Paving & Slabbing
When you choose RL Arboriculture & Land Services for your commercial or domestic paving, you can be sure that you are making the right decision.
RL Arboriculture & Land Services offers a huge variety of paving products to suit many different types of properties.
​
You wont be let down with the qualities of our materials or the cost-effective solutions that we offer.
​
When you get in touch, we can walk you through your options and we will work together to find the right solution for you.
​
You can rely on us to provide a first class service
It’s important for us to work out exactly which paving is going to be the most suitable for you and one that complements your property and garden.
Each material type has unique characteristics and style. Some are more hard-wearing, others have more colour variations and often the surface finish of one material can be different from another.
​
Have a look below at our range of paving materials and their pros.
​
Natural Paving
Limestone Paving
Slate Paving
Granite Paving
Sandstone Paving
Natural stone is often considered a superior product to its concrete counterpart for a number of reasons:
-
It ages better with time.
-
The colours are subtle and more varied.
-
More frost resistant than concrete.
-
Easier to clean.
-
Considered more valuable and can even add value to a property.
Because the stone is all uniquely formed under the layers of earth, no two pieces will be the same. Each piece will contain its own unique layered patterns and veining, meaning technically each and every project will be unique.
​
Limestone Paving Slabs
Not entirely dissimilar to sandstone, limestone is also an imported sedimentary stone formed by tiny grains formed naturally under the earth.
​
The slight difference in geology is the cementitious material that binds the tiny grains together under pressure – it is a mixture of silicon and lime rather than purely silicon which creates the difference in colours and textures.
The main difference, visually, between limestone and sandstone is the consistency of colour.
​
Sandstone is made up of a variety of different colours blended together, whereas limestone's are made of much more consistent grains.
​
In addition to the colour, the more consistent grains mean that the surface of the limestone is also smoother.
Whilst not perfectly smooth like a honed slab, a limestone slab’s surface doesn’t show the riven finish that is common in sandstone. It’s a ‘naturally smooth’ surface which only goes to add to the uniformity of the area.
Pros and Cons of Limestone Paving Slabs
Pros
-
The texture of limestone is very fine, so it takes on a distinctive, soft-looking finish when used as paving slabs and results in a smoother surface.
-
Even colours for creating a uniform area.
-
Very easy to cut and work with.
-
When the colour of the slabs is enhanced, limestone creates deep, unique and striking colours.
Cons
-
Much more susceptible to colour fade than sandstone if not maintained.
-
The colour palette is much more limited than sandstone and there are fewer ranges available.
-
Acid damage is common because of the calcium composition. Be careful if it remains untreated.
​
​
​
​
Granite Paving Slabs
​
Granite is a much different stone from the others. It is the only igneous stone that we have available and it is by far and away the most durable.
The surface of granite paving slabs can come in a huge range of colours and finishes from white to black.
​
Because granite is tough, it cuts incredibly cleanly. Granite paving slabs come with 6 sawn sides and a surface finish such as flaming or leathered to give an abundance of looks.
Granite has the lowest porosity of all our stones It means water is mostly unable to permeate the granite. Additionally, it is highly thermally stable, so it shows no change with temperature.
What's more, granite paving slabs are highly resistant to chemical erosion. These properties make granite a great choice if you are looking for a long-lasting, durable stone.
​
Pros & Cons of Granite Paving Slabs
Pros
-
Granite is non-porous, which means the surface will not be damaged by water or by scratching.
-
It’s difficult for the surface to retain dust and dirt and as a result, it is easy to clean.
-
Huge range of colours. You can choose from dark black, through greys, pinks, reds and white.
-
Incredibly weather resistant so will retain its value and look for years.
Cons
-
Difficult to work with if you end up needing to cut the stone because of its hardness.
​​
Sandstone Paving
Sometimes known as "riven paving slabs", due to their huge array of colours, surface finish and general availability, Sandstone paving slabs remain an incredibly popular material to work with.
​
Sandstones are composed of tiny grains which are held together by a form of cementitious material which usually consists of silicon. It’s this silicon ‘cement’ that determines how resilient a material is.
​
Silicon is a tough material, which is why sandstone can be a very hard stone. It’s all to do with how tightly these silicon molecules are packed together.
The tighter they are packed, the harder the material.
​
Pros & Cons of Sandstone Paving Slabs
Pros
-
Strong colour patterns and designs for each individual slab.
-
Huge range of colours and styles.
-
Wide availability.
-
Easy to work with – cutting & laying.
-
Will withstand the weather and frosty conditions.
-
Dirt cleans off relatively easily.
-
Lasts a lifetime whilst adding value to a property.
Cons
-
Can fade over time if not looked after due to bad weather.
-
The surface is 100% natural so can sometimes be a little over-rough on the surface.
-
Natural stone also throws up the occasional undesirable natural variations such as blotches and other imperfections.
Slate Paving Slabs
The colour palette of slate paving slabs tend to be subtle and beautiful.
​
Slate is a little different to sandstone and limestone. Both sandstone and limestone are sedimentary stones formed in grains, whereas slate is a metamorphic stone formed in layers.
​
The above distinction has an impact on the usage and properties of slate paving.
There are slates that come from all over the world, which vary in quality – so it is important that you know what you are buying:
​​
Pros and Cons of Slate Paving Slabs
Pros
-
Standout texture and colour which also doesn’t fade as quick as limestone.
-
Very durable when used as external flooring.
-
Low absorption rate which stops the pores from absorbing water which creates damage.
Cons​
-
The layers can flake off if affected by the weather which creates pits for water to pool.
-
Generally susceptible to moisture damage if left untreated.
​
Overall, slate is a fantastic choice. The colours and the textures effortlessly create a beautiful area that really draws the eye.
​
Some people recommend that slate is only used in smaller, focal points of the garden due to susceptibility to water damage.