Modern paving stones: sizes, types and applications

For many years, sidewalk tiles are considered one of the most popular materials. This is not surprising, because compared with the asphalt surface, it looks much more attractive and reliable. It is very important that with its help anyone can independently pave beautiful and long-lasting paths on his garden plot or on the territory of a country cottage. All that is needed for this is the tool and the pavers themselves. The sizes and types of modern tiles can be very diverse, so before you go for a purchase, you need to decide on the design and correctly calculate the amount of necessary material. How to do this and what parameters can have paving stones, we will consider in our article.

Types of paving slabs

Modern technologies allow manufacturers to make paving stones of various shapes, sizes and colors. It can be made from natural stones or from artificial materials, while in both versions the product looks very aesthetically pleasing.

Today on the market you can find the following varieties of paving slabs:

• Paving stones made of natural materials;
• Tiles made of artificial raw materials;
• Articles of concrete;
• Vibrating stone slabs;
• Vibropressed stone blocks;
• A cover called "Brick";
• Tile "Turtle";
• Hexagonal pavement "Sota";
• Clay tiles.

The scope and dimensions of the tiles (pavers) in each case are different, so let's look at all the options separately.

Tiles of natural and artificial materials

The main for the production of natural paving stones is granite or sandstone. Products made of granite differ extraordinary strength and spectacular appearance. The process of manufacturing this variety is laborious enough, because of which the final cost of production is somewhat higher in comparison with analogues.

Natural paving stones (the dimensions of which are strictly defined by GOSTs) can be in the form of a square (the minimum dimensions of which are 50 x 50 x 50) or a rectangle (with maximum parameters of 200 x 100 x 80). Width, height and thickness of products can vary between minimum and maximum parameters, with each indicator always being a multiple of 10 mm.

Sandstone is less durable than granite, which does not allow using it in conditions of intensive exploitation. However, it is this quality that makes it possible to produce tiles not only square, but also rounded forms. Such paving stones are produced in gray, green, red, brown, yellow and pink tones.

Artificial analogues of natural stone blocks are made of clay or concrete. The thickness of these plates ranges from 20 to 80 mm. Thin elements pave the road surface in places where there is no transport, and thick products are used for laying roads.

Vibrating and vibro-pressed paving stones

Artificial paving stones are made of concrete, which is poured into special shapes. Such a coating is obtained in two ways:

• With the help of vibration;
• Vibrocompression.

The vibrating pavers consist of a basic concrete layer and a decorative coating with the addition of natural stone crumb and dye. Such a tile is characterized by an extensive color scheme and smoothness. Most often, it is used for arranging residential areas (in places of medium load).

In the second variant the paving stones are made by pressing and simultaneous vibration. The finished product turns out to be more rough, which ensures the safety of pedestrians in the icy ground. In parking lots, park alleys and sidewalks, it is just such a paving stone. The dimensions of both types are 200 x 100 x 40 and 200 x 100 x 60 mm.

To lay 1 square meter of such coverage, you will need about 50 bricks, the total weight of which will be from 85 to 100 kg.

Cobbles "Brick" and "Turtle"

A tile called "Brick" is very popular, since it is considered more universal. It can be used for paving both small and large areas. The coating is very resistant to wear and does not lose its original appearance for many years.

GOST has established a clear size of pavers "Brick" - 210 x 105 x 60 mm, however, some manufacturers produce tiles of non-standard parameters.

Tile "Turtle" is characterized by the presence of patterns and unlimited color scale, however it is suitable for laying only on a solid and even concrete base. Its size is 30 x 30 x 3cm. To lay 1 m² facing, you need 11 elements, the total weight of which will be 70 kg.

Cobblestone "Cells" and products made of clay

The "Honey" tile is produced by means of vibration casting or vibrocompression. It is represented in the form of a hexagon, which is stacked in rows. This material is suitable for all surfaces, very durable and beautiful. Multicolored hexagonal paving stones (dimensions of which are 260 х 140 х 60) are often used in landscape design.

Tiles of clay in other words are called clinker bricks. It is produced in more than 60 colors, which are obtained by mixing different types of clay. Depending on the texture, the products can be smooth, rough and structured. By the form most often there are square, rectangular, oval and wedge-shaped tiles.

Today, on construction sites, you can find the following dimensions of pavers (rectangular):

• 24 x 11.8 x 5.2 cm;

• 20 x 10 x 5.2 cm;

• 20 x 15 x 5.2 cm.

The cost of pavers

In conclusion, I want to pay attention to the cost of different types of pavers.

Concrete vibro-pressed gray tiles (3 cm thick) will cost the buyer from 300 rubles per m². Products of maximum thickness will cost from 600 rubles for the same volume.

The price of clinker pavers also depends on its thickness. The thinnest tiles cost about 1,500 rubles per m². The price tag for thick clay paving stones is twice as high.

Products made of granite will cost the consumer from 1,600 per m².

When choosing a tile, it should be taken into account that the colored paving stones cost twice as much as the products of natural color.

In this article, we examined what kinds of paving stones are. The dimensions, price and scope of application are different in each case, therefore, before purchasing this or that option, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with its performance characteristics. Successful shopping for you and accurate calculations!