Frequently Asked Questions

Natural Paving USA offers a wide range of high-quality natural stone products that are designed to enhance outdoor spaces. Here are some key benefits of choosing our products:

• Durability and Longevity:
  Our natural stone products, including pavers, step treads, and coping stones, are known for their strength and durability. They can withstand various weather conditions, heavy foot traffic, and the wear and tear of daily use, ensuring a long-lasting investment for your outdoor spaces.
• Aesthetic Appeal:
  Natural stone brings unmatched beauty and elegance to any landscape. With a variety of colors, textures, and finishes available, our products can complement any architectural style and enhance the visual appeal of your home or commercial property.
• Eco-Friendly:
  Sourced from nature, our products are environmentally friendly. Natural stone has a low carbon footprint and requires minimal processing compared to synthetic materials. By choosing our products, you contribute to sustainable practices in landscaping and construction.
• Versatility:
  Our range of products is versatile and can be used in various applications, including driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks, and fire pits. This versatility makes it easy to create cohesive and functional outdoor spaces.
• Low Maintenance:
  Natural stone requires minimal maintenance. Regular cleaning and occasional sealing are typically all that is needed to keep the stone looking beautiful. Unlike some man-made products that may require frequent replacement or repair, our stone products are built to last.
• Slip Resistance:
  Many of our natural stone pavers are designed with slip resistance in mind, making them safe for use around pools and other areas prone to moisture. This feature enhances safety while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
• Unique Character:
  Each piece of natural stone is unique, showcasing distinct patterns and colors. This individuality adds character to your landscape, ensuring that your outdoor space is one-of-a-kind.
• Easy Installation Options:
  Our products come with flexible installation options, including dry set and mortar set methods, as well as compatibility with jointing compounds like our Pavetuf Jointing Compound. This ease of installation allows for faster project completion and reduces labor costs.

We recommend multiple installation methods to accommodate different project needs and preferences. Here are the primary methods:

• Sand-Set Method:
  This method involves creating a compacted aggregate base topped with a bedding layer made of 5 parts sand to 1 part dry Portland mortar. This stable foundation allows for proper drainage while remaining permeable, which helps prevent water pooling and promotes the longevity of the pavers. The sand-set method is ideal for areas that require flexibility and movement, such as driveways and patios.
• Mortar-Set Method:
  In this approach, the stone is mortared directly onto an existing slab. It’s essential to create a full mortar bed by buttering the entire back of the stone and the concrete surface. This technique helps avoid efflorescence bleed-through staining, which can occur when moisture seeps through and leaves behind white mineral deposits. If efflorescence does occur, we recommend using our Pavetuf Salt Eraser to effectively remove any stains and restore the surface.
• Overlay Method:
  The overlay method involves setting the stone on an existing foundation, which typically includes the installation of a layer of landscape fabric to provide extra security, ensuring that any sand used for the bedding layer doesn’t migrate through potential cracks within the proposed existing foundation. After laying the fabric, a sand bedding layer composed of five parts sand and one part dry Portland cement is screeded over the foundation to ensure proper leveling and support for the pavers. Additionally, the bordering perimeter of the project should be mortared in place to prevent paver shifting over time. This method is often used for renovations or when upgrading existing surfaces without complete removal.
• Open Grade Method:
  The open grade method is another effective installation technique that emphasizes drainage. In this method, a layer of washed stone is typically used for the base, with a 3/4-inch angular rock, such as #57 stone, providing excellent water permeability. To avoid soil from clogging the spaces between the aggregates, a layer of separation fabric should be used between the soil and the base. This is particularly beneficial in areas with heavy rainfall or where drainage is a concern, as it helps manage water runoff and reduces the risk of flooding or erosion. The stones are set into this washed stone base, ensuring stability while promoting natural water flow. The bedding layers are typically composed of an angular chip, such as #8 stone.

Disclaimer: Always consult with an experienced hardscape specialist to determine which installation practice is best suited for your specific project to ensure maximum efficiency and longevity of your paved space.

We offer installation education & support and are happy to assist with any of your project installation questions or concerns!

Yes, our natural stone products are designed to withstand freeze cycles and extreme heat, making them suitable for a wide range of climates. Here’s why:

• Mineral Composition: Our stones are composed of durable minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and clay, which contribute to their strength and resilience. These minerals have low porosity, allowing them to resist moisture absorption. When moisture does not penetrate the stone, it reduces the risk of freeze-thaw damage, as water expands when frozen and can cause cracking in other materials.
• Natural Heat Resistance: The mineral composition of our stones also provides natural heat resistance. They can endure high temperatures without warping or degrading, making them ideal for outdoor spaces exposed to direct sunlight, such as patios and driveways. The inherent properties of the stone help to reflect heat, keeping the surface cooler compared to other materials.
• High Density Percentage:Our products feature a high density percentage, which enhances their exceptional thermal performance. High-density stones are more resistant to thermal shock, meaning they can withstand rapid temperature changes without cracking or breaking. This characteristic is particularly beneficial in regions that experience significant temperature fluctuations, ensuring that your outdoor spaces remain beautiful and functional year-round.

Overall, our natural stone products provide reliable performance in both freezing and extreme heat conditions, ensuring durability and longevity for your outdoor installations.

For paver jointing, we highly recommend our Pavetuf Jointing Compound, which is available in two colors for aesthetic flexibility. This compound is specifically formulated for use with our natural stone pavers and is easy to install. Here are some key benefits and considerations:

• Easy Application: The Pavetuf Jointing Compound can be swept into the joints between pavers and activated with water, creating a strong bond that enhances the overall stability of the installation.
• Interlock Creation: This compound is designed to fill joints that are 1/2" to 1" thick, helping to create an effective interlock between the pavers, which is essential for maintaining their position and preventing shifting over time.
• Avoid Polymeric Sand: It’s important to avoid using a non-hardening polymeric sand for jointing, as it can lead to staining and moisture retention around the joints. Unlike our Pavetuf Jointing Compound, polymeric sand does not fully harden, which can compromise the integrity of your paver installation.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The compound is available in two colors, allowing you to choose a shade that complements your pavers and enhances the overall design of your outdoor space.

No! Using an acid cleaner on any natural stone product, including our Indian Sandstone, is not recommended as it will compromise the integrity of the stone. Specifically, when acid is applied to our Promenade color, it can expose the iron within the stone, leading to unsightly rust stains as the minerals deteriorate.

• Effect on Indian Sandstone: Acid interacts with the minerals in Indian Sandstone, causing a chemical reaction that breaks down the stone's surface. This can lead to pitting, etching, and a loss of color vibrancy. The acid may also weaken the stone structure, making it more susceptible to damage from environmental factors.
• Irreversible Damage: Sometimes, the damage caused by acid can be irreversible, affecting the stone's appearance and durability.
• Neutralizing Effects: If you have accidentally used acid on your stone, our Pavetuf Rust Remover is excellent for neutralizing these effects and restoring the stone in certain cases however, it’s not guaranteed to correct the damage and/or staining.

While sealing your natural stone pavers is not required, it is highly recommended for added protection and peace of mind. To meet this need, we offer our Pavetuf Sealers in two finishes: Satin and Invisible.

• Enhanced Protection: Sealing helps to protect your pavers from potential stains, moisture infiltration, and the effects of weathering. By applying a sealer, you can prolong the beauty and integrity of your natural stone surfaces.
• Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic: Our Pavetuf Sealers are formulated to be eco-friendly and non-toxic, utilizing water-based penetrating formulas. This means they are safe for the environment and for use around people and pets, making them an ideal choice for residential and commercial applications.
• Why Use a Water-Based Sealer?: Water-based sealers are specifically designed for use on natural stone as they penetrate the surface without creating a film. This allows the stone to breathe, preventing moisture buildup beneath the surface, which can lead to damage over time. Unlike solvent-based sealers, which can trap moisture and cause issues, our water-based formulas maintain the natural characteristics of the stone while providing effective protection.

By choosing to seal your natural stone pavers with our Pavetuf Sealers, you ensure they remain beautiful and well-protected for years to come.

Yes, our fire pits are designed for both gas burning and wood burning, providing versatility for your outdoor living space.

• Wood Burning: If you choose to burn wood, we recommend installing fire brick to the interior of the fire pit. This added protection helps to shield the stone from extreme heat, reducing the risk of damage and prolonging the life of your fire pit.
• Gas Burning: For gas burning, we suggest using a 36" gas insert. This option provides a clean and efficient way to enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fire without the mess associated with wood burning.
• Impact of Extreme Heat on Stone: While our fire pits are robust, it's important to remember that extreme heat can adversely affect natural stone. For instance, when sandstone is exposed to intense flames, the heat can cause the stone to expand rapidly. This expansion may lead to cracking or spalling, where the surface layers of the stone begin to break away. Such damage can compromise the integrity and appearance of the fire pit over time.

By taking precautions, such as using fire brick and carefully monitoring the heat, you can safely enjoy both wood and gas fires in your Natural Paving USA fire pit while minimizing the risk of damage.

Yes, our products are safe for use around pools. All of our natural stone has been ASTM tested, resulting in a slip rating of 1.46 in dry conditions and 0.94 in wet conditions. These ratings ensure that our stones provide a secure walking surface, significantly reducing the risk of slips and falls when the area is wet.

• Premiastone Line Consideration: It's important to note that our Premiastone line, while beautifully honed and polished, may be less slip resistant due to its smooth surface. This particular finish can lead to a higher risk of slipping when wet. Therefore, we recommend considering the specific needs of your pool area when selecting materials.

Yes, we offer stone driveway pavers in our De Terra line. This collection features a three-piece smaller format paver available in two thicknesses:

• 1 1/4" Thickness: This option exceeds 15,000 PSI, making it suitable for residential vehicular traffic. It provides the durability needed to withstand the weight of cars while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.
• 2" Thickness: Designed for heavy or commercial applications, this thicker paver is ideal for areas that experience more substantial traffic and load.

In addition to their use as driveway pavers, both thicknesses from the De Terra line can also be utilized as patio or walkway pavers, offering versatility for various outdoor projects.