Do-it-yourself paving slabs from plastic bottles. How to set up a paving slab business at home How to make plastic tiles yourself

Well-groomed courtyard is the face of the owners. The modern market provides many materials that will help create comfort on suburban area. For the design of paths and parking spaces, plastic paving slabs are increasingly being used. It has high quality and variety color palette, which can be a decoration for any yard.

Paving plastic tiles

A paving material or paving slab is a building element that is used to create solid pedestrian or automotive coatings. It is made from three main components:

Plastic paving slabs

  • sand is the basis and occupies 75% of the entire composition of the tile. Particularly strict requirements are imposed on it, it must be well washed, calcined, and the particles must have an average size;
  • crushed polymer is a binder and occupies 24% of the total volume (polystyrene, polypropylene or LDPE are used);
  • various inorganic dyes 1%.

As a rule, tiles are made using hot pressing. This method allows you to create a durable building material. It has high physical and chemical properties, which reduces porosity.


Plastic tiles are manufactured in many factories and have already won the trust of consumers. The production process is quite simple. To begin with, all components are thoroughly mixed so that the pigment spreads throughout the mixture and qualitatively colors the entire material. After that, the resulting solution is placed in the extruder, where additional impurities are added and thoroughly mixed again. The resulting mass is sent under the press, where the tile and pattern are formed. At this stage, the production plastic material ends.

Manufacturers make products in the form of lattice tiles and just ordinary paving stones. The lattice tile has the shape of a square, sized 50x50 or 30x30. Its thickness is no more than 2 cm, and its weight is about 1.5 kg. All elements have through cuts, on the sides of the tile there are grooves that hold the structure together. Tiles in the form of paving stones are smaller in size, but their weight is greater. Available in rich colors.

Advantages and disadvantages of building material

paving slabs, made of plastic, is superior to other types of tiles that are on the construction market. The advantages of plastic design tracks include:


Before purchasing a plastic building material, you need to familiarize yourself with its shortcomings and weigh the pros and cons.

The negative aspects of the material include:

  • of course, plastic tiles are made of durable material, but it falls short of the strength of stone;
  • plastic is erased faster than stone paving;
  • expands slightly under the influence of strong temperatures, so when installing it is necessary to leave a small gap of 3-5 mm.

Polymer-sand paving slabs

Technology of laying plastic tiles

The material is easy to install, so it can be done with my own hands. Tiles can be installed on different base: sand or gravel. If you lay tiles on sand or a cement-sand mixture, then you need to follow certain simple rules.


Laying plastic tiles
  1. The place where the tiles will be laid must be cleaned and about 20 cm of soil removed. After that, the surface must be leveled and compacted with high quality.
  2. Along the edge of the surface, you need to make small grooves where the curb will be installed. Sand (5 cm) is poured into the groove and watered, after which it is compacted. The curb line is marked, and pegs are driven in along the edges, and then the rope is pulled. A small amount of cement mortar is poured into the bottom of the groove, and curbstones are mounted.
  3. A geotextile layer is applied to the compacted soil surface, its edges must be fastened with construction tape. A layer of sand is poured over the material, watered and compacted.
  4. On the compacted sandy surface, you can begin to lay tiles. Installation is carried out using a rubber mallet at a distance of up to 5 mm from each other.
  5. After laying is completed, sand is poured onto the surface of the site, which effectively fills the seams. At the end of the work, the tiles are washed with water to remove the remnants of the cement-sand mixture.

As already mentioned, plastic tiles can also be mounted on rubble. The sequence of work is slightly different from the previous one, therefore, it requires consideration of some nuances. Adhering to simple installation rules, the sidewalk will last a long time.

  1. As in the first case, it is immediately necessary to remove the top layer of soil, level the site and carefully compact the surface. After that, it is necessary to make recesses for the curb and install it, following the sequence described above.
  2. The compacted area must be covered with crushed stone (20-40 mm) and the resulting layer should be carefully compacted. After that, the surface must be poured with concrete (a layer of about 100 mm). Filling is important to do at a slight slope so that water flows.
  3. The concrete surface must be covered with a sand-cement mixture (2–3 cm) and tiles should be installed on it using a rubber mallet. Paving slabs can also be laid on tile adhesive.
  4. It is necessary to pour sand onto the finished site, and use a stiff brush to wipe the seams. After that, the finished paved area must be washed with water to wash off the remnants of the cement-sand mixture.

You can use a new beautiful path or platform only after 2 days. During this time, the solution will harden qualitatively, and the tile will be motionless.

Video: Polymer sand paving slabs

Ecologists have calculated that a third of all garbage on earth is made up of plastic bottles. Today they sell juices, mineral water, beer and other liquid products. Rarely plastic bottles are used a second time. This is a one-time use container, and therefore tons of this useless material accumulate in waste storage facilities. However, in recent decades, recycling has become widespread. plastic bottles in the so-called flex.

This material is a white crumb of plastic, which can be used to make products that are no less useful in everyday life and production activities. A thin fiber is “pulled out” of the flex, which can be used as a bristle for brushes. It can be not only household products, but also cleaning machines for professionals. In the west, they even learned to make paving slabs from this material. In our country, such technologies are still a curiosity. There is practically no competition in the market. A businessman who decides to start his own recycling business will simply organize the reception of pet bottles and the sale of finished products..

Flex production technology

After collecting the bottles, they need to be prepared for recycling. Products are sorted by color: painted and transparent. Containers made of polyvinyl chloride are also selected separately. Bottles are cleaned of paper, stickers, other materials other than plastic.

In the second stage, the material is pressed. In this form, it is fed for further processing to an automated line. Often, mini presses are installed at the points of collection of containers. After such processing, the products become more compact and easier to transport to the place of processing. The stages of technology performed on it can be represented as the following sequence:

How much money do you need to start a plastic recycling business?

Between all stages, the raw material is moved by means of a belt conveyor. Plastic bottle recycling equipment costs approximately $10,000. A small plant will cost $200,000 already. A feature of such equipment is that it can be easily transported to a new place of work. There are even lines that fit into a container. The plant can be made mobile. Such devices, manufactured in Switzerland, cost 160,000 euros today.

Manufacturing technology of paving slabs

As a business option, consider the production of paving slabs from plastic packaging, bottles and other containers. This technology does not provide for such deep cleaning of raw materials as described above. Unnecessary foreign impurities burn out during processing. The only raw material requirement is that the ratio of soft and hard plastics be 40/60, respectively. Soft polymers are polyethylene. It gives the product a slight sheen. Hard plastic serves to ensure durability. This technology is good, which allows you to get rid of almost all PET garbage. It is impossible to add rubber, fluoroplast and polycarbonate to processing.

The second ingredient for making tiles is sand. It must be clean and dry. The quality of the tile depends on the uniformity of mixing of these two components. Processing steps:

To maintain such mini-factories, a large staff of employees is not needed. The biggest investment will require equipment. Given that the business is directly related to security environment, you can try to get a soft loan for its purchase and even enlist government support.

Plastic bottles make up almost a third of all garbage, according to environmentalists. These bottles sell a huge list of drinks, ranging from mineral water to beer or milk. Very rarely, this material is used for recycling, but recently the production of paving slabs from plastic bottles is gaining popularity.

Features of the manufacture of polymer tiles

The main advantage of such building material is its low price

Organizing the manufacture of polymer tiles at home has recently come to the mind of homeowners more and more often. Owners who prefer to do their own arrangement suburban area or the territory adjacent to the house make a lot of efforts to create an original and well-groomed appearance.

The main advantage of this building material is its low price. After all, finding raw materials for products is not difficult. You can organize the production of plastic tiles from waste, because there are a huge number of used plastic bottles around us. In addition, there is no need to purchase expensive equipment for the production of plastic tiles, if we are talking about a small amount of products for home use.

Paving slabs made from plastic bottles are different high level strength. In addition, it can always be easily dismantled and replaced with a new one without serious financial investments. And as a raw material for the manufacture of this building material, only a polymer, sand and a coloring matter will be needed.

What are the features of polymer sand tiles?


In winter, removing snow from the surface of the polymer track is not difficult.

Polymer tile, due to its strength, can be compared with concrete, surpassing it in some parameters. Unlike concrete, it will not crack in the cold. In winter, it will not be difficult to remove snow from the surface of the track, plus everything, an ice crust will not form on this material. And the surface itself perfectly adheres to the sole of the shoe, which will minimize slipping.

Advantages of a track made of polymer materials:

  • high level of strength;
  • abrasion resistance;
  • moisture resistance;
  • withstands low temperatures up to -70C;
  • light weight;
  • chemical resistance;
  • lightness and ease of installation;
  • the possibility of manufacturing in various colors with a variety of surface textures;
  • long service life.

The disadvantages of the material include an increase in size at high temperatures, so when laying it, it is necessary to leave a distance of several millimeters.

Where can the material be used?

Before considering the production of polymer-sand tiles, we will determine the scope of its application. Products can be used:

  • for the construction of paths and the surrounding area in a country or private house;
  • for finishing the floor in a summer cafe or park;
  • in garages and workshops;
  • as a facing material for plinths;
  • for roofing.

The wide scope of application is due to the characteristics.

What equipment is needed?


Extruder for grinding polymer waste

Equipment for the production of polymer sand tiles at home should consist of an extruder, a melter and a molding press.

If it is planned to produce polymer tiles on an industrial scale, then the equipment must also be appropriate. And these are polymer crushers, a thermal screw mixing machine and a molding unit. Accordingly, the price for the purchase of equipment will be high.

Also, the production of polymer sand tiles involves the availability of molds for manufacturing. Molds can be rubber, fiberglass or plastic. The first type is almost never used, since such forms are expensive and have a fairly large weight. In addition, the service life of such molds is short. As for fiberglass, they are suitable for the manufacture of large-sized products. They require pre-lubrication with each use. Plastic molds are the most commonly used. Usually ABS plastic is used. At the same time, the direct production of paving slabs from ABS plastic is not yet provided.

Production technology


Melting mold for the manufacture of polymer tiles

Consider how do-it-yourself polymer sand tiles are made. Organize the manufacture of tiles from plastic bottles should be in well-ventilated areas. You can do it right on the street.

Manufacturing technology is the initial grinding of raw materials. To do this, you need to put plastic bottles into the extruder. In addition to bottles, you can additionally use old broken boxes, etc.

Further, the production of plastic tiles involves pouring the heated and crushed mixture into a melting apparatus, where dyes and moistened sand are added to the plastic. When heated and mixed, a substance is formed that has a viscous consistency. It is this that is distributed into molds where it is pressed. The production of paving slabs from plastic bottles is completed by cooling the finished products.

What will be the ratio of raw materials?


A set of equipment from an extruder and a press for a mold

The production of tiles from plastic bottles involves the following ratio of raw materials used:

  • 75-80% sand;
  • 1% dyes;
  • about 20-24% of plastic products.

The production of sand-polymer tiles from recycled materials does not require pre-cleaning, and sorting is also not required. It is also acceptable to manufacture plastic paving slabs using old bags or plastic wrap, but not more than half of the composition.

What else can you make a tile with your own hands?

In addition to plastic tiles, you can also produce another modern product yourself - rubber tiles. Equipment for the production of rubber tiles will be the same as for polymer products. Waste products are best used as raw materials. car tires. They are crushed into crumbs, dyed with dye and pressed. In the video presented, you can clearly see how plastic tiles are made.

A good alternative to traditional concrete pavers is polymer sand tiles. Due to its high performance, the product easily copes with the tasks assigned to it. Finished elements are distinguished by low weight, high strength and wear resistance, a large selection of colors and shapes. In this regard, many entrepreneurs decide to build their business on the manufacture of this paving. The article will describe polymer sand tiles and its production. We will also describe the manufacture of polymer tiles at home.

Characteristics and advantages of polymer tiles

Polymer sand paving products have the following composition:

  • the main volume (3/4) is occupied by quartz sand;
  • a quarter of the composition is high-pressure plastic;
  • pigments.

Thanks to this composition, the polymer raw material is resistant to external influences and at the same time plastic, which facilitates the molding of the future product. The advantages of this material include the following:

  1. Such pavement tiles will last up to thirty years.
  2. A special production technology makes it possible to produce a product that is resistant to temperature extremes and its limiting indicators (withstands up to minus 70 ° C). Plastic in the composition of the tile increases the moisture resistance of the product. Thanks to the sand components, the pavement is resistant to aggressive liquids and oils. The tile can withstand significant loads.
  3. In the manufacturing process, the product is given the desired color and shape, which guarantees a wide range of products. There is also a choice of surface options (matte, structured, glossy).
  4. Recycling PVC waste (plastic bottles, boxes, bags) solves the problem of their disposal.
  5. Light weight, strength and low abrasion.
  6. Under sunlight, the product does not emit toxic fumes.
  7. Maintainability and easy installation.
  8. The coating does not accumulate dirt and is easy to clean.
  9. Possibility of making at home.
  10. Extensive scope of use (as pavement coatings and areas in private households and in public places).

Material used

The production of polymer tiles requires the following raw materials:

  • used as a binder crushed polymers, they occupy a quarter of the volume (usually polystyrene, polypropylene and LDPE are used);
  • sand acts as the main filler (it accounts for 75% of the total volume), well-sifted medium-sized sand is chosen (it must be washed and heated to high temperatures;
  • inorganic pigments(iron oxide is used to produce red, orange or brown tiles, chromium oxide is used to produce green coatings, titanium dioxide produces white tiles).

In order to reduce the cost of purchasing raw materials, it is practiced to manufacture tiles from plastic bottles and other PVC products, for example, boxes or even films (but in the latter case, no more than half the volume of all polymers). Because the polymer is neutral chemical composition, nitric acid acts as a solvent. To obtain a homogeneous mixture, plastic is melted at a temperature of 180 ° C and high pressure. The melting process is called extrusion.

Necessary equipment

The manufacture of paving slabs from plastic bottles is impossible without the use of special equipment:

  • plastic crushing machine;
  • scales;
  • melting apparatus;
  • Press forms;
  • Press;
  • extruder;
  • listing equipment for the production of polymer sand tiles, it is worth mentioning devices for cooling products;
  • forklifts are needed to move finished products.

For the production of plastic tiles at home, a molding press, a melter and an extruder are enough. If production is established on an industrial scale, then a molding unit, a thermal screw-mixing machine and a polymer crusher cannot be dispensed with.

Important! In the manufacture of tiles for their own needs, a drill with a mixing nozzle is used to mix the components.

Also, for the production of tiles from plastic bottles, you will need molds for pouring the mixture. They are bought online. There are molds made of plastic, rubber and fiberglass. Rubber molds are the most durable (withstand up to 500 cycles), but also expensive. Fiberglass products are suitable for large tiles, but need additional lubrication. The most commonly used molds are made of ABS plastic.

Advice! Don't forget to buy curb stone molds.

Technology for making tiles at home

The production of polymer-sand tiles is carried out in several ways:

  1. Method of hot pressing of a polymer mixture.
  2. Vibrocasting with the use of plasticizers.

Vibrocasting allows to obtain products with low porosity. The method of hot pressing produces tiles with excellent technical and operational characteristics. At the factory, for the production of polymer sand coating, the technology of vibrocasting and hot pressing is used simultaneously.

Tiles for own needs are produced directly on the street or in well-ventilated areas.

The manufacturing sequence is as follows:

  1. Plastic bottles are placed in an extruder for grinding raw materials. Instead of bottles, old plastic boxes are sometimes used.
  2. The heated mixture is then poured into a melter. Moistened sand and dyes are also added there. As a result of mixing and simultaneous heating, a mixture of a viscous consistency is obtained.
  3. This composition is poured into molds and pressed on special equipment.
  4. Finished products are cooled.

Coating technology

Do-it-yourself polymer sand tiles are quite easy to install. Laying is carried out on one of two types of base:

  • rubble;
  • sandy.

When laying on a sandy base, work is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. In the place where the tiles are supposed to be laid, the soil is removed to a height of 150-200 mm.
  2. The soil is leveled and a surface slope is created for the drainage of sedimentary water. The surface is rammed.
  3. On the sides of the path or platform, ditches are made for laying curbstones. The bottom of the ditches is compacted.
  4. Then, sand is poured into the prepared ditches for the curb to a height of 50 mm. The sand is moistened with water and rammed.
  5. Strictly along the line of the curb, pegs are driven into the ground and the cord is pulled.
  6. The bottom of the grooves is poured cement mortar and install curbs.
  7. Strips of geotextile with an overlap of up to 20 cm are laid on the compacted base of the tracks. The edges of the strips are connected with adhesive tape.
  8. Next, sand is poured in several layers, followed by wetting with water. Also, do not forget about tamping each layer.
  9. A reinforcing mesh with a mesh size of 5 by 5 cm is laid on the sand. A dry mixture of sand and cement is backfilled over the mesh (observe the proportion of 3 to 1). The backfill is slightly wetted with water.
  10. Now start laying the tiles. The elements are laid out on the sand at a distance of 3-5 millimeters from each other. Use a rubber mallet for leveling.
  11. Seams between paving elements are filled with sand.

If desired, you can compare with

Recently, paving slabs made from tires or plastic bottles, often created by hand, are positioning as a popular landscape material among owners of private houses, summer cottages.

Although, despite the "home-made" nature, tiles are increasingly being used specifically for arranging various public facilities, for example, squares, sports grounds, parks, and pedestrian crossings. The owners of private objects themselves, with no less success, make original tiles for laying the floor in the garage, gazebo.

If you have a huge land plot on which a tennis court is located, or a basketball court, you should immediately develop a plan for laying this surface with your own hands with an original, unlike anything material.

Advantages and specifics of the material used

The main advantages that distinguish the tile material, created by hand from improvised materials (tires, plastic bottles), include the following:



Production of coating from used car tires

New pavement from old tires

The production of material and laying it with your own hands provides for the following:

Production and installation of plastic structures, bottles

Paving slabs from plastic waste

You can also consider the production of tiles from plastic bottles with your own hands, which is simple and affordable. In particular, there are several key features, they should be taken into account:

The main advantages of plastic products


Plastic bottles are distinguished by their compliance with all environmental requirements and standards, positioning them as a clean product. During operation, carcinogens do not affect the human body, thereby becoming a completely safe product in all respects.

The eventually created coating is able to withstand many hours of stress, as well as environmental influences, such as freezing, while properties are not lost over time. In addition, the surface is non-slip, guaranteeing an excellent combination with shoes.

And finally, it is impossible not to answer the maintainability of the structure, because a damaged element can be easily replaced with a new one, without spending too much time and effort. As with rubber, plastic bottles are affordable and beneficial to the owner, and have all the relevant strength characteristics.

Video: Rubber crumb coatings

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