Paving slabs appeared in our country quite recently - in the 90s - and was a clear contrast to the materials that were used at that time, so it very quickly conquered the construction market and became very popular, as a result of which the paving slab production business continues to this day the day is very relevant. The main advantages that explain the popularity of paving slabs are their ease of installation, sophisticated look and durability.
Here you will look at everything related to its production: equipment (vibrating table, machine, vibropress), molds, manufacturing technology.
Business plan
We will not consider resume points, market analysis and organizational plan for the production of paving slabs here, because in all business plans they are almost identical, and we will consider only the most basic information with prices that will help you in drawing up your business plan, because it is different for each company.
If you don’t know how to write one, you can download a business plan template, which is the source for any example.
Necessary equipment
In this case, you will need the following minimum equipment for the production of paving slabs:
- Concrete mixer;
- Pouring vibrating table;
- Stripping vibrating table with a set of frames for laying out;
The cost of this minimum set machines will amount to 100-500 thousand rubles. If you like convenience and speed, then it would be better to purchase a stationary brick press for the production of paving slabs - an automated and semi-automatic line for the production of tiles and similar concrete products, but it costs from 1.5 million rubles.
Vibropress for the production of paving slabs and other concrete products / Line price 1.5 million rubles
It is worth immediately noting that these machines and lines are not specialized, i.e. they can be used to make not only paving slabs, but also other similar products: various blocks, bricks, borders. The only thing needed for this is manufacturing molds. All this is a huge advantage of this business.
In addition, you will also need a transformer, a hydraulic cart, a loader (in case you decide to transfer the finished mixture without your hands), shovels, trowels, wheelbarrows and similar little things.
It is not enough to have only equipment, because one of the key components is molds for the production of paving slabs. They are the main ones consumables. They look like this:
They are inexpensive - from 20 to 100 rubles apiece. The price depends on the complexity of their execution and the material spent on them. They are made of plastic.
Manufacturing technology
The process itself is quite simple and does not require any special skills. The entire technology for the production of paving slabs and the entire process looks like this (see video):
Concrete mixture recipe
- Textured layer. It provides basic qualitative indicators tiles Composition of one cubic meter ready mixture concrete: cement - 500 kg, crushed stone with sand (2:1), plasticizing additives - consumption depending on the additive used, dye - 7.5-12 kg.
- Base layer. It sets the paving slabs to the thickness you desire and is the main carrier of strength. Composition of one cubic meter ready-made concrete: cement - 250 kg, crushed stone with sand (1:1), plasticizing additives - consumption, depending on the additive used, dye - no.
Manufacturing process
Let's consider the technology using conventional equipment:
- It is necessary to prepare concrete with pigment in a smaller concrete mixer (see paragraph “Preparation of pigment”), and in a larger concrete mixer without pigment.
- We lay out the forms of paving slabs close to each other on a vibrating table.
- It is necessary to spread colored concrete in a layer of 1-2 cm (covering as much as possible the bottom of the form). When making regular gray paving slabs, no dye is required.
- Next, you need to turn on the vibrator for 5-10 seconds. During this time, the concrete will cover the bottom with an even layer. The vibrations of the vibrating table top should be moderate.
- Add concrete without pigment to the molds up to their edges. Turn on the vibrator for another 5-10 seconds. Excess concrete must be cut off with a metal corner, aligning it along the edge.
- After filling the paving slabs with concrete and finishing the vibration, thoroughly smooth (trowel) the solution in the molds. If the amount of concrete is not enough, then you need to add it to the solution and rub it in without vibration. Place the smoothed shapes of the tiles on pallets in layers, laying each layer with sheets of plastic. The total number of layers should be no more than 10.
- Cover the trays with filled forms with plastic wrap. This is to prevent it from drying out. They are allowed to be moved no earlier than 48 hours after the procedure for pouring the tiles.
- Before knocking out tiles for sidewalks, it is necessary to heat them to 60-70 degrees Celsius in a water bath, keeping each one in it for no more than 2 minutes. The heated form is placed on a vibrating table for knocking out paving slabs. It should be noted that stripping without preheating shortens the service life of the mold by approximately 30% and can lead to defects finished products, especially for thin tiles.
- Drying of finished products under natural conditions occurs within 2 days. Pallets with products can be moved no earlier than 48 hours after pouring.
- After stripping, the paving slabs are laid on Euro pallets face to face, tying them with packing tape. To ensure further hardening of the concrete and preserve the presentation of the products, they must be covered with polyethylene shrink or stretch film.
- In summer, paving slabs are released when they reach 70% of the design strength, which approximately corresponds to 7 days of concrete hardening, counting from the moment of its manufacture. In winter, tempering must be done when 100% of the design strength is reached (28 days from the moment the concrete is prepared).
Preparation of pigment
Inorganic powder pigments must be mixed with water before use until a uniform, creamy consistency is formed. Then this mixture is infused in this form for at least 1 hour. This is necessary to increase the dispersion of pigments, the value of which characterizes the coloring ability of sidewalk tiles.
Remember that this is a rather expensive component of concrete; in addition, an increase in its content deteriorates the quality of concrete; therefore, a decrease in its proportion in concrete with sufficient saturation is desirable. This prepared dye can be stored for a long time, because... has a stable formula, but the color can become even brighter during storage, which makes its addition to paving slabs a little economical, because there will be an increase in pigment dispersion. Before adding concrete to the mixture, it must be mixed.
PS: Plastic molds for the production of paving slabs are usually washed in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid (5-7%). You can use higher concentrations, but this will be dangerous for you. After washing in acid, you need to rinse them with additional water.
16263 0
Paths in a personal or garden plot, paved with paving slabs, are functional and aesthetic. Pavers are strong, durable, easy to maintain and attractive. But the costs of such a coating, if we are talking about purchasing several tens of square meters of tiles, are significant. Therefore, craftsmen, in order to save money, using technologies available for home conditions, have been successfully making paving slabs with their own hands for several years.
The quality of paving slabs depends on adherence to technology and the correct recipe
Technology selection
There are two ways to produce paving slabs:
- vibration pressing;
- vibration casting.
The first method for producing tiles at home is not suitable by definition - there is nothing with which to press. And making high-quality paving stones with your own hands using the vibration casting method is quite possible.
Manufacturers offer the following types of molds for the production of paving stones:
- polyurethane – allow you to make up to 100 molding revolutions;
- made of plastic – up to 250 rpm;
- made of plastic rubber - more than 500 cycles.
The price of products depends on the number of molding cycles, therefore high price rubber and plastic molds involves their use in the production of large volumes of tiles, and polyurethane products are quite accessible to the average buyer. By purchasing 5 molds, you can make 500 pieces of paving slabs with your own hands, and with careful handling you can make even more.
Molds for casting tiles
Molding templates for making paving stones
For casting paving slabs “on site”, template molds are used in the form of a frame of partitions, reminiscent of a honeycomb irregular shape, which you can buy or make yourself. Having laid such a frame on a properly prepared base, the honeycombs are filled with concrete. After a few hours, the template is removed, and instead of honeycombs, ready-made flat concrete fragments remain on the base, between which only the seams need to be arranged.
In addition, if paving stones are planned to be laid, for example, on auxiliary paths garden plot, and the requirements for it are low, then the molds for casting such tiles can be made with your own hands.
To make paving stones, first of all you need to stock up on special molds for casting
Self-production of casting molds
DIY paving slabs.
The universal format of paving slabs is a square with a side of 30 cm. This size provides the necessary strength when working in bending and is convenient for cutting the product in half or into 4 parts when you need to adjust the material. Therefore, from smoothly planed wooden blocks with a cross-section of 60 x 30 mm, you need to make a frame with your own hands internal dimensions 30 x 30 cm and 60 mm deep. It is better to assemble the frame using self-tapping screws, which later, when removing the frozen product, will be easy to unscrew and then return to its place.
To form a pattern on the front side of future paving slabs, select an elastic base with a corrugated surface, for example, a rubber mat with a large pattern, and place the mold frame on it.
Before molding the sides, the frames and the shaped base are coated with a thin layer of kitchen dishwashing gel using a brush.
To ensure that the process of making tiles with your own hands does not drag on for months or years, you need to make at least 10 molds.
Making paving slabs with your own hands is a rather labor-intensive process.
Disposable ones can be used as molds for small format paving slabs. plastic containers for packaging various products, filling them with a solution to a fixed depth. The turnover of such “forms” is 5-10 cycles, but this is compensated by the insignificant cost of used boxes.
Technology for manufacturing paving slabs using vibration casting method
This method consists of pouring cement-based mortar into special forms with simultaneous or subsequent compaction of the contents by vibration.
Vibration casting can be produced using single-layer and two-layer technology.
Single layer method
Single-layer technology consists of filling the molds with a solution, compacting them on a vibrating table, followed by keeping the products in the molds for two days and removing the formwork. The strength and aesthetics of such tiles are lower than those of two-layer paving stones made by vibration casting, so they are used for paving utility areas that do not require high aesthetics.
Making vibropressed paving slabs is easier than making vibrocast ones
Double-layer vibration casting
When pouring in two layers, a solution with a coloring pigment is poured into the molds in a layer of 1-2 cm while simultaneously vibrating. On top of the colored solution, without waiting for the front layer to set, the composition of the base layer without dye is poured flush with the edges of the molds and subjected to vibration for 15-30 seconds. After 2 days, the products are removed from the molds and stored for drying in a cool place.
Regardless of the number of layers, the forms filled with mortar are covered with plastic film to prevent premature evaporation of moisture and partial loss of strength of the paving stones.
The purpose of the facing layer is to increase the strength characteristics and aesthetics of paving slabs. This layer is a durable shell with a glossy surface, painted in the selected color by adding a dye to the solution. If instead of gray cement M500 is used white cement the same brand, then the colored front layer can be made saturated, without a gray tint.
Making your own mortar for paving stones is economical option
Components of face concrete
To make the front layer durable, uniform and glossy, the solution must include the following materials:
- cement M500 (preferably white);
- crushed stone (granite, marble, gravel) fraction 5-10 mm;
- sifted sand in the ratio;
- water;
- color;
- dispersant.
Concrete recipe for forming the face layer
When mixing the front layer, the weight ratio of the amount of cement and AHP is 1:2.
Using the example of a specific operation, we will consider the procedure for mixing the face layer solution in a concrete mixer. 10 liters of water are poured into the mixer, to which dye is first added in the case of the production of colored paving stones. Then 750 grams of an aqueous dispersant solution are poured into it, the concrete mixer is turned on and 3 buckets of ACHPS and Portland cement M500 are poured in succession. After mixing for a minute, 3 more buckets of screenings are added to the concrete mixer.
Concrete is mixed in a concrete mixer in a certain sequence
Mixing is carried out for 15-20 minutes until the solution acquires a homogeneous consistency of thick sour cream, after which the mass is transferred from the concrete mixer to the tub, and molding can be done.
The amount of color in the solution should be no more than 5% of the batch volume. The proportion used must be remembered in case you need to make additional batches.
Forming the face layer of tiles in a mold
After lubricating the inner surface of the molds, the prepared solution is spread into them in a layer of 1-2 cm and compacted by vibration. In the absence of a vibrating table, you can get by by installing the molded products on a sheet of iron and tapping from below rubber mallet. Particularly savvy craftsmen use for vibration washing machine, on which forms are placed when the centrifuge is running in spin mode.
The main difference between paving stones and paving slabs is their shape
Base layer solution components
In the formulation of the solution forming the main layer, the dispersant is replaced by a plasticizer. In the process of preparing the solution, one part of M500 cement is mixed with three parts of crushed stone-sand mixture. The plasticizer is added in the same amount as the dispersant to the front layer.
How to mix concrete to pour the base layer
Let's consider the technology for producing a specific portion of the solution using a concrete mixer.
750 grams of an aqueous solution of plasticizer are stirred in 12 liters of water, after which 5 buckets of AHP and 3 buckets of Portland cement M500 are sequentially poured into a running mixer with liquid, after which another 3-4 buckets of screenings are added. There is no need to color the base material of paving slabs. The concrete is mixed for about a quarter of an hour and, upon reaching the consistency of sour cream, is discharged into the tub.
To mix concrete per 1 square meter at home. paving stones 6 cm thick, you will need:
- Crushed stone-sand mixture – 90 kg;
- Cement M500 – 25 kg;
- Dispersant – 120 grams;
- Plasticizer – 100 grams;
- Dye – 600-800 grams.
Reinforcement of paving stones and pouring the base layer
To increase the strength of the tiles, you can reinforce the product yourself. Ideally suited as reinforcement would be a “cut-out” (expanded steel sheet) cut to size, made from steel sheet 1 or 2 mm thick. The grooved pieces are laid on top of the mortar of the tile face and covered with concrete flush with the edges of the forms. Reinforcement of products at home can also be done using pieces of thick wire or smooth rolled reinforcement placed crosswise, or steel mesh.
To ensure the solidity of the tile, the filling of the second layer is carried out no later than 20 minutes after the formation of the first.
After compacting the solution by vibrating, the molds are laid on a horizontal surface in a cool place for two days until the concrete hardens.
Modern paving slabs are suitable for arranging urban or suburban courtyards
Stripping molds and removing tiles
If the mold is made with your own hands from wooden blocks, then the fastening screws are unscrewed at one of the joints, after which the frame is moved apart and the product is released. The paving stones are given another 10 days to gain strength and dry, laying the tiles in one layer in a cool room.
If polyurethane molds were used to produce the tiles, then the mold with the product is placed in a bath of warm (60 degrees) water for a couple of minutes to soften the polymer, after which the tile is removed and also placed in a cool place for 10 days until it is finally ready for use.
Considering that the tile must be in the mold for two days, you can, having 10 molds at your disposal, daily remove 5 finished products and make 5 further molds.
Over the past decade, the appearance of city streets has become firmly established with sidewalks, squares, huge squares and modest paths laid with multi-colored tiles.
And paving stones are one of the most acceptable, from a practical and aesthetic point of view, options for street design.
Scheme for the production of tiles by continuous rolling: 1 - Electric hoist, 2 - Batch loader hopper, 3 - Direct heating bath furnace, 4 - Glass melt converter, 5 - Rolling machine, 6 - Annealing furnace, 7 - Set installation mosaic tiles into the carpet, 8 - Trolley.
A wide selection of materials, tools and advanced technology allows us to produce the most different colors and forms. Both in the city limits and in homestead construction, there is always a place for it.
The production process of paving slabs and paving stones is regulated by the technological map for the production of concrete paving slabs, which provides for the following stages:
- concrete preparation;
- forming slabs from concrete mixture;
- curing and drying of products;
- demolding;
- storage organization.
Preparation of concrete mixture for the production of paving slabs
The mold is manufactured in production using both traditional and latest technologies.
The concrete mixture for the production of paving stones and paving slabs is prepared from additive-free Portland cement M 500 D0 (GOST 10178-85) for road surfaces, sand with a size of at least the second fineness module and small crushed granite stone with a fraction size of 0.5-0.1 or screenings taken in proportions 1:1, mineral additives plasticizer and dispersant, which significantly increase the quality of finished products, as well as pigments made on the basis of iron oxide compounds for the preparation of colored paving slabs. The technology for preparing concrete mixture involves the following steps:
Preparing the mixture for the front layer. The concrete for this layer must be highly durable and provide a glossy appearance. Abrasion should not exceed 0.7 g/cm2. Achieving these guidelines is ensured by strict adherence to proportions:
- 1 part cement;
- 2 parts of a mixture of crushed stone and sand;
- 0.02 parts dispersant;
- pigments.
High-quality vibropressed paving slabs will last for decades.
When preparing concrete for the facing layer of paving stones and paving slabs, it is necessary to take into account that the different conditions cement has different effects on color shade. Therefore, it is advisable to use cement from one manufacturer for production. The amount of pigment is selected experimentally depending on the desired color intensity. The pigment is mixed with cement in dry form. This technology allows you to obtain a more uniform color. The dispersant is poured before use hot water(about 60°C) in a ratio of 1:2.5 and is added at the end of concrete preparation. It liquefies concrete, which ensures uniform spreading of the mixture over the form and glossy surface finished product. Direct preparation of the solution is carried out in the following order:
- 1 part of water, 3 parts of screenings with sand, 3 parts of cement and another 3 parts of screenings with sand are poured into the concrete mixer. The solution is kneaded for 10-12 minutes;
- A liquid dispersant is added to the composition prepared in this way and the solution is kneaded for another 3-5 minutes until it is completely ready.
The consistency of the finished solution should be similar to thick sour cream.
To prepare the second layer, 1 part of water is poured into a concrete mixer, then 5 parts of a mixture of sand and screenings, 3 parts of cement, 4 parts of screenings with sand and 0.01 part of a plasticizer, prepared using the same technology as the dispersant, are added. The mixture is stirred for 10-15 minutes.
Return to contents
Forming paving stones and paving slabs
The machine for the production of paving slabs is designed for the production of concrete paving stones, as well as for replacing forming equipment.
In the process of producing paving slabs, molding is of paramount importance. Routing provides for laying paving stones with vertical edges. Otherwise, the paving process loses its rhythm and the quality of the sidewalk becomes poor. Therefore, it is necessary to begin work on molding paving slabs with careful preparation of the forms.
Before putting them into operation, they must be cleaned and lubricated. Can be used as a lubricant vegetable oils, but it’s better if it’s special lubricants. Emulsol SYA-3, produced in England, and OPL-1, produced in Russia, have proven themselves well. The lubricant is applied at a temperature not lower than 18°C, in a very thin layer, almost like a film, otherwise shells may appear on the surface of the tile. Polymer (polyurethane) and rubber molds, as a rule, do not require lubrication. However, practice shows that when large sizes exceeding 40 cm, it is better to lubricate the inner surface of the molds. In this case, the process of removing the finished product from the mold is greatly facilitated. It is absolutely unacceptable to use lubricants containing petroleum products, as this leads to destruction of the working surface.
After preparation, the forms are placed on a vibrating table and the first face layer of concrete mixture is laid in them. The amount of mixture to be added is determined based on practice. It is important that it be at least 1.5-2 cm. Wear resistance and resistance to fading depend on this. Tamping by vibration is carried out within 2-3 minutes. This time is enough for the solution to fill the entire volume and displace air bubbles.
Before filling the second layer, alkali-resistant glass, polyamide or polypropylene fibers up to 2 cm long and up to 50 mm in diameter are sometimes laid. Such reinforcement slightly increases the cost of the final product, but significantly improves it specifications: Wear resistance, impact resistance and durability.
The second layer is compacted on a vibrating table for no longer than one minute, since otherwise mixing of the layers may occur and full-fledged, high-quality paving stones will not be obtained. With a properly prepared solution of optimal consistency, vibration compaction for 30 seconds is sufficient.
Paving slabs, paving stones - popular, easy to use and available material for the design of sidewalks, paths, platforms, elements landscape design on the street, in the park, garden, on personal plot. It has many advantages and a wide range of applications, since it is an inexpensive, easy to manufacture and environmentally friendly coating.
Paving stones manufactured in compliance with all technological nuances, will be resistant to abrasion and will withstand many cycles of freezing and subsequent thawing. In addition, it is easy to install and, if the need arises, replacing damaged areas, this can be done at any time.
Production of paving slabs
It is not difficult to make paving slabs, the technology is quite simple and allows you to obtain a variety of shapes, sizes and colors as a result. The production process can be successively divided into stages:
- preparation of forms,
- concrete preparation,
- molding,
- holding and drying finished products,
- stripping,
- storage.
The simplest and most suitable, including for home use, is a vibration casting technology using plasticizing additives. This does not require large expenditures on equipment; if you have the skills, you can make it yourself. The result is low-porosity concrete paving stones with a dense texture and a smooth surface. This is precisely achieved with vibration casting, when concrete is compacted under the influence of electromechanical vibrators on a special vibrating table.
Necessary equipment and materials
Since the tiles are concrete, first of all, you need a concrete mixer, preferably of the forced type, that is, operating on the principle of a mixer. You will also need a vibrating table, casting molds and lubricant for them, and a concrete mixture.
Casting molds of various sizes and configurations can be purchased freely. They are commercially available in rubber (they are the most durable, can withstand up to 500 castings), plastic and polyurethane (about 200 production cycles). Their variety is very large; manufacturers can make them to order, be it forms with a pattern, a certain surface texture, or forms for glossy paving slabs.
Lubrication is necessary for trouble-free stripping of products after the concrete has hardened. It can be purchased at finished form, do it yourself. The simplest lubricant is prepared as follows: 50 g of mineral oil must be mixed with 1.5 liters of water until an emulsion is formed. But it is important to achieve the desired balance of fat content, otherwise the lubricant may spoil appearance ready-made concrete products.
The composition of the concrete mixture is the most important part of the production technology. This includes:
- hard crushed stone of non-metallic rock 3-10 mm, or, as an alternative, granite screening or gravel;
- cleaned washed sand;
- cement grade M500;
- concrete plasticizer;
- dry dye;
- water.
The composition of the mixture can be changed to obtain different properties of the final product.
Preparation of concrete mixture
The recipe for the mixture for paving slabs is simple, but requires careful preparation of all ingredients and methodical adherence to the sequence of actions. It is not difficult to calculate the amount of each component if you know the required proportions of the volume of substances.
For one part of cement you need to take two parts of a mixture of sand and crushed stone, 0.02 parts of plasticizer and 0.2 parts of dry coloring pigment. The ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the dry mixture will be 2:3, that is, three parts of the dry mixture need two parts of water. This ratio will ensure the strength of the finished concrete product and is ideally suited for production at home.
You can also give the following calculation of the approximate consumption of materials per one square meter finished paving slabs 4.5 cm thick:
- 23 kg of cement;
- 56 kg of crushed stone (gravel or screenings);
- 390 g plasticizer.
If the concrete is colored, then 1.5 kg will be needed for this amount of dye materials. Water will be added not by weight, but by volume of dry ingredients.
To obtain high-quality concrete, you need to follow some rules for handling plasticizers and dyes. Neither plasticizer nor dye can be added dry to a mixture of cement and crushed stone. The plasticizer is diluted in hot (70-80 degrees C) water (200 g of substance per liter of water) and added in portions to the mixture concrete mortar. The dye is also diluted in water (40-50 degrees C, 250-280 grams of dry dye per liter of water) and added at the same stage as the plasticizer.
Before starting to prepare the solution, you need to rinse the walls of the concrete mixer with water, since they should be wet. Then water is poured in and, with continuous stirring, cement and sand are poured into it in parts. After obtaining a homogeneous emulsion of water and cement, crushed stone is added. Lastly, the plasticizer and dye, previously diluted, are poured in. The resulting solution must be mixed until smooth; this process takes some time. If the planned production volume is small, you can do without a concrete mixer and mix the solution manually.
We offer you to watch a video instruction on how to make paving slabs with your own hands:
Filling forms
Technological features of how to pour paving slabs correctly are as follows:. It is better to fill the forms halfway with concrete at first, then they need to be placed on a vibrating table. After the vibrating table starts working, the concrete will begin to compact, as evidenced by foam bubbles on its surface - this is how the air in the mixture comes out. As the concrete settles, it must be added to the required height.
Also, if gravel or crushed stone is not added to the solution, you can increase the strength of the tile by placing reinforcement in the form of iron mesh or wire in the casting mold.
Concrete can be poured in layers, for example, to save dye. Front side finished block then it will be colored and the rest of it will be gray. Colored and regular mixture should be kneaded separately, it is only important that its density is the same.
On average, forms with concrete should be left on the vibrating table for 4-5 minutes. After the vibration has finished, they must be placed on a flat surface. Hardening paving slabs should not be exposed to direct sun rays. Taking into account the presence of a plasticizer, it takes up to three days to completely harden.
Video on pouring forms of paving slabs on a personal plot:
Stripping and storage of paving slabs
In order not to damage the mold when unmolding, you need to warm it up by immersing it in water at 50-70 degrees Celsius, then just tap it with a rubber hammer so that you can easily “shake it out” ready product. After stripping the forms, they are ready for a new production cycle.
The finished paving slabs must be kept for up to three weeks on a flat surface and also in the shade, for further hardening and strengthening. It should be laid out for storage “face to face” if there are several rows, covering each with shrink film. During this time, the tile will dry out sufficiently and acquire the strength necessary for use.
The above manufacturing technology is applicable not only to paving slabs; it is also possible to organize the production of curbs in a similar way .
Application of paving slabs
Since paving slabs are a universal material, they can be used almost anywhere. Children's playgrounds, car parks, pedestrian streets, park areas, bicycle paths, private land holdings - this is just the main list of areas, expanding which will not be difficult. Paving slabs are used to decorate flower beds, fountains, garden ponds, decorative fences and railings, porches and terraces, and stair steps.
Laying this covering allows the soil underneath to “breathe”, as it allows air and water to pass through, and does not contain toxins, although it does interfere with plant growth. But the soil still retains its properties, unlike the soil under solid concrete or asphalt.
Paving slabs can withstand heavy structures, they are not destroyed by moisture and extreme weather. These properties are due to the fact that its composition is close to the composition concrete structures, used in construction in the supports and floors of buildings. This is a strong and durable material, little exposed to climate and aggressive urban environments.
Several examples of using paving slabs in your suburban area
Concrete tiles are a beautiful, convenient and durable material, and therefore it is not surprising that it is in demand. Recently, it has successfully replaced asphalt pavement - both in urban landscaping and in private construction. Demand clearly exceeds supply - for city courtyards, sidewalks, squares, park alleys and summer cottages high-quality and practical coating is required.
Of course, city administrations, as a rule, cooperate with large manufacturers who have been seriously established in this market for a long time. But the little ones construction companies and private owners most often order paving stones from small enterprises. The business of producing paving slabs is the very niche that you can still occupy and feel comfortable with, despite considerable competition. In addition, such entrepreneurship does not require high start-up investments, but pays off quite quickly, even with small volumes.
Will paving stone production be profitable?
To correctly and accurately answer this question, you should study the supply and demand on the paving market in your locality:
- In what quantity and at what price do competitors offer paving slabs? Additional services they provide.
- Do you have a lot potential clients: dacha cooperatives, repair and construction teams, etc.
- Who will supply the raw materials: if there are no granite and sand quarries nearby, it will have to be purchased in other regions, and this will inevitably increase the cost of production.
If you have determined that market saturation is relatively low and allows a new player to count on a sufficient number of orders, you can begin to open a business. To begin with, it is better to give preference to small production: if large orders appear, it will be possible to purchase additional equipment and “expand”.
Enterprise registration
Fortunately, no license or certificates are required to produce paving slabs. To get started, just register as an individual entrepreneur. If you want to confirm the high quality of your products, you can undergo a voluntary certification procedure, but, as already mentioned, this is not necessary.
What to produce
There are several types of paving slabs:
- clinker,
- vibropressed,
- vibrocast.
The clinker house is considered the most expensive of all. To make it you will need special equipment and high quality clay. Needless to say, for a small enterprise that has just appeared on the market, such costs will be unreasonably high. In addition, the sales market for such tiles is quite narrow.
The right decision for a novice manufacturer would be to turn to a more democratic form and start producing paving stones using the vibration casting method. In terms of quality and price ratio, this is best option, and consumers who are looking for durable and inexpensive paving slabs usually prefer this one. The vibration casting technology itself is one of the simple ones, and the cost of tiles produced by this method is low.
Vibropressed tiles are also strong, durable and aesthetically pleasing, but their production is more expensive.
In addition to the tiles themselves, buyers should be offered borders, decorative elements, and facing stones: it is always convenient to purchase everything you need in one place.
Laying tiles can also become a related service - this will help the buyer purchase the exact amount of material, and the manufacturer will receive additional profit.
Workshop for the production of paving slabs
You should start organizing production by searching suitable premises. The requirements for it are not that high. It must be heated (for the production of tiles a special temperature regime). Communications are required - centralized water supply and electricity with the possibility of using a voltage of 380 V.
The location where the workshop will be located special significance does not have one, so inexpensive buildings on the outskirts will do. The area of the room can be small, from 60 square meters. meters, it depends on the capabilities and planned scale of production.
To produce paving stones, you will definitely need a drying room, where the floor must be warm and the air temperature must be maintained at 35–40 degrees. You will also need to allocate a small warehouse for storing finished products.
Equipment and personnel
When the premises are selected, you can proceed to the purchase of equipment and recruitment of personnel.
To produce tiles you will need:
- 1–2 concrete mixers,
- stripping table,
- forming vibrating table,
- special plastic forms.
With this set of equipment you can start producing square and shaped paving stones, decorative fences, borders, facade tiles and slabs with gutters.
To produce 30 sq. m of tiles per day, the company must employ three people per shift. These can be ordinary workers - there are no special requirements for their qualifications. Their responsibilities will include following the recipe and technology for mixing concrete, filling out forms and sending tiles to pressing tables and then to the drying room.
During the “hot” season, when a lot of goods are needed, you can hire employees for temporary work.
Raw materials for tiles
Paving slabs must comply with GOST: meet the requirements for strength, frost resistance, hygroscopicity, etc. The tile covering should last 25 years or more. To achieve such quality, you will need not only to follow the production technology, but also to use good raw materials.
To produce 30 sq. meters of tiles, you will need:
- cement – 0.8 t;
- concrete plasticizer – 2.3 kg;
- sand-granite mixture – 2.5 t;
- pigments.
The supply of sand and granite crushed stone must be negotiated with the management of the mining quarry - preferably directly, but it is also possible through an intermediary company.
It is better to purchase cement and pigments of the same brand, especially if a large order is being carried out, otherwise you may encounter the problem of color mismatch between tiles in different batches.
Search for buyers
To show off the product, it is better to make several demonstration samples so that potential buyers can see what the coating will look like. However, a product catalog wouldn’t hurt either – colorful booklets with information about the benefits of tiles in general and yours in particular will definitely come in handy.
You can also personally offer your products to managers or suppliers of repair and construction teams. Advertisements will help you find customers – both in the media (newspapers, magazines, on Internet sites) and simply in cottage villages.
Costs and profits
To launch a production line of 30 sq. m of paving slabs per day, you will need about 200–250 thousand rubles. excluding the cost of purchasing or renting premises for a workshop.
Cost of production 1 sq. m of tiles averages 250 rubles, taking into account the cost of raw materials, electricity and wages workers. Average price per sq. m of tiles for sale – 350–450 rubles.
Thus, provided that the product is quickly sold, a paving slab production business can recoup its investment in just 2–3 months.