Natural stone paving blocks - creative and versatile
Natural stone paving blocks - creative and versatile
Whether car park, paths or terrace - paving stones made of natural stone offer versatile and extremely creative design options. They are suitable for both large and small areas and are available in a wide range of colours, sizes and stone types. The different laying methods and patterns of the paving stone, e.g. in a round arch or with different sized stones, give a unique look and open up a wide range of choices from traditional to modern. However, before buying as well as laying natural stone, you should consider a few things and get good advice.
Natural stone - durable and robust
First and foremost, the focus is on the future use of the natural stone. Should the surface be accessible by car, or merely serve as a walking surface or decorative element in the garden? Among other things, this determines not only the choice of stone size or material, but also the design of the sub-base. For example, areas that can be driven on require a deeper bed than areas that are only used for a footpath or terrace. In addition, the natural stone chosen should be robust, weather-resistant and frost-proof so that the paved paths and driveways or parking areas are maintained for a long time and remain visually appealing. The natural stone types limestone, sandstone, but also travertine, gneiss and granite are particularly suitable for use as paving stones. These natural stones are not only considered to be extremely resistant to moisture and frost, but also bring with them their very own characteristics in terms of colouring and processing. Limestone tends to be light in colour and, depending on the processing, radiates a timeless elegance and a Mediterranean ambience. Sandstone, on the other hand, is available in many shades from dark grey to light grey to beige and ochre. This allows for very creative pattern design from the different shades of the same material. The natural stone travertine is a very original-looking stone that is particularly popular for the design of terraces and paths. In this area, gneiss and granite are probably among the most resistant materials of all. They are characterised by high resilience and frost resistance and are available in many colours. In order to properly inform yourself about the multitude of possibilities, we recommend a visit to our stone centre. Experience the different materials and their processing in daylight and on larger surfaces. We also show many sample variants for paving stones in our exhibition. In addition, our professionals will of course offer you comprehensive and competent advice.
"This stone has grown like this over millions of years; it's an uplifting feeling" is how Alexander Nowak describes his thoughts on the outdoor area of his house, which is made of natural stone. And indeed, the stone combination around his Mediterranean villa blends together wonderfully. Three different types of natural stone are used here. For the walkways, the builder chose paving cubes made of Brazilian quartz stone, which is characterised by warm ochre tones, was tumbled after splitting and thus received its smooth surface. It is suitable for combination with Mediterranean or classical architecture.
The Nowak family designed the terrace and pool area with cream-coloured limestone. This stone looks like the sand of the Caribbean due to its warm cream tones. In addition, the stone has a marbled surface and thus creates a natural colouring. For the pool area, the non-slip sandblasted limestone was best suited. In the covered terrace area, on the other hand, the same stone was laid in a smooth finish. This makes the entire stone surface look more lively and cheerful. Mr Nowak was not only convinced by the combination possibilities and colouring of natural stones, but also by their naturalness, quality and durability.
Paving stones - it's all about laying them correctly
Laying natural stone paving stones requires some preparatory work and thought. Once you have decided on a natural stone and a pattern, the preparatory work can begin. First, the desired area is excavated. For drivable areas such as a driveway or car park, the bed should be 25 cm deep. For areas that can be walked on, only a depth of 15 cm is needed. The area is then filled with a mixture of gravel and sand and compacted. An appropriate slope in the bed prevents standing rainwater in the form of puddles later on. This is followed by the bedding of a levelling layer of fine chippings or crushed sand, which is also compacted. Now the paving stones can be laid accordingly. They can be laid with or without a joint, as desired.
When laying with a joint, each stone must be fixed and tapped down individually. Now all that remains is to fill and slurry the joints and sweep off the paving stones. In some cases, it is also possible to lay the paving stone in a bonded installation with cement mortar. However, in this type of installation, the paving has only a low tolerance to temperature fluctuations and can be damaged as a result. No matter how you want to lay your paving stone, regular checking of the evenness is the be-all and end-all of this work. Natural stone is a very special material that should only be laid and processed accordingly. Therefore, entrust the laying of your paving stone to a professional! Our professional installers know all the materials and are very familiar with the laying of different patterns as well as the correct drainage of the surfaces.
On a tour through the historic alleys of Vienna, you will walk every step of the way on various cobblestones from past centuries. Already in the Middle Ages, cobblestones played an important role in the construction of streets and paths. In Vienna, mainly granite paving stones were used. When touching the stones, one can literally feel the generations with their horses that walked and drove over the paving during the last centuries. Historic paving stones are removed during road renovations and can still be used today, either in their original condition or as paving slabs with a cut and sandblasted surface. The historic edges are preserved in this paving pattern. An arch segment pattern of historic paving stones, available with both original and processed surfaces, can also be laid. For smaller paths, arched pavers were used in the past and are still used today.Of course, you can also choose limestone pavers with a flamed or bush-hammered surface. However, tyre marks become visible more quickly here than on dark granite, e.g. on a driveway to the garage.The so-called peacock tail pattern is suitable for parking areas. Here the individual scales interlock. The surface appears very supple, as this paving shape adapts to every bend and curve.
Natural stone - easy to care for and timelessly beautiful
Natural stone is a material from nature that is not only robust but also very easy to clean. Special or elaborate cleaning is not necessary. However, should you wish to clean it, hosing it down with a Kärcher is sufficient. If necessary, you can remove deposits or light dirt from smaller areas with water and a simple brush. This way, your natural stone paving stone will remain timelessly beautiful and well-maintained for a long time.
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