
Travertine Pavers Perth are a crowd favourite due to their sheer elegance, cooling capabilities and exceptional durability. They can be used for virtually any application and are commonly used for driveways, around swimming pools, for entertainment areas and so much more. If you have decided they are the paver for you, here is our travertine paver installation guide to help you install them with precision.
Before you get started, there are some things to consider, such as:
The quality of the travertine
Not all stone pavers are equal, and it is important to keep this in mind when choosing your travertine pavers. Poor quality travertine will not hold its integrity and appearance over time, and you’ll likely need to replace it sooner than you’d probably like to. The last thing anyone wants to do is spend good money on pavers that aren’t going to last. Ensure that you are using high-quality travertine to guarantee a long-lasting and durable finish.
Where you are installing them
If you plan on installing your travertine as a driveway, you’ll need to consider the thickness. At minimum, they should be no less than 50mm thick. Using a thinner paver may see them crack under the weight of vehicles. Additionally, if your driveway is on an incline or slope, you may need to install your pavers in a pattern configuration to prevent them from shifting out of place. If you are unsure about this, it is a good idea to speak to a paver installer for advice.
Drainage
Drainage should be factored in for all hardscaping projects. This ensures that water can drain away freely rather than flooding or pooling on top of the pavers and running off to the areas surrounding them. If this is your home, water may infiltrate inside, and your insurer is unlikely to cover you for damages if this integral component wasn’t in place.
What you will need
It is best to have everything you need before laying your pavers, this way you won’t have to stop and start. You will need:
- Travertine pavers – Enough to complete the whole area
- A shovel
- A compactor
- Rubber mallet
- Crushed gravel
- A measuring tape and string
- Wooden stakes
- Polymeric sand
- A level
- Sand
- Gloves
- Masonry saw
- Stiff bristle brush
There are several ways to install travertine pavers. If you intend on using them for a driveway, we recommend setting them on a concrete slab. This ensures that they are secure and don’t buckle under the weight of vehicles. Below we are explaining the installation method for one of the most popular ways to install travertine, and that is the dry-laid method.
Dry-laid method of installing travertine pavers
This installation technique consists of a bed of crushed gravel and sand. Here is how to do it:
Excavate the area and compact
You’ll need to prepare the ground first. The involves removing excess soil and levelling the ground. For projects such as walkways and entertainment areas the excavated ground needs to be around 4 to 6 inches deep. A driveway is double the depth and needs to be approximately 12 inches deep. Once you have excavated the area, you will need to compact the soil using your compactor.
Mark out your border
Using your measuring tape, measure out the paved area and mark it with your string and wooden stakes. Once you have marked out the space, step back and have a look at it before continuing, if you are not happy with how it looks, now is the time to make any changes.
Apply your crushed gravel
Apply and spread your crushed gravel over the surface ensuring that it is level. You can now compact this. The crushed gravel plays a key role in your paved area as it adds stability and allows water to drain away freely.
Add your sand
Add your sand to the compacted gravel and spread out evenly, ensuring it is level. After this, you can compact it into place.
Start laying your pavers
Once your base is prepared you can start laying your pavers. Before you do, it’s a good idea to determine where the best starting point would be to give you the most appealing finish. Your pavers can be laid anywhere from 1/16″ to 3/16″ apart. Ensure that your pavers are level and equally spaced apart.
Apply your paver sand
Once you have finished laying your pavers, you will then spread your paver sand over your pavers and brush it into the gaps using a stiff broom.
Seal your pavers
This next step is optional but highly recommended. Paver sealer can extend the lifespan of your pavers significantly. There are several sealers to choose from, and you can opt for a wet-look finish or more of a matte.
How easy is it to install travertine pavers by myself?
Travertine pavers are heavy and you do need to allow sufficient time to complete the task. You can lay your travertine pavers yourself however, to ensure a high quality and long-lasting finish, we recommend hiring a professional. Many paver installers will offer a guarantee on their jobs, and they can work with you to come up with the most aesthetically appealing and functional paved area possible. Getting it wrong by going down the DIY route may cost you more in the long run, and it can detract from the appeal of your home. Not to mention the potential dangers that poorly laid pavers pose.
If you do decide to lay your travertine pavers yourself, we hope this post has given you an idea of how to do so successfully. Make sure you do plenty of research and check with your local council before starting your project. You may need to obtain a permit beforehand to complete the work.
Looking for premium travertine pavers?
If you are looking for the highest quality travertine pavers on the market, look no further than Bonita Stone. We manufacture, import and supply the finest pavers that money can buy. In addition to this, we also offer a premium paver installation service if that is something you are interested in. Our paver installers are some of the best in the industry and they pride themselves on the standard of their work. For more information, check out our website.