GRANITE PAVERS

Granite is a naturally occurring igneous rock, easily recognised by its light colour and coarse-grained texture, visible even without magnification. This rock forms deep within the Earth’s crust, where magma cools and crystallises over long periods.

Primarily composed of quartz and feldspar, with smaller amounts of amphiboles, mica, and other minerals, granite displays a range of colours including red, pink, grey, and white, often with darker mineral specks scattered throughout. Among the most sought-after colours for granite paving stones are black and grey. Additionally, the mica content in granite often adds a subtle, shimmering effect when exposed to sunlight, enhancing its visual appeal.

Cost of Granite Pavers

Depending on the type of finish, colour, type and size, the average price varies from approximately $59 to $85 per m2.

Being a naturally sourced stone, granite is revered for its ease of maintenance and cleaning process.

It is recommended to apply an invisible, penetrating sealer prior to grouting which will facilitate easy clean up after application of the grout, as well as future maintenance.

Sealing also provides protection against stains, weathering, UV resistance and issues like efflorescence, which is the white powdery substance on the face of pavers due to water carrying mineral salts to the surface.

To keep your granite pavers clean, it is advisable to give them a wash with soap and warm water to keep them looking vibrant and fresh.

In order to get the most out of your granite, it’s recommended to avoid using chemical agents such as hydrochloric acid, as it may cause some of the minerals in the stone to react.

With proper maintenance, granite will be able to withstand general wear-and-tear and high-traffic areas for decades without damage or cracking.

Granite is often the primary choice of homeowners when it comes to both residential and commercial projects because of the following benefits:

Versatile

Granite can integrate well with just about any surrounding and looks flawless with all types of decor elements. As Melbourne’s leading granite supplier, we stock granite tiles in your desired shade and size. From tan brown, shades of pink and grey, and even midnight black, we have a colour that will suit any home. Granite can be used indoor, but is commonly used in outdoor settings such as pathways, kerbs and pool areas.

Beautiful natural texture

The natural and rugged feel of the granite makes it the best choice for all types of hardscapes. Whether you’re using granite indoors or outdoors, it will enhance your space and add a touch of elegance and versatility. Whether you need a sleek, classy finish for your corporate or residential project, granite tiles are the ideal choice.

High non-slip rating

One quality that sets granite pavers apart from other pavers is their high quality, non-slip surface. Granite is highly slip-resistant and can also withstand torrential rainfall and extreme heat. Granite stone is preferred for pool paving and pool coping, as poolside areas are heavily susceptible to moisture and require a practical solution to ensure the highest level of safety.

Extremely durable

Granite is extremely durable, permeable and requires little ongoing maintenance. Granite pavers can endure scratches, stains, moisture and damage from temperamental and hot weather with ease. The Mohs scale (which is used to understand the scratch resistance of minerals, through the capability of harder material to scratch or abrase softer material) ranks as a 7, making it one of the hardest stones available for building purposes. Before the invention of steam-powered cutting and dressing tools, granite could only be carved by hand tools. Most buildings that utilise granite have stood the test of time and are a living testament to the durability of using granite stone.

Laying granite tiles is a relatively straight-forward process, and is detailed step-by-step below:

1. Measure the Required Depth

Before beginning the tiling process, you are going to need to excavate the ground to lay the mortar or gravel base. It is important to create a strong foundation for granite pavers. One of the main factors that affect the quality of your paved floors and patio is the base. The stronger the base you install, the longer the granite pavers will last.

There is no one-size-fits-all depth when it comes to natural stone pavers. Some installers dig up to 10 inches deep, while others keep the depth 6 inches. Before excavating the ground, you must measure the paver thickness. Like other natural stones, granite is available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The thickness of your granite pavers will affect the installation process, as thicker pavers need a stronger foundation. Pavers above a 30mm thickness should be laid as both above or onto a compacted road base into a dry sand bed.

2. Mark the Area

You can use spray paint to mark the total space you would like to pave with granite slabs. It makes it easier for the homeowner to outline the surface that needs to be covered. However, before you spray paint the area, remove any furniture, plants, turf, and other accessories that could stain. You need to clean the space before excavation. A garden hose can be used for cleaning. You can also use a detergent if there is a lot of debris and dust.

3. Excavate

This is the most challenging part of the installation. Assemble the tools required for excavation and dig the ground up to 6-10 inches (depending on the size and thickness of the granite pavers). If you are installing the tiles on a driveway, then you are going to need to build a gravel bed of 6-12 inches. This is because driveways need a strong base that can withstand heavy vehicles and high foot traffic. If you are laying these tiles on the patio, then keep the depth 6-8 inches( i.e. 5 inches for the bed of gravel and 1-inch for sand). The thicker the base is, the better your patio or driveway will look. Besides, a thicker base offers a stable installation.

Once you are done excavating, place the layer of gravel and compress it. If you are using dry gravel, then wet it with the garden hose. You can then lay the sand layer and compact it. Once that’s done, your base for granite pavers is now ready. Note that you can fill the excavated area with gravel, sand, crushed stone and mortar. However, a gravel bed is highly recommended for high traffic areas such as pathways and driveways. The base must be level. You can also use the levelling tools to achieve a flat and smooth surface for granite pavers.

4. Lay the Granite Pavers

Granite pavers are to be laid directly on the sand bed. You can lay them in any pattern you want. For instance, a geometric design is quite common around areas such as pools. Make sure that you space the pavers properly to avoid shifting.

You can use a spacer to lay the tiles in the right pattern. You may also need to cut the pavers so that they interlock with the adjoining slabs. It is best to order customised pavers that have solid edges. Once you are done laying the pavers on the base, pour the sand on the paved surface and sweep it to fill it into the small gaps.