Why Lay Paving Slabs
Over the last four years Smart Precast has seen and heard many positives
and negatives to both options. ‘ Cost ’ is always the first point , the
second is the ‘ Look ’ and is always dependant on the individual landscaping
situation ( i.e: access / subsoil / trends ). Many homeowners and businesses
(housing companies offering package deals) - choose short-term cost over long-term
quality. Customers purchasing from us often say “ We wish we had gone with
laying pavers in the beginning”. Such comments often highlight the following
observations:
The advantages over laying paving slabs for an outdoor entertainment
area, pool surround or path to the clothesline can be seen over time in
many instances where paving is compared to an Insitu poured slab (on site).
(A) Many poured slabs develop long unsightly cracks within the first 6 months.
These cracks can sometimes be patched and filled – the visual issue here is the
repair often highlights the crack ! Should a paving slab crack a few minutes
work can see the damaged paver removed and replaced with a spare slab kept as
a back-up by the purchaser.
(B) The colour tints are often only added to the
top surfaces of an Insitu poured slabs (to keep cost down) - often failing
within two years and causing both the colour tint and top sealant to bubble
and peel away, exposing the natural concrete within (the sealant has to be
applied to protect the original thin layer of colour tint). To correct this
surface defect requires the entire slab area to be resurfaced – a costly exercise.
Smart Pavers have the colour mixed throughout the full depth of the paver so
there is no surface delamination exposing the natural concrete underneath
(therefore the paving slabs do not need to be sealed).
(C) Poured Insitu slabs
have steel reinforcing in them, making removal difficult and costly should this
be required. Pavers need only be lifted up with a crow or jimmy bar, removed and
cleaned down and can be recycled elsewhere at minimum cost.
(D) Trends come and
go, as do public opinion on stamped Insitu slabs and their design. Paving Slabs
are timeless, aging gracefully and become an integral part of any landscaping
setting.
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