Reinventing stone

PERSONALISED DESIGN SERVICE
Homeowners, paving contractors, architects and engineers all make use of Pavatile's free CAD layout service.

PERSONALISED DELIVERY SERVICE
Our specialised delivery methods reduce breakages and speed up installations.

CUSTOM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Where the size and nature of the project demands it, landscaping professionals and architects can depend on Pavatile to develop new products according to their requirements.

Does the colour of Pavatile's paving go all the way through?

No. The colour is impregnated only into the top surface of Pavatile's cobble and block paving.

To find out why this is done and how it relates to improved durability, let us begin by examining the rationale behind the question.

(If you prefer, simply skip to the bottom line).

Why might one expect the pigment to permeate the entire block?

Wet-cast concrete products are usually manufactured to have decorative surface textures, such as those seen below. Casting the colour all the way through would be advisable if the manufacturer expected the surface texture to be rubbed off within a year or two. Some manufacturers make provision for this, as many cobbles are indeed prone to rapid surface deterioration. Such deterioration is unwelcome, not only because the paving ends up looking dull and scruffy, but also because a loss in thickness weakens the paving. The question, therefore, assumes that Pavatile's products are also subject to rapid surface deterioration, which is not the case. In fact, the very reason why Pavatile uses pigment in only the top layer is related to the products' added-durability design.

Textured surfaces are a characteristic feature of wet-cast paving products. Seen above are Pavatile's Richtersveld (slate), Zandveld (sandstone), Lava and Granito textures. It is important that the surfaces should be durable, so that the strength and character of the paving can be maintained for a long time.

A cross-section of a Pavatile cobble. Note the finer aggregates in the pigmented top surface.

Designed for durability Pavatile has developed its products for textural durability, with a high resistance to surface abrasion. In order to achieve this, a double-layer casting method is used. The MPa specification from of the wearing surface differs from that of the base, and both can be cast to a custom engineering specification. The abrasion-resistant wearing surface has a different concrete composition from that of the load-bearing lower portion; inter alia, there is a difference in the size of the aggregates. The colour is only in the top layer. The lower (unpigmented) section of the block is not seen at all when the installation has been is grouted, and it does it become exposed by wear during normal use over many years. It would therefore not make sense to add pigment to this mix.

In products with multiple visible surfaces, pigment is present in all such surfaces.

Pavatile's cobbles at this road intersection have retained their undulating surface texture, and have acquired a polished appearance.

Appearance over time While the effect of feet and tyres tends to make the surface of many paving products look dull, the opposite happens to Pavatile's products. In the case of the Lava texture (used for products such as EuroCobble), the surface begins to look shiny and polished — like old-fashioned cobbles from centuries ago. The Richtersveld texture also becomes more polished and stone-like. The stippled Granito texture of the PlazaBlok becomes more pronounced and grainy looking as rubber deposits (from shoes or tyres) bring out the relief. So what's the bottom line? Pavatile's double-layer casting system, in which the colour is present only in the visible surfaces, improves durability. Pavatile has had the benefit of many situations where its cobbles were installed side-by-side to those from other manufacturers, and subjected to the same wear over time. Pavatile's cobbles kept their surface colour and texture far better than did the alternative products. Find out more and see pictures.

A detailed technical document explaining the importance of the double-layer design in terms of long-term durability and the associated quality control methods is available to engineers and other industry professionals upon request.