Paving company
What is paving?
Paving is an outdoor floor or surface area, that is robust and durable.
Paving materials include asphalt/tarmac, concrete and concrete blocks, stones such as flagstone, cobblestone, sandstone, setts, bricks, ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Each material is more popular than others depending on its usage. For example, driveways tend to use materials such as tarmac, concrete, concrete blocks & cobblestones. Patio's on the other hand tend to use other materials like, slabs, flagstone & tiles.
What is a patio?
A patio is an outdoor area that is usually adjacent to or adjoins a structure, typically being a household or a type of property.
The patio area is generally used for outside dining or recreation, where friends and family can gather in the warmer months.
Patios are most commonly paved with concrete or stone slabs. They can also be created using bricks, block paving, tiles, cobbles or gravel.
Below we will look at just some of the materials and styles on offer that, we can supply and install for you. Should you have any other enquires, don't hesitate to contact us
Block Paving
Block paving is a brick-like piece of concrete commonly used as exterior flooring like patio's and also is a very popular choice when installing driveways and pathways.
Block pavers are made by pouring a mixture of concrete and a colouring agent into a mould allowing to set.
When installing, the blocks are placed on top of a foundation or sub base which is made of layers of compacted stone and sand (which slightly differs to that of a patio). It is also possible to lay blocks on tops of a sub base that is made up of material that has no fine parts in. What this means is, when compacted it still allows water to pass through freely through to the sub soil. This method is known as permeable paving.
The pavers are placed in the desired pattern (45 & 90 degree herringbone or stretcher bond) and the space between pavers is then filled with a polymeric/kiln dried sand. No adhesive or bonding mortar is used to hold the block in place other than the weight of the paver itself. Bonding mortar is only used in the whole process when fitting the concrete edge restraints.
Cobblestone Paving
Cobblestone is a natural stone material and is traditionally used on pavements, roads, streets, and buildings.
Often referred to as 'cobble setts', what makes these differ from setts are that setts are uniformed quarried and shaped into a regular form. Where as cobblestones are a naturally occurring material which forms in less uniform size.
Cobblestones are typically bound together with mortar on top of a compacted sub base and allows a road or path to be heavily used all year round.
Traditionally the cobblestone was designed to be used on roads for easier traction on the horses hooves, these days with the use of cars, cobblestone is now very much used as a decorative stone.
Flagstone Paving
Flagstone is a type of sedimentary rock. It is commonly used as a paving material for outdoor surfaces such as patios, walkways, and driveways.
Concrete flagstone is a man-made product that is designed to look like natural flagstone. It is made by pouring concrete into moulds that are shaped like flagstone, and then colouring and texturing the surface on the flagstone to resemble natural stone.
There are many different colours and styles of flagstone. The natural stones are less uniform to the man made option and so the sizing will vary. Where as the concrete flagstones are generally available in sizes, 450x450mm and 600x600mm.
Sandstone Paving
Sandstone paving is a type of paving stone that is made from sandstone, a sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized grains of mineral, rock, or organic material. It is cut, split, or sawn into paving slabs.
Sandstone paving is a popular choice for outdoor areas such as patios, pathways, and gardens due to its unique blend of colours, natural appeal, and durability.
Sandstone paving slabs come in various colours, finishes, and surface textures, such as natural riven or antique, and can be used to transform any garden landscape.
Porcelain Paving
Porcelain paving is made from highly compressed clay tiles that are printed with a high resolution image to look like natural stone and in some cases wood. They are then fired at an extremely high temperature, which makes the slab very tough, with little to no water absorption.
Porcelain is a low maintenance paving solution that is resistance to stains, frost and prevents moss and algae growth more successfully compared to natural stone.
Available in a wide range of colours, styles and sizes, it is becoming an ever more popular choice for paving in a clients garden design.
Setts Paving
A sett is a rectangular or square quarried natural stone traditionally used in roads and walkways.
They are used predominantly today as decorative stone paving in landscaping design. Along with being used for roads and paths, they have become very popular in landscape garden designs.
Garden designers often use them as edging around a garden, drive way or patio, to give a definitive border which is pleasing on the eye. When being used on driveways, they are a great alternative to use as an edge restraint instead of the plain concrete edge restraints. They look more appealing and also provide the same purpose, for example; Installed around the edge of a gravel driveway to hold the gravel in.
Types of natural stone setts are made of are, sandstone, granite, limestone, basalt and York stone.