Contrary to popular belief installing tiles over existing concrete actually makes a lot of sense.
Tile pavers over concrete.
If you want to use travertine tiles i would lay them in concrete either on your existing concrete if it s stable or starting from scratch.
Glue down the last border patio blocks.
Scrape away the excess sand and cut off the excess landscape fabric with a utility knife.
Once the concrete has dried border pavers will be glued down using mortar or a construction adhesive.
Lay the field pavers over concrete as you would on any paver patio.
Pavers are designed to be flexible with the surface.
Installing the tiles on top of concrete is very simple and doesn t take a lot of materials.
Then a one inch thick layer of sand is added across the entire area where the pavers will be laid down.
This helps drain water away from the pavers and off the concrete slab.
Before you begin make sure your concrete is properly sloped and doesn t puddle.
Tile tech s porcelain pavers are a lightweight and thin alternative over traditional concrete pavers specially when used on elevated roof decking applications.
However this isn t necessary because you can lay the pavers directly over the concrete.
With over 60 years producing architectural products wausau tile is a leading paver manufacturer along with precast concrete precast terrazzo terrazzo tile and site furnishings.
Before installing pavers over concrete the surface is cleaned with pressure washer to remove any dirt or debris.
Removing the concrete and replacing the patio with pavers involves laying a compacted gravel base layer.
Add to that the fact that both tiles and concrete are both mineral based so it makes sense that they would be a perfect match.
Concrete cracks because of its lack of flexibility.
The individual installation of pavers makes it possible to complete repairs with as little disturbance as possible.
If you want my recommendation i would go with the travertine pavers.
Installation would be a perfect weekend project for you and your family.
If the grades work i would dry lay it over the concrete assuming the concrete is ok.
The biggest problem with laying pavers over a concrete slab is the inability for water to drain through the blocks and down into the earth.
The first step when preparing the concrete for tile installation is to clean the concrete.
They are installed so they can move with the earth as the temperatures warm and cool.