Product Information

General

Product Images

The images shown are for illustrative purposes only.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content in this guide, however due to varying light conditions it is not always possible to show the true colours of products in a photograph. Before ordering please always view a sample of current stock. You can do this in several ways: By ordering a FREE sample from bradstone.com or
by calling 01335 372289 or by visiting a display at your local stockist (to find your nearest stockist visit bradstone.com)


Sizes and joint widths

Size dimensions quoted are nominal and for guidance only. Actual sizes will vary, particularly where riven profiles and fettled edges are a feature of the product. Always dry lay the product to check area required (especially circles and patio kits). See joint widths recommended for products in the technical information.
All m2 coverage is approximate and may vary. All our products are manufactured to industry standard tolerances.


General information

Bradstone products and materials, unless otherwise stated, are for domestic landscaping and driveway projects.
Decorative flag paving and some edgings are not recommended for use on driveways. All products must be checked on arrival and in the unlikely event of products reaching you in a less than satisfactory condition, please refer to your stockist immediately, allowing time for the rejected product to be replaced.
When you receive your product you may notice minor scuffing on the surface. This can occur due to movement in transit and will generally disappear in time. De-icing salts should not be used on any of the Bradstone product range.
Bradstone does not recommend the use of jet/ power washers as this may affect the surface of the product over time.
All products can develop algae and organic growths under certain environmental conditions and may require cleaning.
Areas adjacent to borders, plant pots and trees may discolour from transfer of plant life; specialist maintenance advice may need to be sought.
For advice on cleaning and general maintenance of your patio please refer to our'How to clean your Patio' blog.

Aggregate Industries cannot accept responsibility for any of the above conditions. Should you require further advice in this area call our customer care team on 01335 372289.

 

Health and safety

Due to the nature of our products we always recommend suitable lifting equipment be used for larger products such as 1200 x 600mm and 900 x 900mm pavers. We recommend the use of lifting equipment such as a vacuum lift.
• Always wear gloves and safety footwear when handling the product.
• Always wear safety goggles, safety footwear, gloves, ear protection and appropriate respiratory protection when using cutting equipment.
• Ensure the products are on level ground and retained in some way before removing any packaging.
• Always handle with care as breakage and chipping may result from mishandling.

 

Block paving

Colour variations can occur within packs, therefore:
Ensure your sample and blocks are from the same factory. Block paving should be ordered from the same batch number to avoid colour variation. Do not mix blocks from different factories. Bradstone cannot accept responsibility once blocks are laid from different batches.
The responsibility of ensuring this is correct lies with the landscaper. Best results are achieved through mixing from 3 to 5 different packs and from vertical columns rather than horizontal rows.
We recommend a neoprene faced or rubber sole plate on vibrating plate compactors to reduce scuffing (specifically on our Stonemaster, Braddrive Cobblestone ECO and
Woburn Original ranges). Light colours are susceptible to staining and care should be given when selecting blocks for driveways.


Natural stone colour and maintenance

All natural stone products (Sandstone, Limestone, Slate and Granite) will have colour and texture variation to a greater or lesser extent within single pieces and from piece to piece. We recommend a reasonable amount of product is viewed at your local stockist before ordering. Natural stone products may contain minor imperfections. These will
depend on the characteristics of the product i.e. fossils, ferns, veining and quartz. Natural stone may develop added marking, deposits or patches as mineral content oxidises.
Product should be mixed from a number of packs prior to installation. Natural stone should always be laid on a full wet mortar bed.
A slurry primer (such as Bradbond) is recommended to be applied to the underside of all Natural Stone paving but is essential for Smooth Natural Sandstone, Natural Slate,
Riverwashed Limestone and Granite paving prior to laying to improve adhesion.


Sandstone

Sandstone needs to be handled very carefully when installing to minimise staining and we would advise that Smooth Natural Sandstone be sealed prior to laying using
a breathable sealer. However, if this is not possible, it should be covered up as it is installed and sealed as soon as it is laid.


The Silver Grey colour in all of our Natural stone products will vary with differing geological conditions. Such variations can lead to small particles of ironstone within the product creating a darkening of the surface with natural weathering.
Being pale in colouration, this natural weathering is more obvious with Silver Grey compared to other natural products in the Bradstone range.

 

Slate

Slate has many natural characteristics. Therefore, care should be taken when laying to aid/enhance the overall finished aesthetic appearance. In most cases this paving has more than one usable face, we strongly recommend the following checks be made:
• Select the best finished top surface to work with ensuring it is free from calcite mineral deposits (circular white marks).
• Dry lay the paving prior to final installation/fixing to ensure the desired shade variation is achieved throughout the patio area.
• A slurry primer (such as Bradbond) should be applied to the  underside of Slate paving prior to laying to improve adhesion.
• Do not use acidic based products during or after installation.
• Natural Slate is not suitable for steps and copings.


Natural Granite

A slurry primer (such as Bradbond) should be applied to the underside of Granite paving prior to laying to improve adhesion.
Do not use a resin based jointing compound with Granite.


Limestone

Indian Blue/Black Limestone is UV sensitive and over time will lighten in colour. We do recommend sealing limestone prior to laying, or as soon after laying when practically
possible. Combined colour enhancers and sealers are available that will help keep the look for longer. Never use acidic based products during or after installation.

 

Porcelain paving

Manufactured from the finest raw materials, under strict controls allows us to obtain the exceptional technical characteristics which sets porcelain paving apart.
Anti-slip surface resistance
• Madera Grande and Madera Antigua = R12
• All other porcelain paving = R11

We recommend Progrout Flexible for pointing. Do not use white cement nor materials containing black pigments.
Finishes are intentionally manufactured with slightly uneven colour tones and surface decoration, these subtle variations set these products apart.
The use of a slurry primer to the reverse of each paver is both essential and more importantly critical to the overall performance of Bradstone porcelain paving.

We recommend the use of Bradstone Bradbond for this.
Apply as per instructions given on the tub. Applied to the underside using a stiff brush, it provides an exceptional bond between paver and the full wet bed underneath.
Mixed to manufacturer’s instructions and applied with care it forms an immediate bond which prevents the pavers from lifting or potentially moving in the future when correctly laid.

Bradstone porcelain paving can be cut on site and mostly to any size. We recommend the use of a portable saw (table saw, petrol driven disc cutter, rechargeable angle grinder) fitted with a good quality diamond porcelain blade. The blade should be water fed for dust suppression and to keep the blade cool. Scoring the product first and sawing from the face downwards will help to alleviate the potential risk of edge/surface chipping. 

Bradstone porcelain paving can be cleaned by applying a suitable cleaner. We strongly recommend the finished laid area be thoroughly cleaned/washed down which helps
remove general building dirt, grout residue and any grease deposits that may be present. It is also recommended that periodic cleaning with a porcelain cleaner will help to keep the paving looking its best.
Dependent on the type of stain/surface residue present (i.e. suction marks, grease, grout, general building site dirt,) there is a wide range of off the shelf specialist cleaners
available. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first before applying to any test area.

 

Concrete colour and maintenance

Colours may vary subtly, especially in blended shades.
Colours will appear different during varying weather conditions such as sunlight and rain. Please check colour samples in dry conditions and in full daylight. Where possible, products should be selected from the same product batch. Our Peak paving should not be used for patios or areas where aesthetics are important.


Slurry Primer

The British Standard recommends that a slurry primer (such as Bradbond) should be applied to the underside of all paving prior to laying to improve adhesion


Differential Weathering

Differential weathering can cause patchy dark discolourations on the surface of individual units. Again this will generally diminish over time and will not affect long term
performance. This is due to differential weathering where the surface of the paving has cured at different rates. All decorative products will weather and change appearance
over time.


Efflorescence

Efflorescence can appear on all paving products as white patches or a lightening of the surface colour, but seems to disappear when wet.
It is formed by a normal chemical reaction which causes calcium hydroxide (lime) to migrate through the damp paving surface and then react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting in a deposit of calcium carbonate crystals. Efflorescence is very unpredictable in its occurrence and can happen at any time of the year but is more prevalent in winter.

Although there are cleaners available, efflorescence is a natural phenomenon and will generally disappear with the natural weathering process and the passage of time. It does not compromise the integrity of the paving. Aggregate Industries cannot accept responsibility for the effect of efflorescence which can be a characteristic of all good quality products with a high cement content.