Approved sintered stone slabs can be dry-laid on a prepared sand or gravel bed without adhesive. Build and compact the support layers, maintain the drainage fall, place the slabs with the specified spacers, level them with a rubber mallet, restrain the edges and finish the joints with a material compatible with the selected system.
Dry laying makes suitable slabs removable and reusable because they are not bonded to the bedding layer. The illustrated method uses a minimum 2% drainage fall. Layer depths, joint widths, traffic limits and the choice of sand, gravel, polymeric sand or grout still come from the exact paver detail and the project conditions.
“No adhesive” applies to the dry-laid slab route shown here. The separate Pavè block detail below includes a reinforced screed and may use binder or cementitious joint material where its specification requires it.
Prepare the materials and tools before you start
Place every material and control tool on site before screeding the bedding layer. Check that the slab or Pavè format is approved for the intended detail, and keep the plate compactor for the soil, sub-base and bedding—not the finished slab surface.
Sintered stone slabs
Inspect the approved size, finish, thickness, edges and batch before the bedding layer is disturbed.
Sintered stone Pavè
Use the Pavè sequence only for the block format and base construction shown in its approved detail.
Cross spacers
Keep the planned joints open and aligned; use the spacer size stated by the selected slab system.
Plate compactor
Compact the ground, sub-base and bedding in controlled lifts before the pavers are placed.
Rubber mallet
Seat each unit with controlled taps; never strike exposed corners or use the mallet to hide an unstable bed.
Level and datum lines
Set finished elevation and the drainage fall before placement, then check the plane as each row advances.
Bedding and joint materials
Confirm the specified sand, pea gravel, binder, polymeric sand or compatible grout before opening bags.
Clean buckets
Separate mixing, clean-water and residue-removal buckets so joint materials are not contaminated.
Read the layer build-up before you excavate
The correct excavation follows the complete section, not the thickness of the visible paver. The main diagram above shows a ground installation; the next diagrams show a terrace or roof build-up and a Pavè ground build-up.
Slab build-up on the ground
For the illustrated ground detail, the layers are: A) slab with cross spacer, B) sand or gravel, C) non-woven fabric, D) drainage layer and E) soil. Compact the supporting ground and preserve the drainage path through every layer.
A — Slab with cross spacer
B — Sand or gravel
C — Non-woven fabric
D — Drainage layer
E — Soil
Slab build-up on a terrace or roof
The sand or gravel ballast sits above the separation, insulation, moisture-control, waterproofing and sloped structural layers. Do not place ballast until waterproofing, outlets and finished elevations have been approved.
A — Slab with cross spacer
B — Sand or gravel ballast layer
C — Separation layer
D — Thermal insulation
E — Moisture-control layer
F — Waterproofing layer
G — Sloped screed
H — Structural floor
Pavè build-up on the ground
The Pavè detail is a different assembly: the blocks sit on sand or gravel above a reinforced screed, sub-base and soil. Treat its bonded or cementitious elements as part of the Pavè specification, not as proof that slab dry laying needs adhesive.
A — Pavè blocks
B — Sand or gravel
C — Reinforced screed
D — Sub-base
E — Soil
Depth note: the supplied slab method shows a 10–30 cm (4–12 in) sand or gravel layer over a non-woven or separation layer. This is the illustrated system's range, not a universal Funtek depth. Soil strength, frost, rainfall, paver format, edging and traffic can require another engineered section.
How to dry-lay sintered stone slabs on sand or gravel
Complete the slab installation in five controlled stages. Keep at least a 2% fall in the illustrated method, avoid walking on freshly screeded bedding and check each slab for rocking before moving to the next row.
Spread and screed the bedding layer
Place the specified sand or gravel over the non-woven fabric or separation layer, establish the finished elevation and screed it evenly. Add binder only when the approved system calls for it.
Compact the supporting layers
Use the plate compactor on the soil, drainage layer, sub-base or bedding as the selected detail specifies. Restore the planned plane and a minimum 2% drainage fall after compaction.
Place the slabs with cross spacers
Lower each slab onto undisturbed bedding instead of dragging it into position. Insert the specified cross spacers and check the grid, perimeter clearance and edge restraint as work advances.
Seat and level each slab
Tap the slab with a rubber mallet while checking the plane and drainage direction. Lift and correct the bedding if the unit rocks; do not force an unsupported slab flat.
Fill and clean the joints
Use the approved joint material for the bedding and drainage concept. Sweep or apply it to the required depth, clean residue before it hardens and keep outlets open.
Do not run a vibrating plate compactor over installed sintered stone slabs unless the exact paver system expressly permits a protected procedure. Compact the support layers first; seat the slabs with a rubber mallet.
How to lay sintered stone Pavè blocks
The Pavè sequence uses a reinforced screed and a thinner compacted bedding layer. Let the screed cure, preserve the drainage plane and use the joint width and fill specified for the block system.
Construct and cure the reinforced screed
Form a reinforced screed about 5 cm (2 in) thick over the prepared sub-base, following the selected detail for reinforcement, fall and curing. Do not cover it before it has reached the required condition.
Place at least 2 cm of bedding
Spread a sand or pea-gravel mixture at least 2 cm (0.8 in) thick over the cured screed. Screed the layer evenly without blocking the planned drainage direction.
Compact the bedding layer
Compact the sand or pea gravel with suitable equipment before laying the blocks. Recheck the finished elevation and fall, then avoid disturbing the prepared surface.
Lay and seat the Pavè blocks
Place the blocks in the planned pattern and maintain 5–20 mm joints where this illustrated system applies. That equals about 0.2–0.8 in. Seat each block with a rubber mallet and keep the rows aligned.
Fill the joints and clean the surface
Fill the joints with the compatible polymeric sand or cementitious grout named by the system. Remove residue promptly, protect the work for the required curing period and keep drainage outlets clear.
Check the installation before use
The finished field is ready only when the pavers are stable, joints are consistent and water reaches the intended outlet. Inspect the surface before furniture, landscaping or final cleaning hides the evidence.
| Check | Pass condition | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | No slab or block rocks under normal foot pressure | Lift it, correct the bedding and reseat it before joint filling |
| Drainage | The planned fall continues to a working outlet without ponding | Trace the high or blocked area and correct the plane or outlet |
| Joints | Widths remain consistent and the fill reaches the specified depth | Reset drifting units and refill only after the grid is stable |
| Edges | Perimeters and cut pieces are supported and restrained | Rebuild weak edges; joint fill cannot replace edge restraint |
| Surface | No chipped units, cement haze or loose joint residue remain | Replace damage and use only the approved cleaning method |
Fix common sand or gravel installation mistakes
- A slab rocks after placement: lift it and rebuild the bedding beneath it. Do not lock movement in with grout.
- Water ponds between rows: stop placement and restore the planned fall before more pavers hide the problem.
- Joints close at one edge: reset the row with the correct spacers and verify perimeter clearance.
- The edge course moves: install or correct the designed restraint; joint material alone does not hold the field in place.
- A cut chips or cracks: replace it and correct the blade, feed and support method. For cutting and dust-control planning, use the complete sintered stone installation guide.
The Bottom Line
Sintered stone slabs approved for dry laying can be installed on a prepared sand or gravel bed without adhesive. The result depends on a compact, draining and restrained base, controlled spacing, careful mallet levelling and a compatible joint finish. Use the separate Pavè sequence only when its reinforced screed and block detail match the project.
Plan Your Sintered Stone Paver Project
Send the site type, area, slab or Pavè format, soil or structural base, drainage plan and preferred joint finish. Funtek can review the material and project-supply brief before installation begins.
