Can you install outdoor tiles over pavers?

[Ona-Budget]

I want to make a garden path kinda like the image, stepping stones between grass. It will lead to the pool. 

The pool has beautiful travertine stone capping and has nice 400x400 outdoor  tiles around. 

I would love to have travertine pavers but my budget is next to nothing as I am on maternity leave.

The previous owners who installed the pool left a heap of the spare outdoor tiles. I know I can't just use tiles like pavers as they are too thin. However could I glue them to the top of cheap 400x400 concrete pavers, almost like a veneer? If so what would I use to secure them? Sorry if this is a ridiculous question... I'm inclined to think it's bot possible as I couldn't find it on google lol

[JacobZ]

Hi @Ona-Budget,

Firstly, welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is great to have you with us.

I can't see any reason that you couldn't do this as the tiles have a nice flat surface to adhere to.

You should use a cement based tile adhesive such as Davco 20kg SMP Evo Tile Adhesive to stick the tiles down. You'll need two Buckets, one for mixing in, and one for clean water and a sponge. You'll also need a Notched Trowel for adhesive application. 

Most importantly, don't forget your personal protective equipment, ie. gloves, eye protection and a mask/respirator.

To see the what's involved in tiling, I would look at this helpful step by step guide Bunnings DIY-Advice page; How To Lay Floor Tiles.

If you need any further advice, please feel free to reach out.

Jacob

[Ona-Budget]

Thanks @JacobZ for the prompt reply and welcome message.

This will likely be one of many questions lol as I have alot of time on my hands, but very little experience and budget lol

I will give it a crack, and see how it turns out.  Thanks again

[JacobZ]

Hi @Ona-Budget,

The only way to gain experience is to "give it a crack", as you've said. 

Myself, my colleagues and our wonderful community of knowledgeable people will be here to help you along your journey, so please reach out whenever you have any questions. 

You might even find you love it so much that not long from now, you're the one helping out others at the start of their DIY journey.

Good luck,

Jacob

[Ona-Budget]

@JacobZ,, another question sorry, I just watch the video and looks like I'll probably make a bit of a mess of

it, so was wondering if I'm just doing one tile on one paver of the same size per stepping stone can I just use a gorilla glue or like.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Ona-Budget,

I wouldn't advise it. Tile adhesives are designed to be far more resistant to water than a super glue style adhesive and being outdoors it will be exposed to water. For the best results, you should definitely use the tile adhesive.

It's not too hard to keep things tidy if you set yourself up well before starting and have a bucket of clean water and sponge handy for any clean up. My experience with tiling is that it's about making a "controlled" mess, then cleaning it up as you go.

If you need further advice, please let me know.

Jacob

[Ona-Budget]

Following on from my previous post. I am planning to use outdoor tiles to create a stepped path similar to the pic.  I was planning to use the tiles as basically a veneer to the paver. However I thought the tiles were 400x400 and would fit on pavers I had. However turns out they are 450×450 and being on a budget I can't just buy bigger pavers.  

I am now thinking of making my own pavers/ slabs in situ to put the tiles on. I have a few questions as to how I might do this in the most cost effective way. Note I have zero experience with anything like this so tell me if it sounds to ambitious.

1. Can I use the pavers and some bricks I already  have in the 'slabs' to reduce the amount of concrete I need? E.g if I want a 'step' to be 1x2 tiles (450×900) can I put 2x 400x400 pavers down and just fill the gaps so to speak maybe with a thin layer with mesh or something on top? 

2. For the form work, since they are only small slabs and (hopefully already have pavers in there) can I use fence pails and garden stakes as they are cheap. Is there anything cheaper? 

3. What concrete mix would you reccomend? 

4. If I was feeling super ambitious and wanted to do some thinner steps like pictured, how would one cut ceramic outdoor tiles of this size on a budget? I looked on the website and there is a $40 tile cutter but it looks to be only 300mm. Also how would I make the edge smooth?

Thanks, any advice is greatly appreciated 

[EricL]

Hello @Ona-Budget 

Thanks for sharing your question about your tiling project. From an assembly point of view, I recommend building the concrete steps as a single slab with mesh support in it. Using separate parts as a base for the steps opens up the possibility of the base moving separately causing the tiles to split and get damaged. Whereas a single base will stay stable and if it does move, it moves as a whole and not separately.   

I believe your idea of using palings for formwork is very economical. My best advice is to use WD40 on the sides to serve as a release agent and will prevent the concrete from sticking to the wood.

As for the concrete, I suggest using Bastion 20kg Premix Concrete or similar. I don't recommend using quick dry as it might cure too quickly and prevent you from getting a level surface.

In regards to cutting the tiles, my only suggestion is to get a cutter that will suite the size of your tile. Another option would be to use a grinder with a tile cutter wheel attached. To smooth out the edges I recommend using QEP Dual Grit Rubbing Stone. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric