Concrete pavers owe their popularity to a wide range of designs, colours and sizes, as well as their durability, which is no less than that of granite. As a result, pavers and slabs are a material perfectly suited to hardening and levelling surfaces on both private properties and in public spaces. There are also many paver manufacturers – these include large, reputable firms as well as smaller ones offering products of varying quality. So what should you look out for when choosing pavers at a wholesaler or building supplies store to ensure the resulting pavement does not fade or crack in the frost?
Good pavers
– It is worth buying pavers from a trusted source where you can count on the support of an experienced salesperson, or from a reliable distributor of products with guaranteed quality – explains Karol Umiński, a technologist at Polbruk. – For example, at Polbruk, all products undergo preliminary testing and inspection as part of the Factory Production Control before they are released for sale. This supervision covers raw materials, production and testing equipment, the products themselves, their labelling and storage – adds the expert.
Just as important as the product manufacturer are the paving block’s specifications – the product must be manufactured in accordance with the European standard PN-EN 1338 – “Concrete paving blocks. Requirements and test methods”. The standard contains all the necessary requirements for the manufacture of small-sized concrete elements, which include: water absorption, frost resistance and strength. – When purchasing paving blocks that comply with the PN-EN 1338 standard, we can be sure that they are made from the appropriate aggregate, are durable and have the correct parameters – adds Karol Umiński, a technologist at Polbruk.
Information on the characteristics of a given product and the standards it meets can be found in the “Declarations of Performance” or “Declarations of Conformity”, or in the “Technical Data Sheet” for the specific product. These documents are usually available on the paving block manufacturer’s website.
Points to note
Concrete pavers must not have cracks, flaking or chips. Furthermore, the stones should not delaminate. It is worth knowing that lime efflorescence appearing on the surface of the pavers is not a defect, but the result of natural processes occurring in maturing concrete, and it disappears spontaneously after some time (efflorescence has no harmful effect on the performance characteristics of the pavers, nor does it affect their durability). Furthermore, the pavers should be weather-resistant – some manufacturers apply impregnation, i.e. additional chemical protection, during the production stage. Products from other companies should be impregnated with a dedicated agent after the surface has been laid. Another important feature is the properties of the pavers’ face layer. – Polbruk is one of the few companies in Poland to use basalt and granite grit in the production of concrete for the face layer, which significantly improves the physical and chemical properties of the products, including increased strength and enhanced abrasion resistance – adds Karol Umiński.
Purpose and construction
Furthermore, for a paver surface to be durable and aesthetically pleasing, a basic condition must be met: the sub-base must be properly prepared. That is why it is worth entrusting the laying of a paver surface to a specialist team that will carry out the work in accordance with best construction practice. One must also not forget the intended use of the pavers – the function and nature of use of the paved surface determine the thickness of the product. An improperly constructed sub-base or poorly selected material will, over time, lead to cracks, ruts and subsidence of the surface.
Aesthetics
Another important consideration is aesthetics. To avoid striking differences in the surface colour, when laying a pavement or driveway, you should alternate pavers from three different batches (pavers are made from natural raw materials and may vary slightly in colour). Mixing the material will prevent the formation of patches on the ground – areas with distinctly different shades.
When opting for concrete pavers, it is worth treating the purchase as an investment and choosing a product from companies offering materials of proven quality, confirmed by standards. This will ensure you can enjoy a durable and functional surface.
