Factors to Consider
Sidewalk tiles are a material used to cover tracks, yards and paths. Its main task is to give a civilized appearance to a suburban or private site. The choice of paving slabs should be based on the following factors:
- Large selection of shapes and colors that will allow you to realize any design ideas;
- Ease of installation. Tiles should be laid down in a simple technology, with the use of standard tools, this will allow the laying of any person. It should also be possible to replace damaged items without special difficulties;
- Ecological cleanliness. In the summer, the pavement will be warmed by the sun. In this regard, its composition should not be harmful to humans substances that will stand out when heated;
- Durability. This is one of the main factors. The laid material must be held firmly and reliably and resist the effects of temperature changes, mechanical loads and atmospheric influences. Quality material, which meets these requirements, will serve for a long time.
Tip! Always buy tiles more than necessary for installation. First, the process can be damaged, which will need to be corrected. Secondly, over time, deformations may occur, cracking of individual elements, and having a reserve, you can fix it.
How to choose a paving slab?
Having understood what quality of paving slab is considered optimal, it is necessary to choose it in accordance with these requirements. To create a mirror surface, manufacturers use two methods: adding special additives to the concrete and introducing a large amount of water. Adding water is naturally much cheaper, but this reduces the strength of the material, so it should be avoided.
To determine the way to obtain a mirror, you can lightly hit the tiles against each other and listen to the sound. With the use of special additives, the sound will be sonorous, with the addition of water - deaf. It should also be noted that if the color of the material is very bright and saturated, it means that pigment pigments are present in the composition, which also weaken its strength.
The price for a quality paving slab can not be low. And this is understandable, because it is produced on high-quality modern equipment. Therefore, it is better not to choose cheap products. The main thing is to make the tile in accordance with the GOST standards. Solid and reliable companies on the materials leave a stigma that confirms the conformity of quality to all state standards. In confirmation of this, there must be certificates of quality.
Important! Certificates for purchase must be checked, as it is the main factor in deciding which paving slab to choose.
How to check the quality of paving slabs?
When buying materials, you can check their quality on-site. First, examine the material. If the surface is shiny, then the manufacturer has added either a large amount of water, or special additives. Both that and another negatively affects the quality of the goods, making it more fragile. Secondly, tap the tiles against each other. The correct production technology provides for a long period of drying. Well-dried tiles, when struck against each other, produce a sonorous sound. Otherwise, if the sound is deaf, there is a lot of water left in the material.
Following these tips, you can independently determine which is the best paving slab. Making the choice correctly, you will ensure a reliable paving for many years. Otherwise, saving money can negatively affect the quality, and after a short time the tile will lose its appearance and begin to crack and collapse.
