How to choose paving slabs: the pros and cons of paving stones. Advantages of paving slabs Forms of paving slabs

When wondering which paving slabs are better, it is advisable to trust the professionals. How to choose the right tile? You should contact a specialized company in the catalog of which a wide range of products is presented.

Features of paving slabs

Paving slabs are a material intended for ennoblement of various territories. Its main task is landscape design and giving an attractive appearance to different areas.

Many are wondering how to choose paving slabs for a summer residence or for any other area. The most important thing that consumers usually pay attention to is the external features of the material. It is also necessary to take into account the performance characteristics of paving slabs when choosing, since it must withstand heavy loads, the impact of negative external factors and serve as long as possible.

Types of paving slabs

If you ask yourself what kind of paving slabs are, then we can distinguish several types of this material:

• Cement-sand. The most economical tile option, which is very popular due to the fact that moisture does not linger on the surface.
• Vibrocast. In the process of tile production, plastic compositions are used. It has a special appearance, which is similar to brick or wood flooring. Basically, such tiles are used for paving paths in garden plots and adjacent areas of country houses.
• Vibropressed. It is made from a concrete mixture, which is poured into molds subjected to pressure with vibration. This tile has a strict shape and a rough surface. The material is most often used for paving paths in public places.
• Granite. Such a tile made of natural stone easily tolerates temperature changes and has a long service life.
• Rubber. A relatively new material, which is made on the basis of crumb rubber. Such a tile has softness and high elasticity. The material is most often used for installation on playgrounds, footpaths and other areas that are subject to increased safety requirements.

The choice of material depends on where it will be installed and how actively the tile will be used. The material is usually chosen for its intended purpose. For example, if cars will drive on the tile, then preference should be given to products that are produced by the vibropress method, since they can withstand heavy loads and have a long service life.

Advantages of paving slabs

The material has such positive features:

• excellent appearance in comparison with other types of coatings used in the open air;
• strength, reliability and durability - artificial material lasts at least 30 years, and the service life of natural stone products can be more than a hundred years;
• tiles are made from absolutely environmentally friendly and harmless materials;
• products perfectly tolerate low and high temperatures;
• elementary care and ease of cleaning from pollution;
• paving slabs are easy to transport and install;
• the possibility of creating many styling options, thanks to a large selection of shapes, sizes and colors;
• if necessary, the material can be removed to be reused.

Many people wonder how to choose paving slabs for a car. The main feature that it should have is high strength and withstand heavy loads. Also, the tiles should be laid on a concrete base using all the necessary standards. Only in this way can the material withstand the heavy weight of the vehicle.

Disadvantages of paving slabs

Any material has its drawbacks. Paving slabs have the following negative features:

• extraction and processing of material is a rather long and laborious process;
• in order for the tile to serve for many years, you need to competently and efficiently organize drainage;
• uneven drawdown with improper installation;
• the design of the tracks has a rather high noise level and is not always convenient when driving.

Paving slabs, with all their advantages, have some disadvantages, but for many they are insignificant, since the attractive appearance and durability of the material cover all the disadvantages.

Choice of tile thickness

Both the visual component of the coating and how well the material will lie on the selected area depend on the thickness of the paving slabs. This parameter defines a specific area of ​​use and is the main performance indicator that determines the choice. The following types of tiles are distinguished by thickness:

• Pedestrian. Thickness about 30 mm. Such tiles are intended for paving garden paths, sidewalks, house adjoining areas and other areas.
• Universal. Thickness - 50-60 mm. Designed for laying paths, parks and other recreation areas.
• Monolithic. Thickness - 70-80 mm or more. Designed for parking lots, alleys for trucks, and for other areas with heavy loads.

The thickness of the tile affects its cost. The most budgetary is pedestrian, and the most expensive is monolithic.

Forms of paving slabs

Paving slabs vary in shape. There are several varieties:

• pavers,
• honeycomb,
• gzhelka,
• Clover,
• flower,
• parquet,
• wave and others.

A wide range of shapes and colors allows you to create unique material compositions. The number of styling options is limitless. You can come up with your own composition or seek help from professional designers.

Secrets of a successful purchase of paving slabs

How to choose the right paving slabs? It is necessary to pay attention to such features:

• Color. Too bright a shade indicates that there is a lot of pigment in the material, which leads to a decrease in the strength of the tile.
• Structure. If you break the tile, then the scrap of high-quality material should be evenly colored, without cracks, voids and chips.
• Surface. The surface of paving slabs should not have bubbles and cracks.
• Strength. The tile must have high strength, because then it will last as long as possible, even under heavy loads.
• Specifications. When choosing a tile, you should ask about the availability of laboratory tests for products.
• Moisture resistance. The tile is designed for laying outdoors, so it can withstand exposure to moisture. You should choose a material with a high level of moisture resistance.
• Resistant to temperature extremes. The material must have maximum resistance to heat and frost.
• Abrasion resistance. The tile must be covered with a special composition on all sides so that it does not deteriorate from mechanical stress.
• surface feature. Glossy tiles have a more attractive appearance than matte ones, but the second material is more reliable and lasts longer.
• Price. High-quality goods are produced on expensive equipment in compliance with technological processes. That is why the material cannot be too cheap.

Thus, paving slabs should have the following basic properties:

• thickness required for certain tasks;
• optimal dimensions;
• frost resistance;
• high quality production;
• durability.

When purchasing paving slabs, it is imperative to calculate how much it will be needed, since getting it can be a problem, since tiles from different batches may differ in size and shade.

If you are wondering which paving slabs to choose for the yard or for any other area, it is better to trust the experts in resolving this issue. It is advisable to ask for a quality certificate, which reliable companies provide without hesitation.

High quality at a favorable price is sold by a specialized company that works with the largest factories on special terms, thanks to which customers significantly save on the purchase of decorative material. To, it is enough to contact the managers.

The advantages of paving slabs have long become obvious to many. That is why paving slabs are used in many cities on the streets.

It decorates squares and park paths, access roads to organizations, squares and small areas. No less often, paving slabs are used in private construction, when it is necessary to pave paths in a country house or in a country house. Many owners are so accustomed to attractive and modern tile on the paths that they would never trade it for a more modern or more expensive material.

The popularity of paving slabs is easy to explain - this material is practical and inexpensive. On our pavements, such tiles are often in a deplorable state, but this is the result of the activities of those people who buy the cheapest models, and the need for road repairs is rarely thought of.

If you choose the right material, then you can purchase products that will last a long time.

Benefits of paving slabs for the home

You can talk about the advantages of the material indefinitely. But is paving slabs as versatile as construction shop consultants describe it? First, let's discuss the positive aspects that any professionally cast paving slabs should have.

• There will be no puddles on it, all the water will go into the seams, the road will dry as quickly as possible after the rain, and ice will not form in winter.
• Environmental friendliness at a high level. The tile will not be affected by heat, it will never emit harmful fumes.
• Reliability. If you choose a material from a trusted manufacturer, then it can last more than 15 years and withstand huge loads (up to six hundred kilograms per square centimeter)
• Impressive appearance. The range offers tiles of all colors and shapes, the designer will be able to find an option that allows you to achieve harmony.
• Easy repair. This is not asphalt, here you can easily replace a damaged element.

Due to the fact that there are a lot of color and shape options for tiles, you can create a unique pattern on your tracks. Laying masters create real masterpieces, which, moreover, serve for a long time without changing their original qualities and properties.

How to make a choice?

How to find good material? If you need really high-quality paving slabs, then you should look at ltsr.ru/vibropress/trotuarnaya_plitka/. When choosing such a material, we recommend paying attention to several nuances.

To find out how high-quality a product is offered, you need to simply knock on it. If the material rings, then the manufacturer is conscientious. Deaf sounds indicate the opposite - a lot of water was added at one of the stages of creation, and this negatively affected the strength.

Be sure to take into account the cost - you should not buy tiles that are too cheap to save money. Be careful when buying saturated colors. This material contains expensive pigments, but some manufacturers add low-quality dyes instead. Such a product cannot resist the effects of water, it will soon fade and crack.

We recommend that you inspect the tile before purchasing - there should be no cracks or chips. Be sure to look at the reverse side, where there may be yellowish spots that indicate the presence of clayey sand in the product.

After reading this article, you will see how the advantages of paving slabs prevail over its shortcomings. And the video materials at the end of the article are additional confirmation of what has been said.

The advantages of paving slabs or, as it is also called, paving stones over most other coatings are very numerous. It is easy to distinguish them based on the following aspects:

• Excellent physical characteristics.
• Insignificant surmountable shortcomings.
• Attractive feature.
• Wide range of applications.

It's all about strength

Determining the advantages of paving slabs, we must not forget about the methods of its manufacture. If earlier it was made from pressed concrete, now, in addition to this material, various plasticizers, clay, stone chips, and dyes are added. All this ensures that the products maintain sufficient strength even under strong mechanical loads.

And at the mention of the excellent physical properties that the material acquires during the manufacturing process, advantages of paving slabs only increase. So, products obtained by casting can withstand up to 200 freeze-thaw cycles; products that are manufactured by vibrocompression - up to 300 cycles.

Cast paving slabs have a water absorption of only 5% of the total volume of water falling on it. Its service life at maximum loads is 10 years. The vibropressed paving slabs keep durability, do not fade for 25 years. Practically does not absorb moisture.

There is also a kind of paving stone blocks - products made of natural stone (marble, granite). Paved paths made of such material practically do not wear out. In terms of strength, it exceeds concrete of the highest grade. The stone does not lose strength when exposed to acids, alkalis, which are contained in precipitation. It does not fade in the sun, does not darken and does not rot in a humid environment. The coating lasts up to 100 years. Only here the prices bite.

Cons of paving slabs from the point of view of physical characteristics, they can only be present if it is made in an artisanal way. Owners of private estates often purchase such products, attracted by a low price - but this is the only advantage of homemade paving slabs.

Unknown components, violation of manufacturing technology, imperfect pressing equipment - necessarily affects the quality and physical properties of the tile. It begins to break down shortly after installation, unable to withstand the weight of pedestrians, strongly absorbs moisture. It is very easy to distinguish handicraft products from industrial ones. To do this, lightly tap the tile on the tile. If the product is of high quality, a slight ringing will be heard.

In outline

People who doubt are always wondering how the pros and cons of paving slabs outweigh each other. Let's figure it out.

The advantages of paving slabs are as follows:

• always available for general sale;
• varied in color and shape;
• does not retain moisture;
• withstands severe frosts;
• does not overheat in the heat;
• environmentally friendly;
• easy and quick to install;
• easy care.

Cons of paving slabs:

• ice forms on the surface in winter;
• absorbs moisture, which, with a sharp decrease in air temperature, causes the destruction of the structure of products from the inside;
• with dishonest laying between the tiles, grass sprouts, which also destroys their integrity;
• with improper paving, the path to the garage soon begins to sag under the pressure of the wheels of the vehicle.

If we compare

The advantages of paving slabs are obvious when compared with other coatings. Unlike concrete, pebble, asphalt paths, sidewalk paving stones:

• Has an aesthetic look. The garden and adjacent green areas are perceived as neat and well-groomed.
• Thanks to the ability to combine various color and figured elements, the coating is an adornment of the garden landscape.
• Allows you to pave small areas for arranging leisure and recreation of various configurations. Yes, and the paths on the site can be given an interesting shape with the help of tiles.
• When heated, the product does not change shape, retains a solid structure. But it does not fade in direct sunlight. Does not crack during prolonged use.
• After heavy rain, puddles do not form on the coating. Water seeps into the soil through the gaps between the tiles. Due to the dry layer under the tiles, moss does not grow in the gaps.
• Too narrow gaps between the pavers ensure the cleanliness of the entire coating after a heavy downpour. The earth is not smeared on its surface.
• The tile over time does not emit toxic substances, fumes, as it consists of natural materials.
• If it is necessary to conduct or repair communications under the paving slab coating, it can be quickly and easily removed. After repair work, the tile is just as easy to install again.

Right place

The numerous advantages of paving slabs over other coatings created a big boom around this material among the owners of private houses and country estates. Nowadays, paving stones pave paths in the garden, yards, playgrounds in front of gazebos and playgrounds. Some homeowners lay tiles around the perimeter of the walls of the foundation, basement. It is here that the shortcomings of paving slabs are fully manifested.

After seasonal rains, all the moisture goes through the gaps between the tiles into the sand and gravel "pillow", on which it rests, and stagnates there. As a result, the foundation, the basement, gradually begins to dampen and collapse. To prevent this from happening, instead of tiles, it is better to fill the places adjacent to the house with high-quality concrete. It does not absorb moisture; streams of water flow down from its surface to a safe distance from the house.

Significant shortcomings of paving slabs are also revealed when laying it in the yard. The coating, except for moisture, absorbs all liquids, including gasoline. In hot weather, when the tile heats up, liquids begin to evaporate from the "cushion". As a result, there is such amber in the yard that it is difficult to breathe. The situation is even more aggravated if a dog lives on a tiled floor in a booth. In hot weather, the air in the yard is filled with the smell of animal feces.

If a parking lot is immediately equipped for a car, paving slabs, which have previously absorbed drops of gasoline and exhaust gases, begin to exude toxic carcinogenic vapors when heated.

Paving stone, although it has a high density, is a hygroscopic material. Therefore, it is worth laying it out in environmentally friendly places: gardens, parks, recreation areas. Being a natural material, paving stones, in the absence of unpleasantly smelling liquids, do not exude harmful fumes. This is indeed a very beautiful coating that can decorate any landscape.

Now you know all the advantages of paving slabs, and you can choose products for your site. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for this. Beautiful colored paths, a paved tennis court will be an interesting design solution for the garden landscape.

We understand the differences between such, similar at first glance, materials as paving stones and paving slabs. We compare how paving stones and paving slabs are laid, and which of the materials is better to choose in each case. After you learn about all the advantages and disadvantages of tiles and paving stones, you can make a rational choice and make the territory of your backyard not only comfortable, but also very beautiful.

Hardened clinker pavers

Cubes of paving stones

Paving stone is a small stone cut stone. It is intended for paving roads, adjacent territories, courtyards of private buildings. It differs from paving slabs in the same thickness, length and width.

The main material configurations are cubes and bricks. At the heart of paving stones is solid rock. It could be:

The structure of these stones allows paving stones to withstand severe loads over the years. Over time, the stone is polished and looks even more interesting than immediately after laying.

A little earlier, when making paving stones, the stones were split into fragments of approximately equal size and then they were used to lay a pavement on the road. This manufacturing option was called chipped. Such a surface does not differ in perfect evenness, however, it looks quite interesting. It is this paving stone that attracts the attention of tourists visiting ancient European cities.

Chipped paving stones on the streets of ancient cities

Now sawn stone is mainly used. This technology allows you to give all the bars almost the same size. Due to the fact that all sides of the stone bars are processed, the material is called full-sawn. Laying such paving stones is simpler, and walking on a flat sidewalk or path is much more convenient. Now it is quite popular, despite the high cost.

Smooth full-sawn paving stone

The third variant of paving stones is chipped-sawn. Its production takes place in two stages:

The stone blank is sawn into pieces of approximately the same thickness.

The sawn pieces are split to create paving stones of the same size.

The sidewalk path laid out in a combined way, combining chipped-sawn and full-sawn paving stones, looks especially advantageous.

Sidewalks and paths look very advantageous, where full-sawn and chipped-sawn paving stones are successfully combined.

Clinker pavers began to be made in Germany in the 19th century. Bars of the same shape and size were made from natural shale clay, which were subsequently fired in industrial kilns at high temperatures. The consistency of such production has led to an increase in its volume. 150 years of operation for this type of paving stones is not the limit.

Сfigcaptionbelt production allows to produce an alternative type of paving stones - concrete. True, it is not entirely correct to call such material that way. In addition to concrete, it contains numerous polymer additives that provide it with:

wear resistance

Immunity to aggressive external environment

Can be dyed in almost any color

Such pavement creates great opportunities for the flight of designer imagination. The ability to manufacture paving stones of any shape provides the master with the opportunity to round off paths, transitions and curved sections without any problems. In this case, laborious pruning is not required.

Option for beautiful laying paving stones

Advantages

Many people prefer paving stones due to its obvious advantages, such as:

Reliability and strength - these indicators far exceed the properties of concrete or asphalt

Longevity - paved area will look great even after 300 years

The presence of a sand cushion - drainage does not allow water to linger on the surface

Withstands heavy loads

Excellent aesthetic properties

disadvantages

The disadvantages of paving stones include:

high cost

The need for careful adherence to laying technology

Noise from coating

Inconvenience of movement for owners of heels - stilettos

Wet cobblestones are very slippery

Bright colors paving slabs

The popularity of paving slabs is largely justified by the variety of its shapes and color shades. It is somewhat thinner than its "big sister" - paving stones. But, it compares favorably with its elegance.

Entrance steps from paving slabs

The material is obtained artificially by pouring molds with concrete or firing a clay composition. Thus, the resulting material is divided into two types:

concrete tiles

Clinker tiles

Given the more complex manufacturing, the second option is somewhat more expensive.

On our website you can get acquainted with the most popular - from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Advantages

The main advantage of paving slabs is its chic aesthetic qualities. The material can be selected according to the color of the surrounding buildings. In addition, it is not difficult to lay out unique drawings or geometric patterns on the sidewalks or paths.

Figured laying of paving slabs

Other obvious benefits include:

Simple masonry

Resistance to the influence of an aggressive environment

Possibility to replace individual tiles

Convenience for pedestrian traffic

Low material cost

disadvantages

The disadvantages of paving slabs include only its shorter service life compared to paving stones.

Having become acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of both materials, you can proceed to the choice of the one that is optimal for you and its installation. After carefully reading the instructions, you can lay both paving stones and paving slabs on your own. True, the technology of laying paving stones is more complex and requires at least minimal skills in construction work.

We lay the paving stones ourselves

Excellent decorative and functional qualities of paving stones allow you to create an individual design of your backyard. The most justified, can be considered the laying of paving stones in the following areas:

Garden paths - paving stones look especially impressive near swings, sculptures, garden benches, arbors, pools or alpine slides on the site.

For framing flower beds located in the middle of the lawn.

For finishing landscape garden stairs in areas with difficult terrain.

To decorate the front of the house, garage or any other visible area where the hard surface is replaced by paving stones to achieve a great visual effect.

Paving area calculation

Before starting to calculate the paving area, you need to draw a site plan, marking on it the places where it is planned to lay the paving stones. There are 2 ways to do this:

The plan is drawn on A3 millimeter paper, in a scale convenient for you. It marks the areas where the paving stones will be and their area is calculated. If the shape of the plots is complex, they are divided into simpler fragments or the total area is calculated by counting the filled squares.

To calculate the required area, you can use free programs from the Internet: 3D Home Architect Design Suite Delux, Garden Planner, SketchUp.

How paving stones are laid out

Numerous paving options are now available. However, if you are not a specialist, you need to choose simpler schemes. As an example, consider the following examples:

"Seam to seam" - paving stones are laid out with full coincidence of seams

On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that offer services of any complexity. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

In a run- the seam of each square-shaped tile lies in the middle to the width of the next one. In a wave run - the seams of the next tiles in a horizontal row are offset by a quarter of their width. After passing three rows in one direction, you should change the direction of the offset.

Laying paving stones "wave".

Run diagonally- all seams are displaced in one direction by a quarter of the width of the tile. Paving stones can be laid out parallel to the edges of the path, and with an inclination of 45 ° to them.

Herringbone - this layout is compared with the layout of piece parquet.

Network- blocks of two tiles are laid out in directions perpendicular to each other.

Dutch - in one row they lay out tiles 100 * 100 mm, and in the other they alternate 100 * 100 mm with 100 * 200 mm. The seams are "bandaged" as in the figure.

Well - around each square tile, rectangular ones are laid out.

Stages of work

These are the easiest ways to lay paving stones. Once you have decided on which one suits you best, you can proceed to styling. It is carried out in several stages:

Mark the laying area with wooden pegs and cords. Do not forget to take into account the slope of the water flow and the height (so that later the paving stones do not interfere with opening the door of the house or garage).

Choose the soil to the depth of the paving stones and level the surface (in most cases it is 30-35 cm).

Lay out a 15 cm layer of crushed stone and lay the geotextile in an even layer.

Lay out a 10 cm layer of sand.

The mixture on which the paving stones will be laid out. As an option, you can use a slurry of sand and cement 3:1. Layer about 3 cm.

Each laid out layer is carefully rammed, it is advisable to use a vibropress.

Lay the paving stones.

Fill the formed seams with fine sand.

Wet the surface.

It is possible to exploit the laid out stone blocks already in a day after laying.

Paving slabs in the backyard

Paving paving slabs suburban area has recently become increasingly popular. This is facilitated by the lower cost of the material compared to paving stones and the special arrangement of paving slabs, which makes it easier to work with it.

Initially, you need to decide on diagrams, patterns and drawings, this will allow you to visualize the project, and correctly calculate the necessary material. Here you need to consider the shape of the tile and the desired layout design. For novice craftsmen, it is best to choose standard paving slabs 100x200 mm, which allows you to perform almost any laying of material.

Circuit options

Traditional paving slabs are made with geometric patterns, how many colors of tiles to use and how exactly to combine them depends solely on personal preferences. Rhombuses or squares, circles or checkerboard, honeycomb or maple leaf - there are many options.

Suitable for beginners and the option of chaotic styling in an artistic mess. Here you can play with the color and size of paving slabs.

Artistic options for laying tiles are more complex and it will be difficult for a person ignorant of this matter to cope with them.

Preparation of the necessary materials

In order for the paving slabs laying which you have to not only look great, but also last for many years, you must follow all the stages of the work:

Prepare all materials and tools: sand, cement, tile, border, nylon thread, wooden pegs, vibropress, broom, trowel.

Make tile markings. Here you need to determine the boundaries of the contours of the track and mark them with a nylon thread stretched over pegs. The work is done with a level.

Remove the top layer of sod land, level the surface, pour it with water and compact it well with a vibropress. If stones or roots of plants come under the hands, they must be removed. If you leave the ground, the path will come out slightly higher than the rest of the site, which can lead to its washing away by melt or rainwater.

The treated surface is covered with a bearing layer of drainage. It can be gravel or rubble. The layer height is about 15-20 cm. Under the gravel and geotextiles can be laid out on top of it. This will prevent the pillow from being washed away by water.

To level the base pour a two-centimeter layer of sand on the rubble.

Laying tiles is done on a flat prepared surface.

curb laying

First of all, you need to install the curbstone on a previously leveled base. To make the strength higher, the curb can be laid out on a concrete base. Based on your preferences, you can lay out the border on the same level with the tiles or make it a couple of centimeters higher.

Important! Do not lay paving slabs during rain or immediately after it. The laid pillow must be dry, otherwise the tile will “disperse” over time. Also pay attention to the base. It can be perfectly even, and the covered sand should not contain clay and other impurities.

Choose the best option, and feel free to start paving paving slabs. The most common types are:

Classical- slightly rounded tiles measuring 11.5 * 11.5 cm. You can lay out interesting drawings from them, and, if necessary, make smooth bends of garden paths.

paving stones- a kind of classic. Most often used to highlight a drawing. Independently laid out "herringbone" and brickwork.

Parquet installation– ideal for traditional geometric patterns. Visually increases the space, often used for framing.

Wave– adjacent elements are connected by a key connection without displacement.

Having chosen the desired option and laid out the tiles, you should fill all the seams with sand and again walk along the paving slabs with a vibropress. After that, it is recommended not to give too much load on the newly laid paving slabs for 3 days (for example, do not drive on it with a car).

Scheme for laying paving slabs "brick"

As a variant of the example, let's consider this scheme in more detail. Laying it out in a herringbone pattern, all elements are placed at an angle of 90 degrees to each other, while the picture is oriented along the movement.

If you lay out the same tile with an offset of 1 cm, you get a "dressing". By laying out half of the brick in the center and placing four whole elements around, you will get a "well" pattern. Paired elements of two colors form a "checkerboard". And a pair of tiles located at an angle of 90 ° is called a “block”. A variety of laying paving slabs "brick" opens up great opportunities for a flight of fancy, to make individual drawings and ornaments.

Video description

A simple brick tile can make your walkway a masterpiece. See examples in the video:

Luminous Pavement Tile

If you consider yourself to be extravagant people and love creativity in everything, you will undoubtedly be interested in luminous paving material, the so-called love concrete. The time of its glow in the dark is 8-10 hours. On sunny days, it is “charged” with the energy of sunlight (electric lighting is also suitable for this) and after dark it begins to glow.

Such material will turn your site into an unusual exclusive corner, which will be admired by all the guests of your home. Such a tile resembles a lunar path, which everyone would like to walk along. The material produces the greatest effect in the first hours after dark.

Video description

About the luminous tiles in the video:

Paving stones or tiles on private property

Paving stones or tiles in the courtyard of a private house are an almost indispensable element of landscape design. And here, again, it all depends on personal preferences. You can cover the entire yard with tiles, leaving no space for green space. Or, on the contrary, you can successfully combine flower beds, a lawn and paths paved with paving stones or tiles. This can be a path to the central and back entrances, a garage or outbuildings. In any case, tiles in a private yard are a must.

Such laying will allow you to walk on clean tiles in inclement weather and not bring dirt from the street into the house. For the same reasons, laying tiles in the country is indispensable.

Video description

Additionally, you can see how paving slabs fit in the video

Video description

The process of laying paving stones is well described in the following video:

Do it yourself or professional services

Despite the fact that you already know how paving slabs are laid, this does not mean that you can handle the work yourself. In any case, independent work will not only take your personal time, but also leave the risk that you will not be able to complete the work at the level of professionals.

Landscaping with high-quality paved paving slabs will visually expand the space of the land plot and make your yard pleasant for both owners and guests. Just tell the masters what kind of layout of paving slabs or paving stones you are interested in, and calmly go about your business, and let the professionals do the laying of the tiles.

It is impossible to say exactly when natural stone was first used for paving roads, but archaeologists discover the fact of the use of paving stones for arranging driveways during excavations of very ancient civilizations that existed 7,500 or more years ago.

With the advent of asphalt and concrete roads, they were practically forgotten, rolling up obsolete pavements under new modern coatings. But now this material, unique in its characteristics, is gaining popularity again. And the point here is not only in a fashion trend, but also in exceptional strength natural stone. However, paving can be done with both granite and artificial counterparts.

Varieties of paving stones

To date, there are three main varieties of paving stones, which are made from:

• natural stone
• concrete
• baked clay (clinker)

The most durable, almost eternal and most suitable for Belarus is considered granite paving stones, because it is not subject to wear and has a minimum coefficient of hygroscopicity. That is, such a coating does not absorb moisture, therefore, it does not collapse during freezing and thawing.

concrete pavers, most often called paving slabs, is made by vibration casting. It is practically not inferior in strength to varieties from natural rocks, but it absorbs moisture, so it can crack and crumble over time.

Clinker pavers, in fact, which is a burnt brick, is also characterized by a high degree of strength and durability.

Now let's look at the pros and cons of each type in more detail.

Paving stones from granite

Among benefits natural stone for paving roads and sidewalks can be noted:

• The complete absence of chemical compounds and dyes, therefore, when heated, toxic substances are not released, and the natural color does not fade and does not lose its original saturation.
• , thanks to which aesthetic decorative patterns are created by alternating elements that differ in color.

• Weather resistant. Rain, snow, frost or heat leave no trace.
• Quick drying after rain and no puddles, as granite does not absorb moisture, and all the water goes between the seams into the ground.
• Different texture of the surface, which can be full-sawn, chipped or sawn-split.

disadvantages stone paving stones also have.

• Difficulty in laying chipped elements, which significantly increases the cost of installation work. In addition, it is not very convenient to walk on such a surface, so this type is mainly used for arranging carriageways.

• The sawn surface becomes slippery when wet, so you need to buy paving stones that have passed the bush hammering procedure, which gives the necessary anti-slip roughness.

concrete pavers

pros artificial pavement of rectangular concrete elements look like this:

• More affordable cost.
• Attractive appearance and a wide variety of colors.

• Relative strength and abrasion resistance.

TO cons This type of coverage can include:

• fragility. Due to the porosity of the structure, concrete is quickly saturated with moisture, and due to a change in temperature regimes, it begins to collapse. The average operational period of concrete pavers is 7 years, after which it almost completely loses its aesthetics and needs to be replaced.
• Inexpensive products are not painted in mass, but only superficially, so the color is quickly wiped off or faded under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
• If the base is not strong enough, this paving stone can burst under excessively large loads.

Thus, this variety is best used for arranging footpaths or laying on a solid concrete base, which will provide additional strength.

Clinker pavers

Clinker is an artificial stone. To his benefits can be attributed:

• High strength.
• Low water absorption.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Uniform distribution of a color shade in weight.

TO shortcomings applies to:

• Fairly high cost.
• Limited color range.
• Unnatural appearance.

Output

Of course, every homeowner has the right to decide for himself what type of paving stones to choose. Both individual preferences and harmonious combination with the surrounding architectural ensemble play an important role here. Of course, granite paving stones are the most versatile in this regard, but they do not always fit a certain stylistic design. Therefore, it is very difficult to unequivocally advise which option to choose.

Popular stones

Featured Items