If you are looking for a particularly beautiful surface for paths and places in the garden, usually finds the right material among natural stones.
Natural stones are not like industrially manufactured concrete slabs, Clinker or sand-lime brick can be increased as required. But there are enough sites and quarries, which can cover the demand for slabs and paving stones for a long time to come.
If you are looking for beautiful stone slabs for a new garden or for an upcoming renovation of existing systems, should make its way to the stone dealer. Natural stones are also offered in hardware stores or builders' merchants, the selection is the largest at the natural stone dealer. There you will also find the technical equipment, to cut special shapes and custom-fit shaped stones.
For patios and garden paths are slabs and stones made of granite, Quartzite, porphyry, Suitable for slate and sandstone. They are delivered from the processor bound in sheets on pallets and packaged. You can choose them in batches or as individual plates. You should use natural stones – despite the offer – do not order by catalogue, without even looking at them. colors and mottled patterns, typical of granite, are always individual.
No standard prices
The prices for natural stone materials are usually a matter of negotiation. They also depend on the degree of hardness, the form of processing and the transport route. Added to this is the rarity of the stone slabs, especially for selected varieties. For example, sandstone from the local quarry is considerably cheaper than a colored, rare granite stone from Italy, for example. Depending on the intended use, you can choose different sizes and processing forms. Split goods are ideal as individual lawn stones or for a pond border, for example. These are quarry stones with irregular edges and, depending on the type of stone, with a more or less rough surface. Sawn slabs with smooth edges and an even surface with a uniform thickness are more suitable as a terrace covering. They are easier to put together. These panels are made 30 to 40 cm wide and at least 3 cm thick strips (broadloom) cut. There are no standard dimensions such as concrete slabs.
Different finishes
A further refinement of the covering can be achieved by processing the surface. A distinction is made between polished ones, sandblasted, flamed and broken surfaces. Sanded means smooth and slippery when wet, sandblasted is flat, but slightly rough, flamed is slightly uneven and rough, while broken means very uneven and rough.
At terraces, that have no roof, smooth surfaces are not recommended, because wetness makes them slippery. The plates should then be non-slip. Non-slip properties are not required for table tops or benches made of natural stone. Their edges can also be ground or polished. Embossed edges are also popular. The edges are processed with a chisel, that they resemble a broken edge.
In addition to the slabs, there are paving stones made of granite or basalt, which is called loosening between plates, but can also be laid as a whole area. They can also be used as borders for paths. The stones are square in measurements between 4 and 10 cm or as a large plaster between 15 and 17 cm offered. Combinations of different formats are also possible.
Lay natural stone correctly
Stones and slabs made of natural stone are laid either in lean concrete or in a bed of fine slab sand. An underlying drainage layer of coarse gravel is important, which absorbs the accumulating surface water immediately and drains it away quickly.