When choosing a material for decorating garden paths and the local area, one should take into account not only its decorative abilities, but also durability and practicality.

The tile can have a different shape, size, color, thickness and structure, but it must have high strength and resistance to external aggressive environments. Modern polymer-sand paving slabs are distinguished by such properties. This material is practically new, but it has already managed to prove itself well.

Production technologies and selection of raw materials

The composition of polymer sand paving slabs includes only three components:

• Sand (about 75%);
• Polyethylene or high pressure propylene;
• Dyes of inorganic origin.

The texture and strength of the material depends on the quality of the raw materials used. In the production process, special attention is primarily paid to the quality of the sand. Before use, it is well washed, sieved and calcined at high temperatures. The particle size is very important, so sand of medium size is chosen.

After thorough mixing of all components to a uniform texture and color, the mixture is sent to a special extruder, where it is mixed again and melted. Then the resulting mixture is sent under a press and plates of the desired size and shape are formed from it.

Such tiles can withstand temperatures down to -70 ° C, while it does not crack or split, unlike polymer-sand concrete paving slabs.

Characteristics and properties of the material

Polymer sand paving slabs have the following characteristics and advantages:

• high level of wear resistance and strength;
• water resistance (moisture does not penetrate inside, but accumulates on the surface in the form of drops);
• resistance to chemical aggressive environments;
• light weight;
• withstands impressive low temperatures;
• ease of installation;
• variety of shapes, sizes and colors of fractions.

But it should be remembered that the material can expand under the influence of high temperatures, so the laying of polymer-sand paving slabs is done taking into account the necessary gaps.

Installation secrets

The characteristics of polymer-sand tiles make it possible to use it both in urban conditions and for arranging a summer cottage. Preparatory work begins with the foundation, on which the laying technology will depend. It can be of two types: sand or gravel.

Laying on a sand base is carried out in a similar way:

1. From the territory where the tiles will be laid, the upper ball of soil (15-20 cm) is removed.
2. Then the base is leveled and compacted, taking into account the slope.
3. Along the edges, special borders are made, which wake up with a 5 cm layer of sand, spill with water and are also compacted.
4. The curbs are marked, followed by the installation of curbstones.
5. A layer of geotextile is applied to the prepared compacted soil with an overlap of 15-20 cm.
6. From above, a layer of sand is poured onto the geotextile layer, then it is spilled with water, compacted and leveled. There are several such layers.
7. Next, the tiles are laid with a gap of 3-5 mm and leveled using a rubber mallet.
8. Seams after laying are filled with sand.

Laying on a crushed stone base provides for the first 4 points, and then the area is covered with crushed stone and compacted. Crushed stone is poured with a concrete screed of 5-10 cm. The tiles are laid on a special glue or concrete mixture (2-3 cm layer), the seams are covered with sand or a dry mixture of concrete and sand. After complete drying, they must be rubbed with a stiff brush.