Paving slabs. What to look for when choosing?
In modern conditions, one of the building materials intended for sidewalks, alleys, courtyards, squares is paving slabs. This coating in its qualities can compete with the well-known asphalt concrete pavement. So, paving slabs have a number of advantages:
- high resistance to temperature changes;
- has a very aesthetic appearance, with a wide selection of textures, shapes and shades;
- ease of installation, the ability to disassemble it while maintaining its integrity.
Paving slabs
If you appreciated all the advantages of paving slabs and decided that it suits you, then two questions immediately arise. The first is where to buy paving slabs and the second is how to choose good quality products. So, a few tips.
Pay attention to the cost. Quality tiles will never be cheap, as low cost indicates that low-grade components were used to make them, and there is also the possibility that specifications were not met. So, the consumption of coloring pigment per 1 sq. m. of production is 0.5 kg, at a cost of $ 10 per 1 kg. You should also take into account the costs of the components of the concrete mixture, as well as the cost of the equipment used and labor.
A perfectly smooth and even surface of a tile does not always indicate its high quality. If this result is obtained in the process of introducing special additives into the concrete mixture, then this is a huge plus. But very often this result is achieved with an increased percentage of water. This factor negatively affects the strength of the finished product.
It is very easy to determine the methods of obtaining surface smoothness by an improvised method. To do this, it is enough to lightly knock on each other with two tiles. A ringing sound indicates a quality product. A dull sound is emitted by tiles, in the manufacturing process of which the second method or low-quality components were used.
If the paving slabs have a rich color due to the use of expensive and high-quality pigments, then, accordingly, the cost will be high. The low cost of the product indicates the use of a conventional dye in increased doses, which can negatively affect the strength of the material.
If one of the components is clay sand, then the service life of such a product will be reduced. This can be determined by examining the reverse side of the tile. If there are yellow spots, then it contains clay.
Pay attention to the internal structure, for which you ask to break one tile. The chip should be uniform, without obvious voids, painted over the entire thickness, having the same color. The technology of painting only the top layer of the tile reduces the strength of the product.