For many years, paving slabs have been considered one of the most popular materials. This is not surprising, because compared to the asph alt surface, it looks much more attractive and reliable. It is also very important that with its help anyone can independently pave beautiful and durable paths on their garden plot or on the territory of a country cottage. All that is needed for this is a handy tool and the paving stone itself. The sizes and types of modern tiles can be very diverse, so before you go shopping, you need to decide on the design and correctly calculate the amount of material needed. How to do this and what parameters pavers can have, we will consider in our article.
Types of paving slabs
Modern technologies allow manufacturers to produce paving stones of various shapes, sizes and colors. She canbe made of natural stones or artificial materials, while in both versions the product looks very aesthetically pleasing.
Today the following types of paving slabs can be found on the market:
- paving stones made from natural materials;
- artificial tiles;
- concrete products;
- vibrated stone slabs;
- vibro-pressed stone blocks;
- coating called "Brick";
- Tile "Turtle";
- hexagonal paving stones "Honeycombs";
- clay tiles.
The scope and dimensions of tiles (paving stones) are different in each case, so let's look at all the options separately.
Tiles made of natural and artificial materials
Granite or sandstone is the basis for the manufacture of natural paving stones. Products from granite differ in extreme durability and effective appearance. The manufacturing process of this variety is quite laborious, which is why the final cost of the product is somewhat higher compared to analogues.
Natural paving stones (the dimensions of which are strictly defined by GOSTs) are in the form of a square (the minimum dimensions of which are 50 x 50 x 50) or a rectangle (with maximum parameters of 200 x 100 x 80). Width, height and thickness of products can vary between minimum and maximum parameters, while each figure will always be a multiple of 10 mm.
Sandstone is less durable,than granite, which does not allow its use in conditions of intensive use. However, it is this quality that makes it possible to manufacture tiles not only square, but also rounded. Such paving stones are produced in gray, green, red, brown, yellow and pink colors.
Artificial analogues of natural paving stones are made of clay or concrete. The thickness of such plates ranges from 20 to 80 mm. Thin elements are used to pave the road surface in places where vehicles do not travel, and thick products are used for laying roads.
Vibrocast and vibropressed pavers
Artificial pavers are made from concrete, which is poured into special molds. This coverage is obtained in two ways:
- using vibration casting;
- vibrocompression.
Vibro-cast paving stones consist of a base concrete layer and a decorative coating with the addition of natural stone chips and dye. This tile is characterized by an extensive range of colors and smoothness. Most often it is used for arranging adjacent territories (in places of medium load).
In the second variant, paving stones are made by pressing and simultaneous vibration. The finished product is more rough, which ensures the safety of pedestrians in icy conditions. In car parks, park alleys and sidewalks, just such paving stones are used. The dimensions of both types are 200 x 100 x 40 and 200 x 100 x 60 mm.
To lay 1 square meter of such a coating, youyou will need about 50 bricks, the total weight of which will be from 85 to 100 kg.
Paving stones "Brick" and "Turtle"
The tile called "Brick" is especially popular, as it is considered more versatile. It can be used for paving both small and large areas. The coating is very resistant to wear and does not lose its original appearance for many years.
GOST set a clear size of the paving stones "Brick" - 210 x 105 x 60 mm, however, some manufacturers produce tiles of non-standard parameters.
Turtle tile is characterized by patterns and an unlimited range of colors, but it is suitable for laying only on a solid and even concrete base. Its size is 30 x 30 x 3 cm. To lay 1 m² of cladding, you will need 11 elements, the total weight of which will be 70 kg.
Paving stones "Honeycomb" and clay products
Tile "Honeycomb" is produced by vibrocasting or vibropressing. It is presented in the form of a hexagon, which fits in rows. This material is suitable for any surface, very durable and beautiful. Multi-colored hexagonal paving stones (measuring 260 x 140 x 60) are often used in landscape design.
Clay tiles are in other words called clinker bricks. It is available in more than 60 colors, which are obtained by mixing different types of clay. According to the texture of the product can be smooth, rough and structured. Most often in formthere are square, rectangular, oval and wedge-shaped tiles.
Today on construction sites you can find the following sizes of paving stones (rectangular):
• 24 x 11.8 x 5.2cm;
• 20 x 10 x 5.2cm;
• 20 x 15 x 5.2 cm.
Cost of pavers
In conclusion, I would like to pay attention to the cost of different types of paving stones.
Concrete vibropressed tiles of gray color (3 cm thick) will cost the buyer from 300 rubles per m². Products of maximum thickness will cost from 600 rubles for the same volume.
The price of clinker pavers also depends on its thickness. The thinnest tiles cost about 1,500 rubles per m². The price tag for thick clay paving stones is twice as high.
Granite products will cost the consumer from 1,600 per m².
When choosing tiles, keep in mind that painted paving stones cost twice as much as natural-colored products.
In this article, we examined what types of paving stones are. The dimensions, price and scope of application differ in each case, therefore, before purchasing one or another option, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with its performance characteristics. Good luck with your purchases and accurate calculations!
