Old gravel inset paving - Does it still exist?

[PavingSuperstore]

We get calls every so often from people looking for concrete slabs with gravel inset / exposed aggregate on the surface. As far as I know, this is an old 1970s style of paving that doesn't exist anymore, but is this right? Is there a dark corner of the country that still produces this paving?

[lutonlagerlout]

i see lots of old council greys that look like this but i reckon its erosion
i am sure the gaffer mentions these exposed aggregate slabs elsewhere
LLL

[Tony McC]

The two major producers of exposed agg paving are Marshalls and Townscape.

Major is something of an overstatement. Marshalls have a limited range but they don't really make much effort to push them. Townscape have a much more extensive range but they are a bloody strange company to deal with. Even other manufacturers reckon the top table at Townscape are a bit....errr....different!

[PavingSuperstore]

I have a photo on email, but haven't had much luck getting them uploaded before. It's almost like a 10mm shingle has been bedded into the top of the concrete as it's setting. It sits proud of the paving, so is more of a 'design feature' than a wear and tear thing I would say.

[seanandruby]

probably had a retard solution added to the surface after casting and hosed off the top after curing. Think sugar has the same effect.

[mike builder/landscaper]

They have in Spain where we go on holiday, 450/450 flags on the pavements and they look brill, never seen them over here though which is a shame, cause I would certainly use them, if they were alright for our climate

[Tony McC]

The 10mm exposed agg is a fairly standard product (which means both Marshalls and Townscape manufacture a version)

The process varies depending on the agg being used. Some are retarded and washed, some are a variation of a face-mix process.

It's hard to be certain why they have fallen so far out of favour that they've virtually disappeared. Certainly price is a key factor, but it's more than that because specifiers and high-end clients are paying far more per m² for some types of natural stone and even for quality finish concrete. There is an element of the "That's *so* 1970s" attitude, but I do feel that a large part of the lack of interest comes down to failure to promote.

How many of us have even heard of Townscape? How many were aware that Marshalls manufacture these products, and if you were, can you name the products? See what I mean!

[lutonlagerlout]

its just fashion boss
for years every patio we did was 450 by 450 or 600 by 600 riven slabs either in buff or red and buff
injun stone has changed all that for the better and now people are looking at other stone ,which is good

also people are starting to realise that they have to pay that bit extra for quality products and installation
LLL

[PavingSuperstore]

I haven't seen it in the Marshalls commercial range, but I guess it doesn't mean they don't do it - just that they don't promote that they do it. The Townscape version looks similar to what we've been asked to match. I agree that used in the right setting, it could be considered quite a modern look - after all, everything comes back into fashion again!

[Tony McC]

after all, everything comes back into fashion again!

...which is very good news for my kipper ties and my Budgie Jacket!