What are 2 cm ceramic pavers?
2 cm ceramic pavers (often referred to as 20 mm terrace gres) are special pavers designed for outdoor applications.
Unlike standard adhesive-bonded tiles:
- they have greater thickness,
- they are more resistant to loads,
- they have low water absorption,
- they are frost-resistant,
- they can usually be installed on terrace pedestals.
The most common formats are:
- 60×60 cm,
- 60×120 cm,
- 80×80 cm,
- 90×90 cm,
- 120×120 cm.
Why are 2 cm ceramic pavers so popular?
The popularity of 2 cm gres pavers stems from a combination of aesthetics and technical parameters.
The most important advantages:
- high frost resistance,
- resistance to UV radiation,
- easy cleaning,
- resistance to dirt,
- a wide range of patterns imitating wood, concrete, or stone,
- the possibility of installation without adhesive.
- good price-to-quality ratio
Unlike many concrete pavers, gres does not require impregnation and does not absorb grease or other dirt.
Ceramic pavers on a raised deck terrace
A raised deck terrace allows you to lay pavers without permanently gluing them to the substrate.
The pavers are supported at points (at the corners) on adjustable pedestals or fixed support pads.
This solution provides:
- quick installation,
- easy dismantling,
- the ability to replace a single paver,
- free water drainage,
- access to installations located beneath the terrace.
Pedestals for 2 cm ceramic pavers
Two basic types of supports are used for paver installation.
Fixed support pads
Most commonly used at low heights, on ground-level terraces, or where adjustable pedestals do not fit.
Height range:
- 2 mm
- 8 mm
- 10 mm
- 15 mm
- 16 mm
Adjustable pedestals
Used where you need to level:
- slopes,
- uneven substrates,
- height differences.
Depending on the series, they allow heights from 10 mm to 950 mm.
How does the installation of ceramic pavers on pedestals proceed?
The installation can be divided into several stages:
- preparing the substrate,
- determining the terrace level,
- arranging the pedestals,
- leveling the structure,
- laying the pavers,
- executing edge finishing.
Thanks to this, the entire system is installed "dry," without the use of adhesive or grout.
If you can select terrace pavers so that their multiple matches the dimension of the raised deck terrace, the installation process is much faster - it can be completed in a few hours.
If the terrace outline dimension differs from a multiple of the pavers, tools for cutting them will be necessary. This can be an angle grinder with an appropriate disc for the type of material the paver is made of, or a special machine for cutting ceramic, stone, or concrete terrace pavers.
➡ See also: Installation of the terrace without permanent gluing
What pavers can be used on pedestals?
The most commonly used are:
2 cm porcelain pavers - The most popular solution.
Concrete pavers - Very durable, often used on large projects.
Stone pavers - Granite, basalt, porphyry, and other natural stones.
Renovating an old terrace with 2 cm pavers
One of the greatest advantages of the raised deck technology is the ability to modernize existing surfaces.
Ceramic pavers can be laid, among others, on:
- old tiles,
- paving stones,
- concrete screed,
- existing waterproofing.
Thanks to this, costly demolition of the old terrace can often be avoided.
