As many of you will know, I have long had a passion for the use of natural stone in the external environment. There are many examples of old paving which remain a pleasure to behold while standing up to all the vicissitudes of wear and tear. For me, manufactured products never seem to have this wonderful quality of improving with age.
In many urban situations, the paving is 50% of the total visual impact. Investment in this sphere has massive effects on the whole streetscape. Without it looking good, no town, city or office can have quality, can seem as though we care for it and will thus be respected by its citizens. It matters in the garden too.
Of course, it is the good examples of paving which survive, there have been failures in the use of stone as in everything. A good suppliers wish is to assist with the choice of materials to give the best possible chance that they will be appropriate and practical for their purpose. His future depends not only on the quality of his material but how it is used. He should offer criticism if appropriate, with reasons and ensure the designer has the best possible information on which to make a decision.
Paving suffers, not just from the weather, but abrasions and impact, frost, salt, skateboarders, market traders, pub deliverymen... no building facade has to do so. Quality is necessary, but it is essential to choose selectively to get the best results for any particular situation.
Checklist
Click for Printable checklist
Hence some points to bear in mind before specification:
- Pedestrian/vehicular or shared surface
- Support layers for the paving - possible need for specialist: Consultant/use of laying guides and BSENs
- Ethical issues
- Environmental issues
- Thickness constraints
- Planned life
- Fast food outlets
- Oil drips from vehicles
- Staining from other sources
- Potential damage from: Market traders, pub deliveries, skateboarders, lorries on pavement and vandalism
- Maintenance - chewing gum - street cleaners : Vacuum and jet washing
- Frost requirements, salt regime
- Skid/slip resistance
- Disabled access
- Building context and adjoining materials
- Relationship to internal paving
- Colour consistency
- Compatibility of street furniture and kerbs
- Can the quarry produce the size/shape desired
- Start date/procurement timetable
- Tolerances required
- Details to be incorporated - gulleys, drains, inserts...
- Supervision of the work
- Contrasts in one material
- Combinations of materials
Then begin to select colours, design and sizes which suit the chosen
materials.
Use stone in art for giving a sense of place, showing history or geography, providing information and entertainment and having fun -
aesthetically, economically and with sustainability.
Michael Heap
CED Ltd 30.10.01
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