What are the types and colors of paving slabs? Production methods and types of paving slabs. Material Specifications

The modern building materials market is able to offer paving slabs produced in two ways - vibrocompression or vibration casting. The choice of one type of material or another should be based on what functions it will need to perform in the future.

Paving areas and paths of any configuration and size.
Possibility to remove tiles for carrying out repair work with its further installation in place.
No evaporation in the summer heat.

To the disadvantages paving slabs include the risk of shrinkage in case improper installation coverings.

Basic requirements for paving slabs

Strength - not lower than 30 MPa/cm2.
Frost resistance – at least F200 (number of thawing and freezing cycles).
Water absorption should not exceed 5% by weight.
Abrasion per year – no more than 0.7 g/cm2.

This material is produced using vibration casting technology and is not intended for use as a surface for roads subject to heavy loads. Cast paving stones – the best choice for paving garden paths and sites near houses and dachas, as well as in places where there is no traffic.

Due to the simplicity of the production process, vibration-cast tiles began to be produced in an artisanal way, which significantly increased the risk of purchasing low-quality products.

When choosing a material, it is better to give preference to products large companies engaged in the production of paving slabs than small manufacturers, most of whom do not comply with the requirements regarding production technology and material composition.

Advantages of vibrocast tiles:

Wide selection of colors and shades. In the production of cast paving stones it is used white cement. To obtain the desired shade, the manufacturer adds pigment to the composition. If the proportions are violated, the quality of the concrete may decrease. That is why it is better to purchase material from large manufacturers who control the technical characteristics of their products.
Possibility of producing products different forms.

Vibropressed tiles

This material is suitable for installation in places subject to intensive use, for example, city sidewalks, roadways. If you plan to pave a road with heavy traffic, it is best to use paving stones small sizes and it should be placed on a concrete pad. How smaller area parts, the more evenly the load is distributed. This approach will ensure the integrity of the coating for many years.

The vibrocompression method involves the use of expensive equipment, and the technical process itself is focused on industrial production. Therefore, vibropressed tiles are not produced in a handicraft way. However, in terms of variety of shapes and colors, it is inferior to its vibro-cast analogue, but surpasses it in such parameters as strength and resistance to low temperatures.

The modern market offers an impressive selection of this material. Today you can easily purchase plain and colored paving slabs, materials with smooth and matte surfaces, embossed or patterned options. The most popular are:

Paving stones. Extremely easy to install and practical. Over the years, a garden path or area paved with paving stones takes on a certain antique look. Using material different colors you can create compositions with a pattern.
Gzhelka. Unlike classic tiles with a pattern divided into 4 parts by stripes, gzhelka implies a repetition of the image of changing sizes
Cobweb, scales, mesh. Such patterns look very original. Today you can buy paving slabs that look like they are covered with fish scales. The mesh looks great on multi-colored paving stones, dividing it into equal squares, so-called cells. There is a tile with a spider web pattern.
Tuchka. There is a pattern on the surface of the material that follows the contours of the earth's surface. Plant and floral motifs can also serve as a pattern.
Maple leaf, honeycomb, clover leaf. Spectacular masonry is created not only by using patterned or colored paving stones, but also by unusual shape. Tiles made in the form of a maple or clover leaf, or in the form of a honeycomb, are more labor-intensive to install, but allow you to get a result that meets your wildest expectations.

Coil. The convex relief of the paving stones resembles lying coils. In addition to the fact that this material can be used to create a special atmosphere of comfort, it also has high anti-slip properties, which are fully manifested in winter time.
"Caso". This option will appeal to connoisseurs of Gothic ornaments. When laying the material, the corners are cut, resulting in an intricate geometric pattern.
Fleece. Using different tones of paving slabs you can create a garden path of unsurpassed beauty.

It is quite difficult to recognize the quality of paving stones by appearance. Recommendations from bona fide manufacturing companies can help in this matter:

High-quality paving slabs can have a rich bright color. This result is achieved through the use of special pigments in clearly defined proportions.

Too bright a color indicates an overdose of dye, which can negatively affect the strength of the material.

The mirror surface of paving stones is the result of adding additives or water to the concrete. However, if the presence of special additives only improves the characteristics of concrete, then water is the first enemy of paving stones. “Watery” tiles make a dull sound when they hit each other, while high-quality paving stones make a ringing sound.

The cost of the material cannot be low, because its production involves modern, expensive equipment, high-quality mixtures, and experienced specialists. When purchasing paving slabs, ask how long the manufacturing company has been working in this area, and ask for a quality certificate.
When purchasing paving stones, first calculate the required quantity. Sometimes it can be very difficult to purchase missing material. At the same time, we should not forget that even in the party itself quality tiles may contain up to 5% defective (allowed by international (ISO) and European (EN) standards). Don't forget about the accompanying materials.

The quantity of paving stones ordered should be 7-10% greater than the area to be covered. The size of the “stock” of tiles depends not only on the size of the facing surface and the shape of the material, but also on the installation method.

As the level of solvency increases, many are trying to improve their own living quarters and garden plots.

In this case, a variety of facing materials are used, as well as paving slabs.

A smooth and hard surface makes it possible for people to move around calmly, to create an image for various enterprises and various public organizations.

In this article, several of the most popular varieties of paving slabs are presented to everyone for information.

This type involves the use of vibration devices. The material is poured on a special machine.

The visual characteristics and quality of the mixture produced are practically no different from natural stone. In some parameters, vibrocast tiles are even superior to natural materials.

Vibrocast tiles include:

small crushed stone;
plasticizers;
sand;
cement;
dye.

The composition of the mixture for production is not complicated, but the requirements for the quality of raw materials remain quite high. There should be no lime or acids in the screenings and crushed stone. If this requirement is not met, voids will form in the products.

For vibrocast tiles, only coarse sand is used. A suitable class of cement is M500, it is desirable that it does not contain additives.

In order to obtain a product of sufficient quality, it is necessary to correctly comply with all these requirements.

Types of paving slabs: vibrocast photo

The work of making the mixture is done only by hand. The prepared concrete is poured into molds, which in most cases are rubber products.

The containers are pre-treated with machine oil, then the solution is poured into them. On a special one, all the air is removed from the mixture. The operating time of the vibrating platform is approximately 5 minutes.

To increase strength, the molds are placed in a warm room where the sun's rays do not penetrate. Paving slabs in finished form placed on pallets.

Vibropressed

Vibropressed tiles are additionally strengthened by compression. Special mechanisms allow you to apply vertical pressure to forms with concrete mixture. At the same time, vibration is applied to the molds.

Vibropress for tile production

In this way, you can get tiles with high densities. Vibrocompression plants are much more expensive and cost from 30-50 thousand dollars. For this reason, the tile manufacturer includes the cost of operating the equipment in the price of the products.

The concrete mixture for vibropressed tiles includes:

sand;
plasticizers;
water;
cement (preferably use grade M-500);
small crushed stone;
special hydrophobic additives.

The distinctive features of vibrocast tiles are the addition of a certain amount of water to the concrete mixture.

Dry mixtures are used for production. Since the materials do not have sufficient mobility, the tile mold cannot be filled without additional pressing.

The minimum amount of moisture used in the production of vibropressed tiles has a positive effect on strength finishing materials, resistance to low temperatures.

Vibropressed tiles

A variety of additives and additives can increase the resistance of materials to moisture and abrasion. There are known situations where tiles were laid around the 70s. 20th century, but her quality characteristics persisted until approximately 2010.

Compound cement mixture for such materials is not regulated state standards For this reason, some manufacturers use a variety of additives and develop new suitable proportions to increase the strength of products under environmental influences.

Due to the small volume of water used to make the cement mixture, the strength of finishing materials increases threefold compared to vibrocast tiles.

Hyper-pressed

Hyperpressed tiles are also created using dry compression technology. Also, during the manufacturing process, special additional techniques are used, with the help of which the quality characteristics of the developed products increase significantly.

The technology for manufacturing hyper-pressed tiles involves the following additional steps:

special admixtures are used to increase the efficiency of the semi-dry pressing technology and improve the visual characteristics of the finished tiles. It should be noted that the efficiency of using additional components increases if they are added to the mixture in advance;
the materials used are pre-classified, and a detailed study of the composition of all components used is carried out. The moisture content of the concrete mixture, which includes marble limestone, as well as high-quality cement, is measured;
The strength of the tile increases due to the pre-compression procedure.

In most examples, hyperpressing is used in the production of cement mixtures, the components of which are special mineral additives.

The technology involves squeezing the initial solution, the humidity of which is from 8 to 10%. The power of the applied pressure in such a situation should correspond to a minimum of 20 MPa.

Hyperpressed tiles

Today, hyperpressed tiles are the highest quality among all analogues. Such construction material endowed with sufficiently high strength characteristics and resistant to low temperatures. The material is endowed with similar properties due to the absence of voids in the cement mixture with the addition of limestone.

To make paving slabs much stronger, they are steamed in a specially designed chamber. There is a certain temperature regime. After completing this procedure, paving slabs can be stored for several days in a warehouse.

Polymer sand

In construction, polymer-based paving slab manufacturing technologies are often used.

Polymer sand tiles are endowed with high strength characteristics and advantages over other types of products.

Many homeowners prefer this material when choosing tiles for landscaping their gardens.

When producing polymer sand products, qualified specialists are required to comply with the current technical regulations.

The tiles are resistant to temperature changes, cement dust during installation facing materials doesn't appear. The relatively high plasticity of the material preserves the integrity of cement products.

Such tiles can be washed without much difficulty; moisture is not absorbed into the material, so the service life of such equipment remains relatively high. The material tolerates winter frosts well.

Polymer sand tiles

Each buyer is given the opportunity to choose the appropriate shade and shape of the product. Despite the relatively large dimensions of polymer sand products, their weight is small. Such tiles are installed on special supporting elements.

If such material is used to install the roof, it is necessary to lay the tiles on a pre-equipped waterproofing layer. These products can be used as plinth cladding or used to equip borders.

75% of the total amount of materials used in the manufacture of polymer sand tiles is ordinary quarry sand.

Video on the topic

About the types of paving slabs, photos and names, as well as recommendations regarding the choice of materials:

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.

Split is an example of rough processing, whose shape is worked out only 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:

The customer can choose the thickness of the finished product he needs;
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, 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. The normal value for paving stones is 0.4 g/cm2.
Weight and size— paving stones can be of various sizes and weights. 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:

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

Using vibratory casting, it is possible to obtain paving stones of various colors, shapes and with excellent surface quality, which 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. The manufacturing technology of such material comes down to giving source material required form. 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 the following types:

Chipped - obtained by splitting large granite blocks into smaller ones, and the latter are quite uneven in shape.
Sawn - differs in that it is made by cutting into small parts, each of which has a smooth and even surface.
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 type of material, such as colored paving stones, looks very beautiful and interesting. 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 public places, are 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 contamination during operation, since it has a 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 are 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.

LED paving stones on solar powered is 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:

The formation of puddles is minimized as waste and defrosted water seeps through the seams between the luggage.
The material is environmentally friendly - when heated, no harmful substances or resins are released into the air, as, for example, when heating asphalt.
An important advantage of paving stones is the durability of the material, which amounts to tens or even hundreds of years.
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.

Necessary measure. This is how the appearance of paving slabs is interpreted from a historical point of view. Its base is concrete. The first version of the material was created in the 6th millennium BC.

The discovery of a 25-centimeter layer of lime and gravel was made on the lands of Yugoslavia. A semblance of concrete served as the floor in one of the ancient houses. However, paving slabs began to be produced only in the 19th century.

Urban and population growth led to shortages natural stone for paving roads, sidewalks. I had to come up with an alternative. The Dutch were the pioneers. The first paving slabs paved the road from Amsterdam to Haarlem.

The “route” has been preserved to this day. However, technology and the appearance of tiles have changed. The first ones were miniature, simple in shape. What kind of tile does he offer? modern market?

Types of paving slabs

Solid slabs of natural stone are scarce. However, the products did not completely leave the market. Paving slabs still come in:

Granite. Such products are called paving stones. Granite is a volcanic rock composed of grains of quartz and plagioclase. These are two minerals, both oxides. In quartz, oxygen is combined with silicon, and in plagioclase with iron. Due to the integrity of the stone, paving stones are stronger than other types of paving slabs. Even with minimum thickness The cutting coating lasts for 25 years. However, slabs are also made from sandstone. This rock is softer than granite, more friable and wears out faster.
Clay. Such tiles are otherwise called clinker tiles. Like bricks, the products are fired. Clay is chosen with a high metal content. When fired, their particles in the rock are sintered, giving the products special strength. Minimum service life clay covering- 15 years.
Concrete. The material consists of a binder. Usually it is cement, but sometimes it is lime. Water thins the mixture for use. The filler is crushed stone, pebbles, and sand. For strength, you can add granite chips or reinforcing elements such as mesh. Eventually, concrete paving slabs serves on average 7-10 years.
Polymer. Such paving slabs contains plasticizers and polyethylene. They replace cement, that is, they serve as a binder. The filler is sand. By eliminating cement, the final product is 100% waterproof, chemically non-reactive and lightweight. Serves polymer coating minimum 12 years.
Rubber. It no longer contains natural ingredients. Polymer granules are added to polyurethane binders. The rubber coating is as flexible and springy as possible. This reduces injuries from falls. Therefore, stadiums and playgrounds are often covered with rubber products. The coating can last up to 20 years.

Products are also divided by thickness. The larger it is, the more durable and reliable the coating is compared to other offerings in its class. Products are also classified according to their design features.

Nothing is impossible molds for paving slabs. In addition to standard squares, rectangles, rhombuses and other geometric standards, it is possible to produce blocks in the form of:

turtles, lions, fish and other animals
leaves, flowers, tree trunk cuts
gears, bolts and other urban elements
sea shells, gem crystals

Design variations are made to order. The production of standard products has been put on stream. So, square paving slabs always on sale. Texture variations available. There are smooth options, ribbed, tuberculate.

Production of paving slabs depends on its type. If products are made from natural rocks, stone cutting machines are used. Cars must have humidification systems. Dry dust hovers in the production area, preventing normal work, and it also dulls the knives.

Others types of paving slabs go through the kneading stage. Masters do not work with already ready-made material, but create it from components. In case of:

Using clinker tiles, shale clay with a high metal content is crushed and mixed thoroughly, obtaining a uniform tone. Then 23% water is added to the rock and mixed again. More liquid will make the tile porous, and less will cause it to crumble and crack. The finished mass is passed through an extruder. This is a device with specified holes. The output is tiles of the desired shape. The size of the products is approximately 0.1 larger than the final one. The product shrinks during firing. It serves as the final stage of production. At first - drying chamber and then bake with minimum temperature at 1050 degrees Celsius.
Concrete products also combine components with water. There are 2 ways to form slabs. Vibratory casting is inexpensive. It is enough to pour the mixture into molds and place it on a shaking table. The vibrations compact the concrete, displacing water. Then the products are dried. It is enough to expose the goods to the sun.

Second production path concrete tiles- vibration pressing. Shaking adds pressure on the mixture. Accordingly, not only a vibrating table is required, but also a press. The force of pressure of the latter is important. The greater the impact, the denser and more reliable the final product.

Polymer tiles start by sifting and calcining the sand. Then it is mixed in polyethylene. The mixture is heated to 250 Celsius. Plasticizers and dyes are added to the molten substance. The resulting mass is poured into the mold. They are also polymer. Finished slabs are easier to separate from these. They, as in the case of concrete ones, can only be compacted on a vibrating table or also under a press.
Rubber tiles polymer glue mixed with rubber crumbs and dye. The process takes place in a mixer. Ready mixture poured into molds. After compaction on the table, a press is required. Otherwise, the product turns out to be fragile and does not last even 5 years. Production ends with heat treatment. Due to this, the rubber melts, becomes smooth, and more durable.

Paving slabs are divided not only by production method, but also by the nature of the business. There is done DIY paving slabs, but there is a factory one. The latter can be certified, comply with GOST and be labeled, or it can be produced according to a free scheme, so to speak.

How to choose paving slabs

The main criterion when choosing paving slabs is their purpose. If a sports facility or children's playground is being prepared, it is ideal rubber cover. When an ancient quarter is being restored, where everything is made of natural stone, it is logical to use tiles made from rock sections.

But on modern city streets, budget concrete products with an urban look are in place. Where colors need to be added, polymer products are purchased. It has the widest and most saturated color palette.

If you plan to put a serious load on the coating, you should choose natural or vibropressed products. Options made without additional pressure wear out faster.

It is also worth paying attention to the thickness of the slabs. Thin ones are easier to break and sag. Such paving slabs will do for paths in the garden, but not for paving the pedestrian part in the center of the metropolis.

Other criteria for choosing paving slabs include:

design that must match the style of the object where the coating is installed
certification and marking indicating compliance with production standards
price of paving slabs, because sometimes you need to meet a certain budget
delivery distance, since transporting tiles from afar is expensive, there is a risk of damage to the goods in transit
trust in a specific manufacturer with whom you have already worked, or about whom the reviews are encouraging
frost resistance, important in regions with harsh climates, is determined by the grade of concrete or compliance with GOST 10060-2012
moisture resistance, necessary any paving slabs and maximum for stone, polymer, rubber variations
relief making the coating less slippery

It is worth considering that the shape of the slabs determines their laying pattern and the degree of complexity of joining with the curb. It's easier to work with blocks of simple contours.

Laying paving slabs

Laying paving slabs starts with a drawing. It takes into account the color of the coating. Depending on the dimensional parameters of the selected product, it is calculated required amount slabs Next, you need to purchase them, adding 10% for scraps and blemishes, and prepare the base. To do this you need:

Remove 15-20 centimeters of turf.
Remove roots, stones, and weeds.
If the site is not sloping, you need to organize drainage. Otherwise, the water will “stand” on the tiles.
Compact the work surface.
Dig grooves for curbs.
Place a crushed stone cushion on the base. Its thickness should be 10-15 centimeters. Such a mass is difficult to compact. Therefore, it is advisable to pour it in 2 stages.
Level and compact the pillow.
Use a building level to check the evenness of the crushed stone layer.
Hose the area three or four times and let the base sit for a day.
While the work site is settling, you can make a curb. Usually it is poured with concrete or laid out with ready-made curb blocks.
A day later, place a layer on the crushed stone river sand. 5 centimeters are poured. Compacted to 2-3 pieces.
Moisten the sand.
Check that the layer of sand ensures that the tiles are laid 1 centimeter above the base.
Place a net on the sand. It will reinforce the base.
Cover the mesh with dry cement-sand mixture. The layer thickness should be 1-2 centimeters. It is leveled first with a rake, then metal profile.
Spill the cement-sand mixture with water.

These 16 stages are preparatory and take up the lion's share of time. The installation process itself is simpler. However, without a well-prepared foundation, even good coverage won't last long. Somewhere the slabs will fail, somewhere the blocks will be squeezed out. Cracks are possible in other places.

When laying tiles, it is also necessary to use a building level. It can be used to track:

there were no raised or depressed slabs
uniform subsidence of the base under the weight of the coating

The last parameter can be monitored by stretched cords. However, they are also ranked by level. Attached to cement mortar, adjusting rubber mallet. They split it by first cutting it with a grinder.

You can make a continuous cut, but this increases the dustiness of the work. Taken paving slabs for cottages, or a museum, the suspension in the air spoils the mood, clogs the respiratory tract, and gets into the eyes. Therefore, you need to work in a mask and glasses.

Price of paving slabs

Price of paving slabs largely depends on the material and method of manufacture. The cost is billed per square meter. If this meter:

From marble of the first category, they will ask about 1800 rubles. For a stone of the second category you will have to pay 1400.
From a coil, the price per square will be approximately 2100 rubles.
Sandstone, they will ask for around 1500 rubles.
Granite, you will have to pay at least 2 thousand rubles.

The cost is affected not only by the class of the stone, that is, the number of cracks and foreign inclusions in it, but also by the thickness of the cut. For concrete tiles, price factors are thickness and production method.

For vibration-cast blocks they ask for about 20% less than for extruded ones. A square of the latter costs an average of 750 rubles. Vibro-cast tiles can be purchased for 500.

A square of clinker tiles costs from 300 rubles. This is the manufacturer's price. If you buy from a third-party store, you will have to pay at least 400 rubles. This is the cost of standard collections. Blocks of complex shapes cost 30-40% more.

Rubber tiles costs from 300 rubles per square meter. However, this is the cost of the thinnest black blocks. On the picture like this paving slabs It may be attractive, but it will not withstand a heavy load. If you buy blocks 4-6 centimeters wide, a square will cost about 1,700 rubles.

The use of paving slabs in landscaping has gained popularity last years large-scale character. In many Russian cities, including the capital, asphalt pavements are being replaced with tiles everywhere. 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 slabs are durable, reliable, have a long service life and are aesthetically pleasing. appearance.

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 manufactured using one of two 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 park landscapes, 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 in completely different shapes 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. Such a difference in the ratios of length, width and thickness, that is geometric dimensions, tried to systematize 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 conditions of intensive use in difficult conditions. 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. The variety of shapes and colors of paving slabs make it easy to implement any design solution for 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 a paving slab coating is the possibility of its dismantling during repair work on communications and subsequent re-laying upon 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, a somewhat rough surface of the tiles and the impossibility of making shaped shapes.

Manufacturing by vibration casting

The technology is somewhat simpler than that discussed above. The concrete mixture is placed into plastic or rubber molds that are placed 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.

According to their own operational 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, with high strength, it is 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 manufacture according to independently developed technical specifications on 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.