How to determine the quality of paving slabs: the main points when choosing

Paving slabs today are a very popular way of paving surfaces of the most diverse purpose. It is laid everywhere - when arranging stops and metro areas, entrances in front of offices and shops, areas for people to move to sports facilities and business centers, paths on garden plots and sidewalks. Examples of paving paving slabs are simply inexhaustible.

How to determine the quality of paving slabs

It is rather difficult to determine the quality level of paving slabs without special equipment. But nevertheless, experts give several recommendations to minimize the risk of buying substandard products:

The glossy, mirror-like surface of the tile is not necessarily a sign of its high quality. To achieve this result, manufacturers can go in two ways: either add special additives to the concrete mix, or an excessive amount of water. The latter has a very negative effect on the quality of the tiles, making the product very fragile. Checking compliance with the production technology is quite simple - you need to lightly tap the tiles against each other. A loud sound indicates the quality of the product, a dull one indicates a violation of the technology for its manufacture.
Bright, saturated color of the material is also achieved in different ways - either through the use of expensive pigments, or an overdose of dye, resulting in a decrease in the strength of the tile.
On the faults of the tile, you can check the homogeneity of its structure - there should not be any cracks, pores or voids inside.
The production technology of high-quality paving slabs involves the use of sand without clay inclusions. Strict observance of this rule leads to a decrease in the quality and durability of products. The presence of clay in the composition of the tile can signal yellow spots or stains on the back of the product.
Do not forget about product certification. Any paving slabs must be produced in accordance with GOST 17608-91, the production of material according to technical conditions does not guarantee its quality and durability.
Well, about the price. The price of paving slabs from a manufacturing company cannot be lower than the investment costs for the acquisition of quality components for its manufacture. Therefore, the low cost of the product should at least alert the prudent consumer.

As you can see, everything is not so complicated, the quality of your coating depends only on your attentiveness and compliance with the laying technology of paving slabs. But more about that another time.

Why does this coating have such a demand?

Benefits of paving slabs

Paving slabs have a great many indisputable advantages over other decorative coatings:

the variety of types, shapes and colors of paving slabs is very large, and this makes it possible to give any piece of land its unique look and fit it into any design interior and landscape;
high-quality tiles are characterized by high strength, wear and frost resistance, which has the most positive effect on the durability of the coating;
the territory paved with tiles is very easy to repair - a defective element can be replaced at any time with a high-quality one without any efforts and violations of the quality of the coating;
if it is necessary to lay communications on this plot of land, paving slabs are easily dismantled and laid again at the end of work;
paving slabs do not contribute to stagnation of moisture and ensures the complete absence of puddles after rain;
the coating can be equipped with additional decorative elements, allowing to give special completeness to the site being equipped. Such elements include curb stones and drains;
laying of paving slabs does not require special knowledge or skills in building skills - a beginner will also cope with this.

As for the shortcomings of the paving slabs, no serious shortcomings were revealed in it. Another question is when the tile is laid incorrectly, in violation of the paving technology - in this case, the coating becomes unsafe, you can stumble on the protruding edges of the tile, and slip on staggering elements.

Technologies for the production of paving slabs and their features

Most consumers wonder what technology - vibrocasting or vibrocompression - produces a higher quality paving slabs. In fact, these two technologies cannot compete with each other, since each of them is designed for different places of operation.

So, to cover areas of large volumes, as well as in places of possible passage of heavy vehicles, vibro-pressed paving slabs are more suitable. Products made using vibrocompression technology have higher strength characteristics, and automation of the entire manufacturing process allows for the production of tiles on a massive scale.

Those who want to stand out from the monotony of the city are equipping their territory with paving slabs made using vibrocasting technology. Cast tile has an exclusive appearance, rich color shades and original texture, and is available in limited quantities. Due to the fact that the technology of vibration casting is less automated, this affects not only the volume of production, but also its geometry and, of course, price. Cast tiles are mainly used for laying out pedestrian zones or recreation areas for people.