4.8/5 
Installing Porcelain Using the FUGA-PAVE ABC System
Have you ever wondered the process of installing paving using the FUGA-PAVE ABC system? Well, we have you covered. We recently had Gareth Wilson host an installation of porcelain paving conducted by T Hoyle Landscapes. If you wish to see the full installation video, click here.
Sub-Base and Bedding
Gareth Wilson states that prior to laying paving, it is imperative that you have a correct base layer installed. For this installation, the landscaping team laid a non-woven geo-textile membrane and compacted 300mm of MOT type 1. This was installed in 50mm layers to ensure maximum compaction. Top Tip: When compacting MOT, it is good to work in three ways; compacting diagonally, horizontally, and corner to corner to ensure that maximum compaction is achieved.
Part A - Hybrid Mortar
FUGA-PAVE Part A was used as the bedding mortar for this installation. FUGA-PAVE Part A is mixed with grit sand and laid at a 25mm layer, it can be laid up to 80mm and covers 2 sqm per mix. This particular installation was laid at 20mm. The benefits of FUGA-PAVE Part A are that; it sets at a 55 Newton Metre strength, compared to the average mortar mix of 25 Newton Metre strength, it offers a lifetime guarantee, it provides good coverage and is a permeable bedding.
Part B - Slurry Primer
Gareth states that during any paving installation, the use of a strong bedding primer is key. For maximum adhesion, it is imperative you brush the back of the slabs before applying your primer. By doing so, this releases general debris and the agents of the molds of the porcelain. If you do not brush the back of the slabs, you can create a barrier between the slabs and the primer. The FUGA-PAVE Part B is applied as a slurry primer at 2 to 3mm on the back of the porcelain slab. The Part B created a monolithic bond with the polymers that are inside both the Part A and Part B of the FUGA-PAVE system, acting as a velcro between the slab and the mortar offering super strength. When applying the Part B slurry primer, is it important to do an edge to edge finish, ensuring none of the tile is exposed. This will give you the best possible strength for the installation of your slab.
Part C - Flex CH Grout
Choosing the correct grout can give your project the WOW! factor. Tilers Tools FUGA-PAVE Flex CH Grout is available in 5kg buckets and 20kg bags and comes in five popular colours; anthracite, jasmin, limestone, mid grey and light grey. For this installation, the team chose to use anthracite grout to give a great contrasting finish to the paving. The grout is easily mixed by simply adding the specified amount of water. The FUGA-PAVE Flex CH Grout offers many benefits; it is environmentally friendly, it has zero efflorescence, it is easy to apply and clean and it is UV stable. One of the main benefits of using the FUGA-PAVE system is that you can grout just three to four days after laying your slabs! The grout was applied using a hand float, but you can also use a squeegee as long as the grout joints are filled to the bottom of the bedding. The Tile grout is easy to install and offers great coverage too.
Cleaning the Grout
One of they key features of the FUGA-PAVE Flex CH Grout is that it is extremely easy to clean. The team used a scouring pad to first agitate the grout off of the surface of the tile for the first wash. The second wash was completed using the Pedalo Washboy as this fantastic piece of equipment provides a deep clean of the surface with ease due to its ergonomic usage.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you can click here to watch the full installation video over on our YouTube channel.
You can shop our FUGA-PAVE product range by clicking here or visit our general Tiling Grout store page here.
