Clinker pavers offer a very special charm on terraces and driveways. However, it takes some time to prepare and plan.
Cobbled surfaces made of concrete blocks are as good as everyone's, wood can also be found on many properties. In the driveway area, however, wood is not recommended. Wood is not necessarily designed to be constantly driven over by a car. In addition, wood must be maintained and treated regularly so that it can withstand the weather conditions.
Clinker bricks are among the most expensive types of paving, but they leave behind their very own charm. While these stones were often only available in shades of red in the past, you can now choose from a larger range of products, ranging from yellowish to almost black. The only important thing is that it also fits the house facade. After all, the overall picture should also please without exception.
Large companies such as Röben and Wienerberger offer you a large number of different bricks. You will certainly have the opportunity to take a close look at the bricks at your local builders' supply store or hardware store.
» Advantages of pavers
Clinker pavers have decisive advantages, especially in the driveway area or on terraces. Clinkers are burned particularly hard and are therefore more weatherproof than wood and concrete blocks. They can hold very little moisture, so they are guaranteed to be frost-free in winter.
Another advantage is the robustness, which is of course positive in the area of vehicles. The only important thing here is the appropriate substructure for the load-bearing capacity.
➤ Laying the driveway with pavers - step-by-step instructions
Once you have received your pavers, you can start preparing the wing.
Before you start right away, you should have all the materials and any machines you may need ready. Eventually, once you get started, you want to keep going and not have to pause for missing things.
I can say from experience that laying paving stones is quite hard on the back, especially for inexperienced peoplecan go. Not only the laying alone, but also the constant transport of the stones with the cart is exhausting. You should therefore consider whether you should borrow a pallet truck or even a forklift for the short construction period. You can move the stones to the right place as required without lying on the couch with a sore back in the evening. Companies such as cegema.de offer a large network for renting various construction vehicles throughout Germany. But some local construction companies often lend their vehicles to private individuals for a fee. Asking questions saves you a lot of time and a lot of effort.
Once you have organized everything, you can start.
➥ Step 1: Preparations
Before you can lay your new pavers, you have to take care of the substructure. Without this, you won't be able to enjoy the clinker bricks much.
Depending on the nature of your system, you must first dig out the area to be paved. A base layer has to be placed under the paving stones so that the stones can later hold the weight of the cars.
For paving work, a gradient of 2.5 percent must be planned. Of course, the gradient must lead away from the house. To do this, it is best to stretch cords that you can use as a guide at any time.
➥Step 2: Carry out excavation
Now you can do the excavation. Depending on the area, either with a spade or faster, of course, with an excavator. Dig so deep that after excavation you will be at least 20 centimeters below the finished height of the paving. It is best to shake the excavated area with a vibrator or alternatively with a tamper. You can also rent vibrators in many hardware stores. Hornbach.de, for example, offers just such a service in many cities.
➥ Step 3: Install base layer
So that the stones don't sink later and, in the worst case, burst, you have to put in a base course. This should consist of a mixture of sand and gravel (grain size 0-32) and be at least 10 to 30 centimeters high. This also has to be shaken down again afterwards so that everything remains stable. Again, remember the gradient.
➥ Step 4: Apply bedding material
After the base layer is finished, a so-called bedding material is applied. The bricks are then laid in this “bed”. The bedding material usually consists of crushed sand or grit. Distribute this mass evenlyonto the surface to be paved and level off this surface with a leveling plate. The better you carry out the preparations, the easier it will be to lay afterwards. Then all you have to do is add it and you're done.
➥ Step 5: Lay the clinker pavers
Now comes the best part - finally you can see results. How you lay the pavers depends entirely on your wishes and ideas. At theilmeier.de you will find an overview of nine different laying patterns. Some are quite easy and quick to lay, while others are a bit more complex. You decide. The clinker bricks are laid accordingly and tapped lightly with a rubber mallet.
➥ Step 6: Compact clinker paving
So that the clinker bricks then have a firm hold, they must be compacted at the end. Gravel is best for this. This is spread over the entire surface and then swept into the joints with a broom. Finally, add water and let it dry up.