For an outdoor project, you might use one of the many rustic materials available, such as pebble tiles. In most cases, they are offered for sale in the format of a mesh, which consists of many pieces adhered to a flexible mesh backing that is sold in squares measuring 12 inches on a side. However, they can also be installed singly in a bed of concrete mortar in order to create bespoke forms and dimensions. They can be put to use both indoors and outdoors, contributing to the aesthetic appeal of your home and garden in both settings.
Why has pebble deck tiles seen such a surge in popularity over the past several years? These panels produced from natural materials are at the forefront of fashion, and there is no better way to round off that modern look than by combining the modernism of the interior and exterior of your home with the timeless elegance of natural stone. Let’s have a glance at this fun and easy tiling technique and see how it might assist you in the process of remodeling your home in a hurry.
Overview
This one-of-a-kind method of deck tiling is really simple: Pebble Deck Tile redecorating is accomplished by affixing together natural pebbles that are visually identical, which are afterwards placed onto a mesh-backed tile that is seamless. It is possibly due to the one-of-a-kind natural circumstances that exist in Indonesia that the beach pebbles found there have become the most popular source for these so-called “Nature-Made” tiles. In a practical sense, it enables you to coat whatever surface you like, including those in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as coverings for backsplashes, patio floors and decks, swimming pools, and even wine cellars.
Advantages
- Installation that is quick and uncomplicated and does not require any specialised skills or prior professional experience.
- Able to withstand high temperatures in any environment, including those created by fireplaces and stoves, for example.
- Any coated surface receives an appearance and a sensation that is more natural and pleasant.
Helpful advice
- After you have finished, it is essential to wait the amount of time that the manufacturer of the glue recommends for it to cure before you begin grouting.
- Epoxy-based grouts are believed to be more durable than traditional grouts; nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind that they are less forgiving to an installer who is not knowledgeable.
- Because of the weight of these stone panels, if you plan to install backsplashes, you should use short nails designed for carpentry to keep the tile in place so that you can easily grout it.
If we look a little bit further, we should have no trouble finding other benefits offered by this simple alternative for house remodeling simply due to the fact that any home-maker may use it with minimal effort.
How to Install Pebble Tiles Outdoors
Mesh Format
Pebbles on mesh are pressed into the mortar exactly as if they were tiles, but individual pieces can be placed according to their size and at random. Important to understand about pebbles is that, despite the fact that they may be on a mesh, they are not uniform like an artificial deck tile. Even though the approximate dimensions of the mesh sheets are identical, you may need to make minor adjustments during installation. It is as simple as slicing the mesh with the utility knife and rearranging the pieces as necessary. Vertical forms necessitate tile spacers and wedges for support.
Individual Pieces
Individual pebbles can be put in place by putting them in some kind of mortar base. For the troweled-on method, each piece is placed based on personal preference after the mortar has been troweled onto the installation surface. When the mortar dries, the pebbles are locked in place. For deck tiles-mud installations, the same principle applies, but instead of thin-set mortar, the pieces are coated with a liquid cement slurry, which is water and cement mixed to the consistency of paint, and pressed into the deck mud whilst everything is still slightly damp and fresh. As the cement in the deck mud and the slurry on the rear of the pebbles harden, they form a bond that can’t be broken.
Existing Concrete Pads
Pebble deck tiles can be used to update a concrete or brick surface, like a patio, sidewalk, or stepping stones. The tiles were put in just like any other ceramic tiles. This is true for installations that are both horizontal and vertical. The best results come from a trowel with notches that are no deeper than 1/4 inch. Notches that are deeper than that allow extra mortar to push up through the spaces between the pebbles. For vertical formats, you can only install a certain amount of square footage per day. Mesh-backed tiles can be held in place with nails, but each piece can only be stacked 2 to 3 feet high on wet mortar before it starts to push out the lower pieces.
Deck Mud Format
If you don’t already have a concrete surface, you have to make one. First, the soil needs a layer of crushed gravel to help it drain. When packed with a machine, this needs to be between 2 and 4 inches thick. On top of this, a layer of compacted sand at least 2 inches thick is added to keep the installation from sinking over time. Then, about 2 inches of deck mud floated on top of that. This is packed in with a wooden trowel, leveled with a level and straightedge, and then either left to dry for a thin-set application or slurry-coated pebbles are put in right away while the mud is still wet. Keep in mind that excavation is needed to make room for the installation’s levels.
Grouted or Non-Grouted
The best thing to do is grout the pebbles after you’ve put them in place so you can seal the whole thing and keep water out. However, not all installations of pebble deck tiles have the same needs. Pebbles on a planter wall or individual stepping stones do not always need grout. If you’d rather have the joints open, that’s fine. Any installations that are close to the wall of a home or other building should be sealed to make sure they are completely safe.
