The Brew Cabin

Hi Tony,

Saw a recently block-paved area that looked excellent, and wondered if you could help identify the product?

They had used what seem to be real stone blocks, 150mm x 225mm and 225mm x 300mm and 50mm thick. The surface was "really grippy", and a mix of grey/browny flecked colours.

Any idea what this was? I guess if it was stone the cost would be ££££££!

cheers
Richard

There's a few UK manufacturers that are knocking out sawn stone setts that can be laid in the same manner as block paving. Marshalls do them, as do Farrar's in Keighley. Both of these are genuine York Stone setts and of the highest quality.

However, there are also a lot of imports coming in from India, China, South America and also from Southern Europe. Some of these may well be quality products, manufactured from a suitable local stone by dirt cheap labour then shipped over here and sold at a price slightly below that of UK-original materials, but a lot of what I have seen has been of dubious quality. Flakey, crumbly or overly laminated and aimed at the unsuspecting Garden Centre market rather than the more knowledgeable Builders' Merchants.

As most of the imported material does not carry any agrement certificates or verifiable BS or even ASTM compliance, you have to be very waru about what you buy and who you buy from. BMs are usually very careful when it comes to their suppliers, and most of the specialist stone merchants will give an honest opinion on their stock, but the GCs will sell whatever they think the general public will like the look of, regardless of long-term quality.

From your description, I suspect these are the genuine yorkstone setts. Have a look at Farrar's website as they offer a nice range of widths and lengths.

Hi Tony,

I looked at Farrar's website (never heard of them before). The thumbnails were a bit small, but their setts didn't quite look like the stuff I saw. The edges were a sharp 90o rather than a chamfered edge. I'll try and find what it was and post back.

thanks
Richard

A chamfered edge? Marshalls offer that, as a special option - have you looked at their site?

Can you get a picture, Richard?