Travertine pavers are used for many outdoor home improvements. It’s warm and vibrant and is a good material for the installation of a patio, walkway, or a raised garden. Plus, it is a great alternative to concrete as it does not absorb heat and can maintain its natural beauty for years to come. However, some people may not know about its installation process and refer to patio builders for this. We will help you install travertine pavers so that you get to reap the benefits as well.

Plan First

The first thing to do when installing travertine pavers is plan. It means you must decide on the pattern and style of the pavers. You can choose between simple patterns like a running bond or jack-on-jack and relatively more advanced ones like pinwheels or herringbone. Keep in mind that complicated designs will require more time and effort.

If you intend to build a patio, you need to measure its length and width so that you have enough room for usage, which is essentially the purpose. You do not want to install the travertine pavers simply because they look good and don’t expect much human traffic. You are will need to use the safe as well.

Moreover, you will also need to think about the thickness of the pavers. If you plan on installing a hot tub or other such heavy materials, then opting for thicker pavers is going to be a better option. Plus, there should be enough room for at-least two people to walk on it at once side-by-side. And if it’s a patio, the area will be naturally big enough to accommodate multiple people and some furniture.

Once you are done planning the basics, you should think about the factors that will make the process easier. For instance, you need to give the construction area direct access for bringing materials. If there are any obstacles or decoration pieces in the way, you will need to remove and cover them.

Furthermore, have a plan in place to handle the excavated dirt too. Planning such things before the start of the installation process is surely going to keep things smooth. Otherwise, you will simply end up wasting time on the spot with nowhere to go.

Then, you will need to determine how much pavers and other materials you will require. The best way to do that is by visiting the local store or consulting an expert. Although, you might not be able to come up with an exact number, a near guess, or estimate is going to be enough.

Prepare The Foundation

It is now time to prepare the foundation and you are going to do that by marking the layout of the patio using strings and stakes. For a square-shaped patio, you should make sure that the diagonal measurements are the same. That said, you can use a line level to ensure a level string.

If you have a curved walkway, you will need a hose for marking the curves. You need to keep the width consistent because the width is impacted in curves if not done well. Use a spade to cut the sod for marking the places you will have to dig after removing the hoses. Whether you are installing a walkway or patio, make it to slope away from the house.

For patio installation, the slope drop should be one inch per four feet. And for a walkway, you should have a 1/4-inch drop for every foot. Then, use a rented sod cutter, shovel, or a rented bobcat to dig up the area. You must be careful of the total depth as it will depend on the one-inch sand layer, four to six-inch gravel base, and thickness of the pavers.

The key here is to ensure the pavers are at or above ground level. If you’re installing it on ground level, you might have to add a wall around all. Next, you are going to need a hand tamper for compacting the base depending on the size of the area. Finally, put a layer of landscape fabric on the base to avoid weed growth.

Install The Base

A gravel paver base is going to offer the best support that’s required for outdoor living spaces. For adding a base of gravel, put 2-3 inches of gravel in one go. Wet the area using a garden hose and tamp it down until you achieve a compacted layer. Keeping the slope in mind, continue until you achieve the desired thickness.

Next, put one-inch PVC pipes where you want the edges of the walkway or the patio. After this, put a one-inch layer of granite. To make sure the surface is level, before granite, use a 2×4 wood plank to make the surface flat and level. Once the PVC pipes are removed, there will be gaps left. You should fill these gaps with sand. Repeat the steps for installing the base for the entire space selected for pavers.

Install The Pavers

For pavers installation, you will begin from a corner and make your way towards the center and only leave a 1/4-inch gap between the pavers. If you are installing a walkway, start by installing the pavers on the outer borders while continuing to fill in the rest and leave the same amount of gap between the stones because that’s the standard number.

While installing the pavers, make sure you are consistent with the alignment. If not, you will need to adjust the sand underneath. At the same time, make sure you are wearing gloves and knee pads to prevent injuries or soreness.

You can either cut the pavers to your desired size yourself or from the source you purchased the pavers. Plus, you can also hire someone to do the task for you at home. The reason is that cutting travertine patterns requires skills and you might injure yourself as well.

Moreover, if you want to install other features like an outdoor fireplace, you may get a better deal for the installation of both the pavers and the fireplace. So, consult outdoor fireplace builders Long Island.

Add Jointing Sand

Put paver jointing sand on the entire space and use a push broom to cover the entire area. Make sure the sand goes into the joints as you wouldn’t want to leave them exposed. Next, use a hand tamper or a plate compactor to ensure the pavers are level and in place while the entire area is properly covered with the polymeric sand.

Once you are done, remove the excess sand with a leaf blower. Use a garden hose to wash the walkway or patio and let it cure for at least 24 hours.

Add Final Touches

Before you can sit back and enjoy your hard work, you need to add some final touches. Once the patio or walkway has been cured, you can place some furniture or other decorative items to add to its visual appeal. Add some plants or pots to add a natural vibe. And, to keep the walkway or patio in brand new condition, make sure to spend some time maintaining it.

Conclusion

Installing travertine pavers is straightforward but you are going to need some help especially if you are doing it the first time. Take note of the tips mentioned above and hire a patio contractor Long Island for pavers installation. This way, you will keep in the right direction and prevent your hard work and effort from going down the drain.