Toppave vs. tobermore - Block paving selection

[simonperry]

I have decided to block pave my own drive (approx. 185m2) with tumbled antique style blocks. My selection has come down to Toppave Antique vs. Tobermore Tegula, both have been quoted at £14 + VAT per m2.

Does anyone have experience of dealing with these 2 makes and suggestion re which one I should go with?

[Nigel Walker]

Tobermore Tegula - every time

I have done approx. 500m2 of Tobermore Tegula in the last few weeks (5 seperate jobs) and I have got orders for many more

In my humble opinion they are the best Rumbled/Antique type of block I have ever come across. I have used Marshalls Tegula, RMC Chelsea, Lakeland Edenstone, Toppave Antique and others - they dont come near.

If you can get a contractor to supply you with Tobermore, then go for it.

All my customers are over the moon at the completed work and whenever I send new clients to the jobs I have done they are gobsmacked with the quality of colour and style.


Nigel

[Tony McC]

I, too, prefer the Tobermore Tegs to TopPave Antique. I just think the colour blend and the 'hardness' of the block (which is only really apparent when it comes to cutting them in a splitter) gives Tobermore the edge.

[Nigel Walker]

Tony

Your point about the hardness of the block and the splitting is spot on

The Tobermore Teg are the best blocks I have used for cutting with the Probst Splitter.
Because they are so hard they split perfect - no need for any scutching.
Using the right Diamond Tip Blade - they cut well. But you can still tell they are harder than most others.

Nigel

[simonperry]

In going for Tobermore Tegula's, for a domestic driveway where I am trying to create a ramdom pattern to match a 1900's house would you recommend going for:

1. 50mm thick blocks available in 2 sizes
or 2. 60mm blocks available in 3 sizes

I believe the 60mm blocks are approx.£2/m2 dearer adding £400 to the cost of my job.

Also in laying these blocks do you need to incorparate spacers as you would when tiling? (On their website they mention the 80mm blocks come with a unique 1.5mm spacer, avoiding the issue of unsightly protruding spacers)

Many thanks for the help so far. A great site backed up witrh a friendly forum.

Cheers,
Simon.

[Tony McC]

2 quid per metre? I didn't realise they were charging so much for just 10mm extra concrete. I shall have to interrogate Mr Law the next time I see him.

Having said that, though, I would still go for the 3 size mix as it creates a more random-looking coursing. With the two size mix, there's only 35mm diff between the two blocks (140x175 and 140x140) so it can look a liitle repetitive. The inclusion of a third size really does make a massive difference to the finished appearance.

I'm fairly sure the 60mm blocks have spacers incorporated as standard. I know that one range (and it may be the 50mm Tegula) doesn't have a spacer - perhaps one of the more regular Tobermore users can conform? Ken? John? Nigel?

[Nigel Walker]

Tony

I have just been using the 50mm Tegula. It has no spacer.
Havent used the 60mm yet. Probably because of the price difference - as you say its £2 per m2

I find the 2 size mix is ok. I have also been using the large size only on a couple of drives. It looks stunning laid in stretcher bond.

Am I alone in thinking that the 3 size mix is becoming to common. A bit like the 200 by 100 herringbone.

I like to try and do things a bit different than the guy next door and I have rarely seen just the one size rumbled block laid before. I really like the plain look of just using the 1 size block. - the large size
Do you see houses built using 3 different size facing bricks ?

I agree that on certain houses and developments a random mix does look better, but sometimes straying from the norm is good for you !!

Every block manufacturer seems to make their ranges in 3 sizes. Marshalls Elite and Excel come in 3 sizes within the 1 pack - something which I hate. The client sometiomes wants the border in 1 size only and then you have trouble laying what is left. I have got loads of the meduim size Excel in my lock up - purely because the random mix doesnt work as Marshalls say it should

A future client requires Tobermore Shannon, which is a one size range. I cant wait until someone asks for the Tobermore Retro. It looks stunning laid in stretcherbond.

Also from a laying point of view - it is quicker and easier laying just the one size. And after all the quicker you are the more money you make. And although I love my work, my main reason is making money.

See all the rest of the Tobermore layers next week

Nigel

[simonperry]

Hi Nigel,

It's good to get different views re sizes and styles. I am tempted by your suggerstion of one size especially as I am doing the drive myself to save money.

Would you recommend going for the 50mm in the large 175mm*140mm size on a driveway that is 190m2?

I have samples of 50mm and 60mm blocks neither which have spacers. As I am a virgin block paver, do you leave a 2/3mm gap using a spacer (as in tiling) or use your eye?

Thanks for the advice so far.

Simon.

[Nigel Walker]

Simon

As long as the drive is prepared to the correct spec there is no problem in using the large size in 50mm.

Although there is no spacer, there is sufficient gap to allow the Kiln Dried Sand to bind the blocks together.
I find that a 25kg bag of Kiln Dried covers approx. 12- 14m2 of Tobermore Tegula.
The Tobermore Tegula is less rumbled than say Marshalls Tegula, which is a good thing as some of Marshalls Teg has massive chunks of corners missing.
If you are just using the large size only, when starting off you will need to cut a number of blocks in half to allow for the stretcherbond - depending if your drive is square to a wall or edging.
Using 1 size only is quicker and easier for a novice . Just remember to straighten the blocks every 4-5 rows as they have a tendency to run off if not careful

Good luck

Nigel

[Nigel Walker]

John

Thats a bit of bad planning !! Missing a free jolly

Would you mind if I had your free pints of Guinness !!!!

My main employee (the one with the brains and know-how) His wife is expecting their 2nd child this week. I bet it is on Thursday when Im away in Ireland and the young upstart is left on the job on his own. I had better warn the client in advance !

Does anyone else worry when you leave young lads on their own on jobs ? or is it just me

Nigel

[Tony McC]

Here are John's piccies of the Tobermore Tegula job he did in Widnes earlier this year....






... when do you get back from Essexcestershire, John?


Nigel - young lads left alone on site??? Best way ever to lose money on a job!

[chancer]

did anyone mention tobermore is in co. tyrone?.is that why they are so hard?

[Tony McC]

Tobermore is in Co. Derry, not Tyrone. The blocks are still hard, though!