Email: info@jsheenconstruction.co.uk

Paving Types....

Pre-cast Concrete Slabs
A highly versatile, yet reasonably priced paving unit. Widely used for public footpaths, as well as for patios, drives and just about anywhere else a simple, reliable and effective pavement is required. The standard units are not designed to be particularly attractive, utilitarian is the best way to describe them, although there are now textured, exposed aggregate and polished versions available, albeit at a premium.

They are manufactured by hydraulically pressing a damp high-strength concrete mixture into a mould. Excess water is forced out and the unit is then set aside to cure.
 

Natural Slabs

The natural beauty of real stone will provide timeless appeal to any landscape. The colours and textures have formed naturally since time began which gives each skilfully crafted piece it's own wonderful unique qualities.

A paving of real character, often with an unmistakable riven appearance. The legendary 'York Stone' flags hail from the Pennine grits of Northern England, although many other types of local and imported stone are also used for paving. Some of the most visually attractive work is done in natural stone and slate. New and reclaimed flagstones are available. Quite expensive. Reclaimed flags can sell for £40-60 per square metre . Low maintenance.

Block Paving  (Pavers))
Back in the 1980s, when Block Paving first really took off in the UK and Ireland, choice of blocks was relatively simple, amounting to little more than opting for clay bricks or concrete blocks and then picking from a handful of colour variations. However, as the market has grown and become more sophisticated, and as manufacturing technology has developed, so the choice of bricks and blocks has, like Alice, grown and grown and grown until we are today faced with over 1200 different pavers in Britain alone.

So, how do you choose the right pavers for your project? Certain types of blocks are made by more than one manufacturer - for example, the typical ruddy-black rectangular pavers that is seen almost everywhere is a British Standard Block, or derivative thereof, and is churned out by over half a dozen of the biggest paving manufacturers in the land.

Similarly, if one manufacturer has a new design that seem to be grabbing a slice of the market, it's never very long before the other manufacturers have their own version on sale, often offering a size or colour variation that was not available in the original product.

Varieties of concrete block pavers:

Modern rectangular - as seen all over the UK. 200x100mm rectangular blocks usually laid in a herringbone pattern. Very, very popular. Huge range available.

Tumbled or Antique Block - These blocks are shaped and/or treated to re-create a natural, sett-like block. Can be very attractive, especially on older properties, and are cheaper to install than real setts or cobbles. Good range of choice for sizes and colours. A little more expensive than the modern rectangular blocks.

Shaped Blocks - These blocks are special shapes that form an interlocking pattern. Hexagons, octagons and many other shapes are available in a wide range of colours and shapes
 

Emsworth Web Designs © 2008