Frequently Asked Questions

As the stone is natural, no two pieces are the same, allowing designers and homeowners to create stunning bespoke and individual designs which will outshine the likes of concrete and other man-made building materials. Some of the benefits natural stone has to offer include:

• Natural stone is generally easy to clean.
• Using natural stone materials may add greater value to your property. Natural stone is uniquely formed, each piece of stone has its own characteristics, color variations, veining, markings and occasional charming imperfections.
• The diversity of the product allows it to be used in a number of applications.
• Each piece of natural stone has a unique blend of colors and tones.
• All of our Natural Stone makes a durable frost resistant paving and walling.

There are multiple types of stone that are formed under different conditions over time:

IGNEOUS

Igneous rock comes in two forms, Extrusive or Intrusive. Extrusive rock is formed on the earth’ s surface, when there has been a volcanic eruption, i.e., Lava which then cooled rapidly forming small crystals, of which basalts are an example. Intrusive rocks crystallise within the earth’s crust without erupting, the magma cools slowly allowing large crystals to form. Intrusive rocks are generally granites.

SEDIMENTARY

As the name suggests, these rocks are formed from sediment that has settled at the bottom of a body of water or been deposited in a desert environment and have then been compressed over millions of years. Examples of sedimentary rocks include Sandstone and Limestone. Sandstone is predominantly silica sediment, often with beautiful shade variations and unique striations, that are even further enhanced when wet. Limestone is predominantly carbonates, such as calcite and dolomite. Our limestones are very dense in nature with low absorbency, displaying the occasional unique mineral vein. Our sandstone and limestone ranges are versatile and broad in choice.

METAMORPHIC

These are originally either igneous or sedimentary rocks that have been exposed to concentrated heat and/or pressure which causes them to change into a denser form of rock. Examples of metamorphic rocks include Quartzite, Marble and Slate. Our Slate ranges are resilient to weathering and are easy to maintain.

There are a few things to consider when placing your order for natural stone:

• If you've received a sample, note that it offers just a glimpse of the diverse color variations found in our stone. Keep in mind that each stone piece is distinct, showcasing varying shades, mineral compositions, and veining.
• We recommend visiting a local Natural Paving USA dealer to view the stone laid out whenever possible. Relying solely on photos, catalogs, websites, or a single sample is not recommended.
• To achieve a natural blend, it's advisable to mix from various packs during installation. This approach helps avoid color batching and ensures consistency across the project. Keep in mind that due to variations in quarry seams, batches may differ slightly in shades and characteristics, albeit within our product specifications.
• Order enough of the product to cover the entire area you wish to pave, as above, batches can vary through different seams in the quarry. The color tones of today’s order will not be the same as an order for the same product at a later date.
• When placing your order, we recommend you order an extra 10% to allow for any cutting, personal selection or breakages that is required.
• Think about the surface finish you've selected and consider the needs of the area's users. For young children and seniors, a textured finish provides extra traction and safety.
• Consider the location of your stone installation. Shaded areas may attract organic growth and stains due to prolonged dampness, while areas in direct sunlight may experience fading over time.
• Finally consider what the stone is going to be used for. For example, not all our products are suitable for vehicular traffic or around swimming pools.

There are many sealers available on the market that offer different finishes. Natural stone does not have to be sealed so sealing is a personal choice. Some sealers are designed to affect the appearance of the stone, such as leaving a satin finish. Sealing can help delay the absorption of liquids also.

An important factor to consider if deciding to seal your stone is whether or not the sealer is breathable, because if it is not then mobile salts in solution can be trapped beneath the surface. An example of a potential problem caused by the use of the wrong sealer could be where efflorescence develops but the sealer prevents salts from exiting through the sealed surface. The build-up of the salts not only can result in a difficult to remove stain but can often cause disruption and breakdown of the surface itself.

With un-breathable sealants, manufacturers will normally recommend that you wait three months before sealing your recently paved area, to allow efflorescence to appear. This can then be washed off before sealing.

If using a breathable sealant, the paved area can usually be sealed straight after installation, but always check with the product manufacturer.

If you make the decision to use a sealer on your natural stone, test the product on a small, discreet area first, to make sure you are happy with the result.

Regularly sweep up fallen leaves to prevent staining caused by leaching tannins. (Leaching tannins refer to the process where organic materials, such as leaves and plant matter, release natural compounds called tannins when they come into contact with water. These tannins can cause staining on surfaces they come into contact with, such as paving stones, resulting in discoloration.)

If stains occur, our Pavetuf Green-Off Cleaner offers a safe and effective solution. It's easy to apply and quickly removes stains from various surfaces without damaging them.