What is paving stone, its main types and properties. Paving slabs: types and how to lay What types of paving slabs are there

These two types of road materials have much in common and are often used to solve the same problems. However, their technical characteristics, geometric dimensions and what they are made of vary significantly.

Paving slabs

What it is? These are solid flat piece materials of relatively small thickness, made using various technologies and intended for paving sidewalks and areas. Depending on the starting materials used, there are the following types paving slabs:

• , vibro-cast and pressed, from ordinary and colored concrete mixtures;
• sawn, from natural natural stone;
• , from specially prepared clay;
• obtained as a result of high temperature sintering polymer materials and sand;
• , from recycled car tires.

Due to the affordable cost, simple manufacturing technology and good operational characteristics, such concrete “outdoor floor tiles” have found a wide response in private and contract construction.

Common shapes and sizes

The variety of paving tiles produced today has long gone beyond the limits of GOST 17608-91, which determined the technical requirements only for concrete slabs.

Shapes and sizes of slabs.

In assortment modern materials paving may include not only rectangular and square paving slabs, but also products in the form of a wide flat wave, rhombus, polygon, clover, or in the form of a set of several elements that make up a figured pattern.

Also, in the process of choosing paving slabs, you should pay attention to the “collection series”. This should include “”, “”, “California”, “Florida” and some others. All of them differ in their appearance from traditional products due to a special design approach to manufacturing.

An important dimensional characteristic of paving slabs is their thickness. This characteristic largely determines the scope of its application. The thickness range of products is from 30 to 80 mm. The thinnest types can only be used for paving garden paths with low pedestrian traffic. The average thickness is for street sidewalks and squares, and the thickest is in places where cars are parked and for roadways with light traffic.

Speaking about the geometric dimensions in the plane of piece products, the most popular length is in the range of 200-400 mm with a width of 140-250 mm.

Marking

Modern production conditions and changes in paving slab manufacturing technologies have led to the fact that most factories label this road material in accordance with their own specifications. In the same time State standard indicates that the tile markings must indicate:

• the material from which it is made;
• its geometric shape;
• length, width and thickness in cm.

For example:

• square concrete paving slabs 50x50x30 mm are designated as B K 5.5.3;
• rectangular made of granite with dimensions 300x200x40 mm - G P 30.20.4;
• clinker hexagonal size 120x180x50 mm – K Ш 12.18.5;
• wave paving slabs 50x150x40 made of concrete - B B 5.15.4.

One way or another, this format is quite difficult to understand, and therefore a person without a construction education may have difficulties during the purchasing process. Therefore, on store price tags the name is usually indicated without using markings, and its explanation is immediately given in terms and quantities that are understandable to the buyer.

Popular slab sizes.

Material Specifications

The performance characteristics of paving slabs depend on the quality of the material from which they are made, as well as the manufacturing technology. For example, the most popular tile made from colored concrete mixtures, depending on the method of its molding, may have the following characteristics:

• compressive strength 0.40-0.60 kg/cm2;
• frost resistance 200-350 cycles;
• density or specific gravity paving slabs 1800-2200 kg/m 3;
• water absorption 2-5%;
• abrasion 0.15-0.55 g/cm 2 ;
• estimated service life up to 25 years.

Granite, marble, clinker and polymer sand tiles have higher performance indicators, which are determined in each case separately and depend on many factors.

Characteristics.

Tile selection

The solution to the problem of how to choose paving slabs depends on the combination of answers to the following questions:

• purpose of the road surface;
• expected pedestrian and weight load on the surface;
• desired type of pattern and color shade;
• financial opportunities.

Granite or clinker tiles are stronger and more durable, but the high cost of this material forces many developers to choose cheaper products made from colored concrete.

Before choosing paving slabs, pay attention to the absence of cracks and chips on the surface, check the correct geometric dimensions and color uniformity.

High-quality tiles should produce enough sound when tapped. ringing sound. Dull recoil speaks of high humidity products and low quality of the initial mixture.

On average, manufacturers place 10 to 14 square meters on a pallet. meters of tiles depending on its thickness. As a result, the weight of one pallet can range from 680 to 1120 kg. That's why Special attention, when purchasing in bulk, you need to pay attention to those tiles that bear all this weight, being at the very bottom.

Cost of material and installation work

The cost of factory-made paving slabs depends on the materials used, thickness and method of their manufacture. Average prices per sq. meter in major cities Russia is:

• vibro-cast colored concrete - 300-480 rub/m2;
• vibropressed concrete - 530-750 rub/m 2;
• granite, depending on the type, - 1700-3500 rubles/m2;
• polymer sand - 410-480 rub/m2;
• rubber - 800-1700 rub/m2.

The cost of vibrocast concrete tiles at home is 160-200 rubles/m2.

The cost of work carried out by a construction organization largely depends on the complexity of preparing the foundation. But on average the price ranges from 30 to 50% of the cost of all materials used (about 900 rubles per sq.m. including preparation of the base).

Paving stones

Unlike paving slabs, this material has a larger internal volume, i.e. its height is greater, and its dimensions in the plane are smaller or the same. Also answering the question of what paving stones are, it should be noted that they have high strength and can withstand very significant weight loads. Therefore, it can be used for paving roads and sidewalks with heavy pedestrian traffic. It is produced using the following technologies:

• vibrocompression, vibration casting and semi-dry pressing from concrete mixtures;
• processing of granite, marble and other natural stone to produce fully chipped products that are smooth on one or five sides;
• clinker firing of clay.

Rubber, polymer sand and polymer materials are not used for the manufacture of paving stones. The most common piece products are made of concrete, but it is not recommended to use them on roadways due to faster wear.

Types, sizes, characteristics

Shapes and sizes of paving stones.

Paving stones come only with a rectangular or square surface shape. Figured products of this type are not produced, since it is more difficult to lay figured material of large thickness, it is more difficult to manufacture, and the stability of such a road surface will be worse.

The thickness of the paving stones varies from 60 to 120 mm in increments of 20 mm. The thinnest paving stones are made using clinker firing technology. Its thickness starts from 50 mm.

Most common rectangular dimensions surfaces - 100x200 mm, 70x210 mm and 160x240 mm. Products square shape have dimensions of 50x50 mm, 100x100 mm, 150x150 mm and 200x200 mm.

The exact weight of the paving stones depends on the density of the source material, but on average for tiles 60 mm thick it is 135-145 kg/m2. 11-12 m2 or 1600-1700 kg are placed on a pallet. A square meter of tiles with a thickness of 80 mm is equal to 180-185 kg and 10-11 m2 are laid on a pallet.

Features of choice

When choosing paving stones, you need to make sure that there are no visible defects on the surface of the material. The fact is that there are no noticeable chips, cracks or holes. Even if they are located on the back or side, if moisture gets inside, this can lead to the destruction of the paving surface.

Stones made of concrete must have the same color shade without salt or other stains. The quality of the material can be checked by tapping two products against each other. The sound should be clear. A dull sound indicates poor manufacturing quality. Clinker products must have a dense and durable surface on any of the faces.

The thickness of the paving stones must correspond to future operating conditions. Where you plan to travel passenger car, the thickness of the stone must be at least 80 mm, and for small trucks 100 mm will be required.

What to choose?

When choosing tiles or paving stones, you need to understand that the decision depends, first of all, on the conditions of future operation of the road surface, the desired durability, appearance and financial capabilities of the developer.

Difference in operating conditions

Paving stones are characterized by a smaller surface size and greater thickness. Thanks to this, the weight load on the surface of paving stones is distributed simultaneously over 2-4 stones, and for paving slabs - onto one product large area. As a result of this distribution of loads, paving stones can be used in more severe operating conditions.

In addition, paving stones are characterized by higher frost resistance and wear resistance. All this determines the cobblestone road surface as stronger and more durable, but more expensive and difficult to install.

Comparative advantages of paving stones and tiles

An important difference between these two types of road materials is their cost. When using the same type of raw material, paving stones, due to their thickness, will always cost more than paving slabs. Therefore, the choice of material should be based on performance requirements.

For a garden path that is not walked very often, inexpensive concrete vibratory tiles are quite sufficient, but it is better to pave the driveway to the garage with paving stones 60-80 mm thick.

In the courtyard near the house, it may be worth laying clinker tiles or beautiful figured products.

The difference between paving stones and tiles is in size.

In any case, tile flooring is less durable, but more beautiful and cheaper. Based on these main differences, the material should be selected for each specific case.

Laying options

Laying tiles and paving stones should be done on a prepared sand base, sand-cement mixture or concrete, in the presence of a lower drainage crushed stone layer. Since paved surfaces are used as design elements in landscaping, a well-chosen installation method will influence the overall visual perception of the entire site. Therefore, the choice of installation scheme must be approached very carefully.

The production of paving slabs is steadily increasing in volume. This is due to the fact that this material is widely used in the design of private areas, city streets, squares, parks, and sports grounds.

The versatility of using paving slabs is due to the variety of shapes and sizes, durability of the coating and ease of installation. Essentially this is best option to give the landscape a landscaped and complete look. In the eyes of many ordinary people, paving slabs appear square gray stone made of concrete. This is far from true.

Modern production offers such solutions that tiles simply give limitless scope to the imagination of architects and private developers. Therefore, we will try to tell you everything you need to know about this material.

How tiles for paths are made

Considering the diverse range of products, it is not difficult to guess that paving slabs are produced according to various technologies. However, the key differences are only in own recipes production.

Depending on the purpose, the manufacturer may add coloring pigments, plasticizers, crumb rubber and other polymers to the mixture. This is necessary for external design products. The main technological process remains unchanged and consists of the following stages:

The base is prepared: usually it is a cement-sand mortar or low grade concrete.

The mixture is poured into molds, which are placed on vibrating tables.

The mixture is compacted by vibration. This allows for maximum strength and removes air bubbles.

The forms are placed on racks so that the solution gains initial strength. This requires about 24 hours.

Then the finished tiles are removed from the molds, laid out on pallets, and cured from 7 to 28 days, depending on weather conditions.

At the final stage, the products are packaged and sent to places of sale. Of course, the technological process is presented in several simplified form: Each manufacturer has its own proprietary secrets. However, this does not change the essence, so many home craftsmen purchase ready-made forms and set up their own small production.

Materials and technologies

Depending on the manufacturing method, they are also used different types materials for the production of paving slabs. Despite the variety of shapes and sizes, all products in this category available on the market can be divided into three groups:

Concrete vibrocast

It is made of lightweight concrete, which is poured into molds and compacted on vibrating tables. We described this process above.

Vibration-pressed concrete

Concrete mixture is also used here, but the manufacturing process is somewhat different. In particular, in addition to vibration compaction, the forms are pressed with a press to achieve increased strength. In addition, vibropressed tiles are dried not in the open air, but in special chambers.

Polymer sand

A mixture of fine sand and polymer materials is used here. The components are mixed, dyes are added and subjected to heat treatment. After this, the composition is given the desired shape and compressed to obtain increased strength.

Knowing these features, you can easily select suitable paving slabs. The difference between the listed groups lies in the cost of the finished product and the scope of application. For example, polymer-sand products are more suitable for decorative purposes, while vibropressed tiles will ideal solution for paving paths with high traffic.

Comparative characteristics table

Types and shapes of tiles for laying sidewalks

Let's talk about varieties. Today, the following types of finished products are very popular:

• Paving stones

  Durable and frost-resistant material with high level environmental safety. City sidewalks and squares are often paved with such tiles. The advantage of paving stones is that they are neutral to any aggressive environment, so they can be reused.

• With rubber filling

  This option is ideal for arranging playgrounds. When making tiles, rubber crumbs are used, which forms a soft surface. Accordingly, if a child falls on such a covering, he will be able to avoid injury.

• Polymer sand

  Practical and convenient solution for beautification of private sector territories. The tiles are durable and wide color scheme, allowing you to give areas original look. It is important to understand that the strength of such products does not allow them to be used for paving parking spaces.

• Reinforced

  This is a type of vibrocast tiles where wire mesh is used to increase strength.

• With 3D pattern

  A relatively new variety that will decorate any country house. Using photo printing technology, various designs are applied to the tiles. Thanks to the special coating, the surface of the products does not wear off even with prolonged mechanical exposure and UV radiation.

If we talk about forms, there are no restrictions at all. Depending on the formwork, paving slabs can be given any geometry. However, certain standards also apply in this direction. The following forms are considered the most popular:

Clover. A standard quatrefoil that is ideal for any design solution.

English cobblestones. It has a texture similar to natural stone, so it accurately imitates the pavement of an ancient city.

Wave. This form was not chosen by chance. Wave-shaped tiles have better surface adhesion, which significantly increases the service life of the sidewalk.

Brick. It accurately copies the usual building material in miniature.

Galvanized. This is a tile rectangular shape with rounded edges.

As you can see, the variety of geometric shapes makes it possible to add charm and originality to the site. In addition, most manufacturers produce paving slabs according to individual projects customer. Such products usually cost more.

Standard Size Charts

Large size tiles

Popular types of paving slabs

Criteria for choosing a good material

When buying paving slabs, the customer’s natural desire is the durability of the coating. Let us immediately clarify that high-quality products, manufactured in full compliance with the technological process, can last for decades without losing their original properties. However, how to choose a good tile among the variety available on the market?

It is better to purchase colored tiles from trusted suppliers. Unscrupulous manufacturers often replace expensive coloring pigment cheap analogues. Accordingly, after the first rain, the tiles will lose color.

Be sure to inspect the back surface. There should be a uniform color, without yellow or brown spots. The change in pigment is caused by the use of sand with a high clay content. The service life of such products is noticeably shorter.

The front surface should be smooth, without even microscopic cracks or chips. Ideally, the shade of the front and back surfaces should be identical.

When purchasing paving slabs, choose products from the same batch. Products from different batches may have differences in color and inconsistencies in geometric shapes.

Laying scheme

Installation of this building material is extremely simple: even a novice builder can handle the work. The main thing is to think through the future design of the path in advance, and strictly follow the following sequence of actions:

Preparation. The site of the future sidewalk is cleared of a layer of turf, a sand cushion is made, about 10 centimeters. It is recommended to spill the sand with water and compact it thoroughly.

Installation. The tiles are laid in the direction away from you, adjusting each element with a rubber hammer, leaving gaps 1-2 mm. When the entire surface is laid, the sidewalk is leveled with light tapping, focusing on the building level.

Clutch. The remaining gaps are filled cement-sand mortar, they spill water on the sidewalk.

The coating does not require further maintenance: simply sweep away the dust periodically. It is recommended to wash colored products occasionally to prevent the colors from fading.

Some trusted manufacturers

"Vybor-S". This is the largest supplier of paving slabs in the southern region of the country. The company's product range includes 18 titles products of any shape and size. The tiles produced by this company fully comply with European and domestic quality standards.

"Gothic". Leading manufacturer in the central region. The company uses an automated production line and German equipment. Every day the company produces about 5,000 m2 tiles The Alexander Garden, the square in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, is paved with the products of this enterprise.

"Stone Age". The company is well known in the market more than 15 years. After the reorganization of the enterprise, a large-scale update took place model range, texture and assortment.

Among foreign companies The following brands enjoy the trust of customers: CRH, MHUR, WIENERBERGER.

Paving stones are the material that our ancestors used hundreds of years ago. Of course, technological progress is developing, and roads are increasingly covered with asphalt. But fashion is returning: roads paved with paving stones are much more beautiful and reliable than their modern counterparts, which reek of tar.

What are paving stones

By definition, a paving stone is a small parallelepiped of stone that is quite thick. This is done in order to ensure maximum strength of the coating, because the paving stones are laid tightly one to one on the sand embankment. There are several main subtypes of paving stones: chipped and sawn.

Chopped - sample rough processing, whose form has only been worked out approximately. Driving on a road paved with crushed paving stones is quite uncomfortable and this has a detrimental effect on the car.

Sawn paving stones are carefully processed stones that, when properly laid, provide a smooth surface. It is in no way inferior to asphalt pavement. Occasionally, such paving stones are even polished on the front side.

Granite paving stones are one of the most durable and sought-after building materials:

What is it made from?

As a rule, paving stones are made from two types of materials - granite and sandstone. The first one belongs to the category of noble stones. It is aesthetically beautiful and durable, and also gives the road a certain bourgeois style and taste. With its help you can achieve interesting patterns on the roads. The second material is a layered substance, which is several times lower in cost than granite.

However, there are some advantages to using sandstone as a material for making paving stones:

1. The customer can choose the thickness of the finished product he needs;
2. There is a wide variety in the choice of the shape of each element - you can make sawn, chipped or even paving stones with rounded edges.

involves two technologies: by vibration pressing and by vibration casting. For the manufacture of most products, vibrocompression is used.

Technical characteristics and properties

So, paving stones are an excellent building material that has many advantages and is ideal for paving highways, and for decorating summer cottages and garden plots.

To all of the above, we can only add that it has the following characteristics:

• Manufacturing technology– paving stones are made using vibratory casting of concrete and various admixtures (for example, colored pigments, etc.);
• Frost resistance— this characteristic shows how many cycles of freezing and thawing the paving stones can withstand. On average, in Russia during the winter, paving stones go through from 5 to 10 cycles within the freezing range from -20 to +20 0C. That is, average term its service life is 50 years.
• Water absorption function— for paving stones this figure reaches about 2%. What does it mean? If the stone weighs 1000 g, it can absorb 20 g of liquid. This is perhaps the greatest weakness of paving stones, since in winter time water that gets into the structure of the stone will freeze and thaw, thereby destroying the stone from the inside. In other words, the lower the water absorption rate, the better.
• Strength— There are 3 strength indicators: compressive strength, bending strength and abrasion strength. The first is responsible for the load that the paving stones can withstand under vertical pressure. A normal, durable material has a strength of about 400 kg/cm2. The bending index shows the maximum load on paving stones lying unevenly and at an angle. The average is 60 kg/cm2. The lower the abrasion, the longer the service life. Normal indicator for paving stones - 0.4 g/cm2.
• Weight and size- paving stones maybe various sizes and weight. So, square meter on average has a weight of over 100 kg, and the dimensions directly depend on the shape of the elements.

Sizes of different paving stones

Types and forms of paving stones

Depending on the materials used to make paving stones, they are divided into several types - clinker, stone and concrete. Let's consider each type separately.

Concrete

The most common type of paving stones, which are made from concrete and admixtures by vibration casting. Polymer sand paving stones are also made in the same way.

Vibration casting technology includes production stages:

1. Preparation of a special ready-made mixture;
2. Filling prepared forms with a mixture and vibration pressing;
3. Drying in thermal ovens;
4. Stripping and edging of elements.

Using vibratory casting, you can get paving stones of various colors, shapes and with excellent quality surface that does not require additional processing. The vibratory pressing function allows you to create paving stones with excellent geometric shapes, high strength and good frost resistance.

Photo of concrete figured paving stones

Clinker

Clinker paving stones are, roughly speaking, bricks. Such paving stones are obtained after firing special plastic clays in blast furnaces. This type paving stones are characterized by high strength, a wide variety of shapes and colors, and they are also very durable.

In the photo: using clinker paving stones in the courtyard

Stone (granite)

This paving stone is rightfully considered the most durable and durable road surface. Such paving stones are made from natural stones, such as sandstone, marble, granite or basalt. Manufacturing technology similar material comes down to giving the source material the required shape. It is most advisable to use a stone splitting machine and a stamping press.

Photo of stone paving stones made of rubble

By appearance

Depending on their appearance, paving stones are classified into following types:

1. Chipped - obtained by splitting large granite blocks into smaller ones, and the latter are quite uneven in shape.
2. Sawn - differs in that it is made by cutting into small parts, each of which has a smooth and even surface.
3. Split-sawn - made by splitting pre-sawn parts of stone materials. As a rule, such paving stones have uneven front and back edges.

Colored (decorative)

Experience shows that this variety looks very beautiful and interesting. of this material like colored paving stones. Thanks to it, you can create comfort around your site, living space, etc. For example, to improve the appearance, it is quite possible to designate a parking place for your vehicle or use it to allocate space for a barbecue.

You also need to know that all the nuances of using colored paving stones must be discussed with the master (architect) who will be directly involved in laying the material. Colored paving stones come in several colors, and only sandstone products can achieve color.

Paving slabs

The purpose of paving slabs speaks for itself; the use of this material provides coverage of the top layer of sidewalks, alleys, station platforms, or simply to cover the ground in small courtyards.

To choose the right and most relevant type of road paving stones, it is worth considering several parameters: type of load, intended purpose, type of melt and Wastewater etc. The capabilities and durability of the tile also directly depend on its thickness - the thicker it is, the higher its strength and reliability.

The following types of road or paving slabs can be distinguished:

• Road tiles, which are used in parks, country houses or other in public places, is clover tile. It is made from so-called “heavy” concrete, which includes granite crushed stone. One of the main advantages that this type of tile has is the minimum level of pollution during operation, since it has smooth surface. Clover-shaped tiles will perfectly complement any design and become a decoration for your garden patio.
• English cobblestones is a tile obtained by vibration casting of concrete, which is similar in appearance to natural stone. A strict quadrangular shape, a brown or dark gray shade, and a non-standard textured shape add confidence and simplicity to the style of your room or area.
• Wave tile has a unique wavy shape, which minimizes the effect of tile displacement and also increases the strength and durability of the final structure. Thanks to this, fastening density is achieved and strength is increased under high loads.
• Tile "Brick"- this is a kind of resemblance to a real miniature brick. The tile has the shape of a parallelepiped, which can withstand high loads.
• Galvanized tiles characterized by having rounded corners. Although this tile does not have the highest strength, it is aesthetically beautiful and will add personality and taste to your site.

In addition, for road surfaces with vehicular traffic, it is advisable to use tiles with jagged side profiles. Due to this, greater strength of the joined elements is achieved.

Photos of some types of paving slabs

Marble

Marble tiles is a material for decorating rooms, which is made from small slabs made of marble. Marble tiles have one significant feature - each piece of marble from which the tile is formed has different color and texture, even when it is made from one marble block.

Marble has long been famous for its strength and heat resistance, which is why it is now widely used for the construction and decoration of not only residential buildings, but also museums, theaters and churches. In addition, marble flooring will add some charm and sophistication to your room.

Compared to asphalt, it is more durable and can withstand both mechanical pressure and adverse environmental factors.

Glowing tile

A unique modern product with unique property- glow in the dark. The new innovative design makes this tile very popular in the consumer market.

Solar-powered LED paving stones are one of the most innovative products in the architectural industry. Since the installation does not require wires or electricity, it can be installed absolutely anywhere where the sun shines. There are no further maintenance or costs - the entire system is completely autonomous.

Learn more about glowing paving stones in the video:

Pros and cons, overall assessment of paving stones

As a rule, there are simply no disadvantages to a road paved with paving stones, or they are very insignificant. Of course, if the master who was directly involved in laying out the paving stones made mistakes and the paving stones are not laid out evenly, this may cause some inconvenience to drivers and pedestrians.

But at the same time, the number of advantages naturally outweighs the number of disadvantages:

1. The formation of puddles is minimized as waste and defrosted water seeps through the seams between the luggage.
2. The material is environmentally friendly - when heated, no harmful substances or resins are released into the air, as, for example, when heating asphalt.
3. An important advantage of paving stones is the durability of the material, which amounts to tens or even hundreds of years.
4. Paving stone roads are very practical. For example, if it is necessary to lay communications, they can be easily dismantled.

To sum up, we can say with confidence that paving stones have never lost their practicality and relevance, which is why its use is so advisable to this day. Many people prefer paving stones to other coatings, as can be seen from the numerous positive reviews.

On average, paving stones are a unique, aesthetically beautiful and durable material for laying roads, sidewalks and decorating private areas. For all criteria and characteristics, you can give it a solid A.

Paving slabs are a very popular material among owners of suburban areas. With the use of such cladding, you can make the courtyard of the house and the paths in the adjacent area as comfortable as possible for movement and beautiful. There are many types on sale today. Such material may differ both in performance characteristics and in design.

by manufacturing method

Based on this feature, the following types of such facing material are distinguished:

vibrocast tiles;

vibration-pressed;

hyperpressed;

polymer sand.

All these types can also be used for lining private courtyards. country houses. The difference between them lies in the manufacturing method, the materials used when pouring, as well as in operational characteristics.

What are vibrocast tiles?

This material is most often used for lining courtyards and paths of small country houses or summer cottages. The main advantages of this type of tile are their low cost and variety of designs. Courtyards lined with this material look very impressive.

In terms of performance characteristics, vibrocast tiles are somewhat inferior to other varieties. However, it is still quite strong and durable. The only drawback of this type of tile is that it is not recommended to be used for finishing areas of the territory that are subject to heavy loads (for example, where the owners’ cars are parked). With constant strong pressure from above, this type of tile may begin to collapse.

Also, paths lined with such material must be cleaned with some caution in winter. Of course, you cannot break ice on such a tile with a crowbar or shovel. It is not recommended to sprinkle this type of tile with salt to remove compressed snow, otherwise its top layer may begin to crumble.

How to make vibrocast material

This type of paving slabs for paths and courtyards is usually made in small batches and only by hand. Such material is most often sold in small private workshops, set up, for example, in garages or outbuildings of country houses.

The manufacturing technology for vibro-cast tiles looks something like this:

a mortar consisting of cement that increases strength finished material chemical additives, poured into plastic or rubber molds, pre-coated machine oil;

the forms are installed on a special vibrating table;

The vibrating table is turned on for about 5 minutes, as a result of which the mixture in the molds is leveled and compacted.

After the solution has dried, the vibrating tiles are removed from the molds and placed in batches to mature in a dark room for several days. Next, the cladding is sent for sale.

The solution for such material is in most cases made from white cement. At the same time, coloring pigments are added to it. The forms for making this type of paving slab can also be used in a variety of ways. All this determines the variety of design of such facing material. Vibrating tiles can have different colors, be square, polygonal, rectangular.

What is vibrocompressed material?

This type of paving slabs for a summer residence, for example, is not very suitable due to its high cost. It is usually used only by owners of residential buildings and cottages to decorate courtyards. Such material costs more than vibrocast material. However, it is also more durable and lasts longer. If desired, vibropressed tiles can be used to cover areas of the yard that are subject to significant loads.

Some of the disadvantages of this type of material (compared to vibrocast) is that there is not much variety in designs. Such tiles can differ mainly only in color.

Manufacturing technology

This type of paving slabs, the photo of which is presented below, is most often manufactured in large enterprises. The technology for pouring such material involves the use of quite expensive equipment. This type of tile is also made in molds on a vibrating table. However, at the same time it is also subjected to additional pressing.

This type of tile is made using a mixture containing little water. Due to its thick consistency, such a solution cannot be distributed evenly over the form when vibrating. Therefore, it is additionally pressed from above. As a result, when using this technology, very strong and durable tiles are obtained.

Hyper-pressed material

Such tiles are also manufactured at factories. The main feature of this variety is its low thickness and weight, and increased strength. In general, such material can last several decades longer than any other type of tile in the courtyard of a country house. But the cladding of this type is, of course, quite expensive.

Technology for the production of hyperpressed tiles

This material is produced without the use of vibration equipment. A semi-dry mixture consisting of cement, sand, limestone and chemical additives is pressed on special machines under a pressure of about 20 MPa.

When using this technology, the result is a tile that contains absolutely no voids. After pressing, the material of this type is additionally exposed to hot steam. This also significantly improves its performance.

What is polymer sand material

This type of paving slabs is made without the use of cement. In this case, sand is mixed with the polymer. Unlike other types of tiles, this cladding is manufactured in strict compliance with state-regulated standards. Therefore, the quality of this material is usually very good.

The advantages of polymer sand cladding (compared to the types of concrete paving slabs discussed above) include ease of installation, low weight and frost resistance. Also distinctive feature This material is that it does not absorb water at all. It is allowed to wash a yard decorated with such tiles using any household chemicals.

Since polymer sand material does not weigh too much, it can be used not only for finishing courtyards and garden paths. This type of cladding is often used for cladding the plinths of buildings, support pillars fences and even house roofs.

Paving slabs: types and names by design

Vary facing material, used for finishing courtyards, can, of course, not only be based on the manufacturing method. Among other things, there are several varieties of paving slabs in shape. For cladding suburban area The following types of material can be used:

paving stones - tiles imitating ancient or modern stonework;

spool - a material that tapers towards the middle, similar in shape to a skein of thread;

clover - has rounded “petals” at the edges;

checkers - tiles with a relief of protruding parts and recesses;

quadruple - material divided into four equal or unequal parts;

well - imitates masonry with a radial divergence;

turtle - square tiles with armored pattern;

eight - also square material, consisting of 8 rectangular bricks;

Florida - tiles with a pattern of relief lines.

In addition, there are also the following types of paving slabs:

Old city;

pavement.

The first type of material is made in one color. But at the same time different tiles have slightly different shades. When laid in the yard, such material imitates old cladding. Paving stones have a slightly ribbed surface.

A rather spectacular appearance is what distinguishes all these types of paving slabs. In the photos presented in the article, you can see that courtyards lined with this material really look neat and attractive. But so that the territory suburban area looked beautiful and solid, you should choose the tiles according to the design correctly.

When purchasing such material, you should take into account the style of landscape design of the area, as well as the exterior of the house. For a building with classic shapes and design, paving stones or checkers are best suited, for example. The courtyard of a house built in the Provence style can be decorated with a coil material that creates an openwork “lattice” on the surface. For modern, for example, clover or Florida would be a good choice.

Varieties by size

Thus, we found out what designs and names of types of paving slabs exist. In the photo you can see that the design of such material often differs significantly. At the same time, facing tiles maybe not only different design, but also unequal sizes.

GOST defines the thickness of the tile as follows:

for paving stones - 6 cm;

eights - 5 cm;

square - 7 cm;

coils - 8 cm.

California, Florida, well, clover, checkers, four and turtle tiles must, according to the standards, have a thickness of 3 cm.

Thus, different thickness- this is how (among other things) the types of paving slabs differ. And the dimensions of this facing material, of course, are also determined by its specific type. So, for example, California, checkers, Florida, well and four tiles have a length and width of 300 mm. For a square this figure is 500 x 500 mm, for an eight - 400 x 400 mm.

The standard coil has dimensions of 200 x 168 mm, and the clover – 295 x 295 mm. The width of the paving stones can be 120 or 140 mm, and the length can be from 70 to 140 mm.

Of course, standard tiles are most often sold by companies engaged in the production of such facing materials. However, if desired, you can also use tiles to decorate the courtyard of a country house. arbitrary sizes. Hand-made vibrocast material, for example, can have a wide variety of dimensions.

In any case, it is believed that the smaller the cladding, the longer it can last in the yard. Small tiles usually have a much longer service life than large tiles. Indeed, in this case, the load on the material is distributed much more evenly over the area of ​​the finished area.

What other types of tiles are there?

This facing material, as we found out, is made mainly from cement or polymers. But sometimes the courtyards of private houses are finished with special varieties of paving slabs, made, for example:

made of plastic;

All these types of paving slabs also differ in most cases attractive design and are relatively inexpensive. But wooden, rubber or plastic material, of course, in the future, most likely, less concrete or polymer. What to absorb? This is up to the owners of the site where they plan to lay the tiles to decide.

The use of paving slabs in landscaping has gained popularity last years large-scale character. In many Russian cities, including the capital, replacement is taking place everywhere asphalt pavement sidewalks on tiles. In addition, the material is very actively used in private construction, when landscaping the area adjacent to a cottage or country house. The reasons for this are quite simple and logical - paving slab coatings are durable, reliable, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing.

Paving slabs - properties and scope of application

Paving slabs– a modern building material of artificial origin, which is used to cover sidewalks, pedestrian paths and approaches to buildings.

It is usually made in one of two ways possible options: using vibration casting or vibration pressing.

The conditions for using paving slab coatings impose the following requirements on it:

• strength and abrasion resistance;
• ability to withstand exposure to precipitation and temperature changes;
• frost resistance;
• attractive appearance.

Modern technologies for the production of paving slabs allow them to meet the requirements and be used in a wide variety of areas:

• in accordance with the name - when constructing sidewalk coverings and various pedestrian paths;
• covering the blind area and approaches to the building;
• installation of coverings for garage entrances and parking lots;
• implementation of various design solutions for landscapes of parks, suburban areas, gardens and other similar areas.

Differences between paving slabs and paving stones

Strictly speaking, it is not entirely correct to talk about the differences between paving slabs and paving stones.

The fact is that, in fact, paving slabs are a type of paving stone. As we know from the course of logic, a part cannot differ from the whole. However, a strong opinion has formed about the difference between these two materials.

As a rule, there are two main differences:

• sizes and shape. It is believed that the standard shape of paving stones is rectangular brick. Paving slabs can be made absolutely different forms and sizes. In addition, it is generally accepted that the thickness of paving slabs is not large (5-6 cm), and the thickness of paving stones can reach 10 cm or more. An attempt was made to systematize such differences in the ratios of length, width and thickness, that is, geometric dimensions, in the following table.

• manufacturing technology. Classic paving slabs are made either by casting or pressing. Paving stones, in addition to the two listed, can also be clinker and stone (granite).

Standing apart are the rare types of paving slabs - rubber and plastic. They have nothing to do with paving stones, but they are also considered paving slabs due to the similarity of their areas of application.

It should once again be emphasized that the above differences are very arbitrary and are not fundamental and strictly regulated.

Advantages and disadvantages

Based on the above-described features of paving slabs, we can list its main advantages:

• high wear resistance and durability coverings. If the manufacturing technology is followed, the paving slab coating will last up to 30 years even under intensive use in difficult climatic conditions middle zone Russia;
• environmental friendliness. The coating does not highlight any harmful substances, which distinguishes it favorably from asphalt, which high temperatures often pollutes the surrounding air;
• aesthetically attractive appearance coverings. A variety of shapes and colors of paving slabs make it easy to implement any design solution on landscaping or landscaping;
• relatively low cost. Paving slabs are undoubtedly more expensive than asphalt, but compared to other types of paving stones (clinker and granite) they are quite competitive. In addition, an additional advantage of paving slabs is the ability to dismantle it during construction. repair work on communications and subsequent re-laying upon their completion. This is especially important when improving urban areas where the a large number of underground communications.

Along with its advantages, paving slabs, like any other building material, have a number of disadvantages:

• in winter, ice may form on the surface;
• the need to lay the material manually, which leads to a higher cost of work compared to asphalt;
• the possibility of failures and subsidence of the coating due to poor preparation of the base.

Types of tiles depending on manufacturing technology

As noted above, paving slabs are made by two main methods. They are quite simple, do not require expensive equipment (this especially applies to vibration casting), so they can be done on their own.

Manufacturing by vibration pressing

The essence of the technology comes down to the following: a pre-prepared concrete mixture is placed in a mold, which is located on a special vibrating table, after which a punch (a special type of press that creates a pressure of up to 30-35 atmospheres) is placed on top of the mold, compacting the mixture as much as possible. The design of the press is designed in such a way that it also constantly vibrates, further increasing the effect.

This technology has a number of advantages compared to vibration casting:

• high productivity and the ability to fully automate the process;
• higher performance characteristics: strength, durability, etc.

The disadvantages of the technology include a less attractive appearance, several rough surface tiles and the impossibility of making shaped shapes.

Manufacturing by vibration casting

The technology is somewhat simpler than that discussed above. Concrete mix placed in plastic or rubber molds, which are mounted on a vibrating table, and then compacted. After compaction, the molds are left to stand in a warm and humid room for 12-15 hours.

The manufacturing process takes much longer, it cannot be fully automated, and as a result, it is more expensive.

In terms of its performance characteristics, tiles made by this method are slightly inferior to those made by vibration pressing. But it also has advantages: it can be made in almost any shape, color and even pattern, and has a smooth and shiny surface.

In addition to the two listed technologies, paving slabs can be produced in other, less common ways.

Polymer sand

In production various methods using pressing or casting from a mixture consisting of 75% sand and dye, and the remaining 25% from polymers. It has a number of advantages: strength, durability, low weight, moisture resistance, etc. Disadvantages include a certain artificial appearance and the ability to expand under the influence of high temperatures.

Plastic

This type of paving slab consists entirely of polymer (propylene or polyvinyl chloride). Laying is carried out very quickly thanks to the grooves at the ends. Can be used for landscaping areas adjacent to swimming pools, garages, terraces and similar structures. The coating has the ability to withstand significant loads, is frost-resistant, and does not slip. In addition, it is very mobile and can be quickly disassembled and installed in another location if necessary.

Rubber

The most recently appeared of the listed material. It is made on the basis of crumb rubber, due to which the material is highly elastic and soft. In addition, when high strength extremely resistant to temperature changes. Rubber paving slabs can also be easily dismantled and installed in a new location. It is most often used for covering playgrounds, pedestrian and garden paths, parking lots, etc.

Shapes and sizes

There is a huge variety of paving slabs produced. Currently, there are no uniform standards to guide material manufacturers. Most of them carry out production according to independently developed technical specifications for the material they produce.

Carrying out installation work

The work of laying paving slabs is technologically simple and can be done with your own hands. They consist of several successive stages:

• planning and marking of the site;
• preparation of the base;
• installation of curb stones;
• laying paving slabs;
• filling seams.

Detailed instructions for performing the work are given in the following video:

A coating made of paving slabs has many advantages, in particular: reliability, durability and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Proper execution of work on its installation will allow you to fully take advantage of all the listed advantages during operation.