know that it feels like the Geotextile will not be serving any purpose, but believe it or not, it is the key to the longevity of your installation. Geotextile allows water to pass through but prevents soil or sand from getting through. It prevents the sand from being carried away in heavy rain. You can imagine if there was no Geotextile, the sand would slowly be eroded away.

A good technique when installing Geotextile is to let it go up the boundary by about 30mm. This will serve as a border for the sand and prevent it from being dragged away by rainwater.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your tiles laid out and ready to use.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Minu

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99371#Comment_99371

Hi @EricL

Thanks for that advice, good to know and we'll definitely be using it then!

Will send you further updates as we track on.

Cheers,
Minu

Minu

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99371#Comment_99371

Hi @EricL and @MitchellMc

Thought I'd share a couple photos from our patio glow-up (compared to how it all started if you look at the photos above)! Thanks so much for all your advice along the way, we really appreciated it!

Next step - adding some plants from Bunnings and getting a pizza oven!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116567#Comment_116567

Wow, looks fantastic @Minu. Congratulations. I'm sure you'll spend many happy times out there with friends and family.

Looking forward to seeing that pizza oven go in!

Jason

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116567#Comment_116567

Bravo @Minu! That looks spectacular! I'm really impressed with your efforts, and I trust you're too.

Many thanks for coming back to us with your results. I can't wait to see your next project.

Mitchell

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116567#Comment_116567

Hello @Minu

That looks beautiful. I'm already seeing all the good times you'll be spending outside while cooking some mouth-watering pizza! What plant did you put in the corner? I can imagine that this will be an informal garden area as well.

We look forward to seeing your next project.

Eric

Civa91

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72052#Comment_72052

Dear @Minu ,

I am also in the same boat, can I ask what tile you used for this project? I am looking at something that is not slippery but looks aesthetic. Also what tool did you use to measure the fall/gradient?

Warm regards,

Shiva

JacobZ

Hi @Civa91,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Hopefully, @Minu will respond shortly with some advice about what tile they used. You can also check out our range of outdoor pavers and tiles.

To measure the gradient, you'll need a tape measure and a way of finding level. The size of the area will likely dictate your approach. If it is a small area, you could simply use a long spirit level or you can use a combination of string lines and a line level over longer distances. There are also laser levels that can work over long distances.

Start by picking a datum point and making a mark, either on a wall or timber stake. This is a fixed point that will not move or change throughout the entirety of your project. In your case, this should be the highest point in the area. From this point, you want to use your levelling tool to mark level points in all four corners of the space.

Once you have level in all four corners, you can measure down from this point in all four corners to mark a desired height that will achieve your desired gradient.

From there, you can use these marks, alongside a straight edge to get your sand substrate perfectly flat following your desired gradient.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

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