Laying clinker pavers correctly + information on prices and dimensions

Clinker paving can be used for areas that can be walked on or driven on. You can form very beautiful patterns with the stones. In the case of surfaces that can be driven on, bracing should be selected that ensures a high level of displacement resistance.

Choice of colors

Anyone who thinks there are only shades of red to choose from is wrong. Although they predominate, there are other colors as well. Everything is possible, starting with light yellow, sand yellow, sand yellow orange, sand yellow orange red, sand yellow black and all shades of red to brown, dark brown and anthracite.

Dimensions pavers

On the one hand, the stones differ in length and width, but also in strength and height. So it also happens that you need different numbers of stones for one square meter. Normal clinker paving usually has the dimensions 200 x 100 x 45 mm. 48 bricks are needed for one square meter. There are also the following dimensions: 240 x 118 mm, 220 x 108 mm, 200 x 200 mm, 240 x 240 mm, 150 x 150 mm and 300 x 150 mm. The possible height dimensions are: 45 mm, 52 mm, 62 mm and 71 mm

Lay clinker paving

As with other paving stones, the substructure is also important with clinker. Thickness and layer structure depend on whether the surface should only be walked on or driven over. The substructure consists of several different layers that are to be applied in layers. All must be very well compacted so that the paved surface is and remains stable. In the case of clinker, surface drainage is of particular importance. For this reason, the necessary gradient of at least 2% must be planned and implemented in the base course. There are a lot of laying patterns. The stretcher or row bond is very simple. The elbow or herringbone bandage or the block or parquet bandage is often used. More complicated, but very beautiful is the shed plaster. Diagonal bracing and the circular shape are also somewhat more complex.

substructure

The substructure for the clinker paving should consist of a stable, water-permeable and frost-proof base layer. Then comes a bedding of crushed sand and gravel or grit. The height of the layers depends on whether the area has to be walkable or driveable. Laying in a mortar bed is also possible, but is rarely used. However, a higher gradient must be planned for here so that the drainage works.

• First, the area must be staked out and excavated. For large jobs, it is advisable to borrow a small excavator.
• The substrate must be stable and at the same time frost-resistant. This often requires compacting. The vibrator is used for the first time. This can also be borrowed. Plan and install a gradient of 2% now. This prevails through all layers and should always point away from buildings.
• The substructure is applied to this. The base layer serves as a leveling layer and for load distribution.
• Height for walking area - 20 cm for sandy soil, 40 cm for clay soil
• Height for driveable area - 40 cm, can be up to 80 cm
• A gravel-sand mixture (mineral mixture) with a grain size of 0/16, 0/32 or 0/45 is suitable.
• Always apply the filling in layers and compact each layer with the vibrator.
• If you have planned an edging, you should install it now. (see under bound construction)
• This is followed by the bedding, which is 3 to 5 cm high. It also needs to be compressed.
• The bedding, consisting of a mixture of crushed sand and chippings with a grain size of 0/4, 0/5 or 0/8, is poured in as the last layer and compacted slightly.
• Peel off this layer so it is even.

Laying the clinker bricks

When laying, you should always start on a straight side. In order to get straight butt joints, you should work with taut cords. Be sure to keep the exact angle. When laying, be careful not to step on the sandy subsoil. At the end, you can use a water-cooled stone saw or an angle grinder to make adjustments for the edges. When laying, a distinction is made between unbound and bound construction methods. The bound one is the safer type, because an edging is used there, which prevents the cobblestones from slipping.

Unbound construction

The clinker bricks can be laid flat, but also on edge. The laying pattern must be observed. You always go forward from the area that has already been laid. The joint width is about 3 mm. Aids can be used to ensure that the distances are always the same, such as tensioned cords, aluminum laying rails or special spacers. The position of the pavement should be checked regularly using a taut cord or angle. The joints are continuously filled as the laying progresses. For this purpose, joint sand is spread on the paving that has already been laid and swept into the joints. It is advisable to then pour water over the surface so that the sand can slide into the joints. Remove excess sand and compact the surface with the vibrating plate. The shaker should have a protective plastic or neoprene pad to keep the stones from breaking off at the edges. Always shake from the center outwards. The joints must then be completely filled and wetted again, possibly several times until they are really closed.

Bound construction

The difference to unbound construction is that an edging is used here. This is made before the paving and has the purpose of preventing the outer stones from sliding sideways or sinking at the edge of the paving. On-board or molded clinkers are used. The edging stones are placed on a 20 cm thick foundation with a concrete backing. The back support is 10 cm thick and is placed between two formwork. The upper edge of this support is always based on the thickness of the adjacent surface pavement. It is ideal if the surface of the backrest is slightly sloping towards the outside.

It is important that there is no accumulation of water in the edge area. If necessary, drainage passages must be used. The laying of the stones is then no different from that described above. In order to avoid stone cuts, the exact spacing of the edging can be determined by laying out the individual rows of stones beforehand.

Prices for clinker paving

Clinker has its price. The mixture of clay, loam, fireclay and feldspar is durable, a natural product and very popular. That keeps prices high. The price per square meter starts at around €15. The prices vary, however, depending on the firing temperature. Those with the highest temperatures are significantly higher in price. The higher-fired clinker bricks cost around €40 to €45 each. The cost of laying clinker pavers can vary greatly. Labor costs make up a large part of the total cost. But you can also place partial orders and do some things yourself. If you have everything done, starting with the excavation and the removal of the earth, through to the transport, i.e. the delivery of the materials and the construction of the base layer and bedding through to the laying of the stones, easily come to 50 euros per square meter, often up to 100 €. It is best to get several offers and compare the prices well. However, it is also important to compare the reputations of the companies. On the Internet you can read how companies are judged. There is sometimes cheating, but often something like that can be seen through. A cheap team of craftsmen who mess up is of no use to anyone. Spend a little more and hire a reliable company.

Conclusion

Clinker is particularly popular in the northern federal states. Not only paths, terraces, squares and streets are paved with it, but also houses. You can see the reddish facades and floor coverings everywhere. Clinker is durable, easy to care for and looks warm and natural. If you don't resort to a difficult laying pattern, the stones are also easy to lay. The substructure, the base layer and the bedding are important. If the structure is correct, the installation itself is no longer difficult. The slope is important so that water can run off. Wetness and frost are unfavorable, on the one hand for the stones that are not fired so hot and the resulting formation of cracks, and on the other hand for the walking and walking surfaces. passability. Clinker paving becomes slippery as soon as cool and wet temperatures occur.

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