Laying an outdoor paver: fall, joint and layout

By covering type · 6 min read · updated 5 November 2026 · Written by Tilelico

A patio faces water, frost and sun. The layout works the same as indoors, but fall, drainage and joints decide how long the floor lasts.

Real example · calculated by Tilelico

Patio of 7.00 × 6.00 m, 60 × 60 cm, 4 mm joint

WholeCutCut under 100 mmPlanter

The balanced grid keeps edge cuts comfortable, and the central planter adds only a few narrow cuts, flagged on the plan. The joint, wider than indoors, also changes the grid pitch and therefore the edge cuts: a detail only a calculation reveals.

Calculated result

Room area: 42.00 m²
Area covered: 36.98 m²
Whole pieces: 84
Cut pieces: 56
Actual need: 140
To order (+8%): 152
Waste with no offcut reuse: 26.6 %
Narrow cuts: 2

Most frequent cuts

56 cuts in 13 different sizes.

C01 · 600 × 282 mm× 11
C02 · 600 × 278 mm× 11
C03 · 178 × 600 mm× 9
C04 · 174 × 600 mm× 9

Setting out and products

Starting point 178 mm from the west wall and 282 mm from the north wall, then a 604 × 604 mm repeat. Estimated products: 129 kg of adhesive and 6.3 kg of grout.

Reproduce it in Tilelico

1Draw a 7.00 × 6.00 m rectangle, then add in the centre: Planter.
2Choose the covering: 60 × 60 cm, 4 mm joint.
3Select the “Straight” pattern.
4Set the distribution to “Balanced cuts” and the margin to 8%.

Open this example in the editor

When to choose it

It suits patios, balconies and surrounds, with a product made for outdoor use and the local climate.

Best forThick porcelain pavers, simple areas, and bonded or pedestal lays depending on the substrate.
Avoid ifThe structure is not designed for the load, or water drainage is not assured.

Continue with: Straight tile laying: the complete guide, with a real example →

Preparing the job

Check the fall and water drainage, and the product’s frost resistance. The system (bonded, on pedestals, on a bed) depends on the substrate and its manufacturer.

Locate existing movement joints: the layout must respect them.

Continue with: Travertine Roman opus: the laying and ordering guide →

Step by step

Step 1 — Check the substrateCheck the fall and its direction before any setting out.
Step 2 — Set out from the buildingThe most visible edge, often the threshold, is the reference.
Step 3 — Dry-layLay out one row in each direction and check the edge cuts.
Step 4 — Lay using the chosen systemFollow the sheet: outdoor-rated adhesive, pedestals or bed, with products that go together.
Step 5 — Grout and checkUse an outdoor-rated grout and respect the movement joints.

Continue with: Laying large-format tile: the method in 120 × 120 →

Mistakes to avoid

Filling a movement jointIt lets the substrate move: covering it leads to cracks.
Forgetting waterA paver without sufficient fall holds water, which freezes and damages the lay.

These pointers describe common practice, not imposed rules. The data sheet for your covering and for your installation products always takes precedence, and measurements taken on site are the reference.

Frequently asked questions

Which joint for a patio?

It is often wider than indoors. The width depends on the tile, the area and the manufacturer’s sheet.

Do pedestals change the layout?

The principle stays the same, but pedestals impose their own spacing: check the chosen system.

Technical references

This guide describes common installation practices. It does not replace applicable technical documents, manufacturer instructions or measurements taken on site.