Category Archives: Garden & Outdoor Design

Cobblestone pavers have a way of taking you back in time, to old European cities where horses and carts ventured through windy, narrow, and uneven roads.

Maybe you’ve even strolled through these European laneways, lined with cafes and restaurants in France or Zurich, or stumbled across the cobbles while shopping in Italy, or even enjoyed exploring old castles with cobbled courtyards.

Whether you have travelled to Europe and explored these cobblestone streets, or you’ve only seen them in movies, you’d agree that cobble stones add a beautiful, magical, and romantic touch wherever they’re installed.

But why cobblestone pavers?

Well, cobblestones earned their popularity in Europe because they were easy to find, economical to source and simple to install. These rounded stones, collected from riverbeds, had many helpful qualities for roads. As they formed from years of erosion through fast-racing rivers, they were excellent for traction and reducing muck and mud on roads.

Fast forward a few hundred years, and you’ll see that cobblestone pavers are installed in many modern and contemporary homes. In fact, they’re an extremely popular choice amongst builders, landscapers, architects, and homeowners, and with due reason too!

Firstly – as evidenced with the cobble streets in Europe – they are strong and durable stones that can stand the test of time. Neither political turmoil, nor environmental changes, nor heavy traffic can ruin them.

Secondly, their versatile nature makes them an ideal natural paver for driveways, patios, pathways, and many other places.

Thirdly, they are ideal for installation in more challenging areas like curved or gradient surfaces, where installing larger and rectangular natural stone pavers is a difficult and cumbersome task.

Now, in today’s article we explore why cobblestone flooring is the ideal solution for driveways and landscaping in contemporary and modern homes, the types of cobblestones you can choose and where they’re best suited, as well as the product specifications to consider for the installation purposes of mesh cobblestones.

Raven Granite Cobblestones create a grand and practical entrance to this house.

Best Uses For Cobblestones

As mentioned above, cobblestones are strong, versatile, and extremely durable. This makes them an ideal solution for high traffic areas that are more susceptible to wear and tear, like driveways and pathways. In saying this, you might also consider adding cobblestone flooring – with their old-world appeal – to your patio or general outdoor landscaping around your home.

If you’re wondering what paver is best suited for driveways, we strongly recommend cobblestones for driveways for a few reasons. While compared to other natural stone pavers, cobbles are much smaller stones – roughly 100x100mm and 30-60mm in thickness – they are slip-resistant and can hold a lot of weight. So, if your garage holds several cars and people are using your driveway several times a day, cobblestone pavers will support the traffic load without bearing much damage. In fact, if you invest in granite cobblestones, porphyry cobblestones or bluestone cobblestones, the stones will even help mask tyre marks and assist with traction – especially if your driveway is on a slope.

Secondly, since cobblestone pavers are small and available in different patterns – like brick, herringbone, and stagger-set – they are a much more versatile material to work with. As such, choosing cobblestones for driveways means you don’t have to fuss around with large pavers that can be awkward to install on gradient slopes and curved areas – both of which are quite prominent in driveways. In this sense, cobbles are much easier to install in difficult areas. Additionally, Armstone cobblestone pavers are made overseas to resemble the original European cobblestones as closely as possible. This means they’re available in modern colours such as grey, dark-navy and blue-greys which means you can easily match them to the design of your modern/contemporary driveway and home.

**Audrey Cobblestones on mesh are perfect for busy driveways.

Cobblestones are also a wonderful choice for outdoor landscaping, gardening, and flooring like pathways, bordering around trees and flower beds, patios, as well as edging around a fountain and other water features.

Whether you have a modern or more traditional outdoor design and aesthetic, we stock cobble stones that will suit either exterior. The darker, mysterious and cooler tones of granite, porphyry, regetta, and bluestone cobblestone pavers are ideal for modern decors, while quartz and travertine cobblestones, with their creams and off-white tones, add warmth to a more traditional outdoor aesthetic.

If you want to create a unique pathway that resembles an old English cottage vibe or the paving of ancient Roman streets, install cobblestone pavers in a rectangular pattern. You can choose from a herringbone, filetti or brick-bond design. For a flat and consistent surface, we recommend a herringbone pattern as it’s easier to walk on. This is ideal for homes with kids, pets and elderly members who might otherwise trip at the uneven surface created by installing irregularly shaped brick or narrow cobble pieces to achieve the filetti or brick bond looks. And if you’re looking to add a unique touch to your landscaping and maybe define certain focal points, cobblestones make exquisite borders around larger pavers.

Regardless of which cobblestone paver design you choose, you’re guaranteed to create a timeless landscape, along with a durable and slip-resistant flooring solution that will last generations to come.

Bonza Quartz Cobblestones create a beautiful circular artwork in this outdoor patio.

Types of Cobblestones

Now that you’re more familiar with the history of cobblestones and their best uses, let’s look at the types of cobble stone flooring available and the best uses for each variety.

Basically, cobblestones are available in three types of finishes: split-face, tumble/rumbled, and flamed/exfoliated.

So how to choose which finish is the best one for your project?

Well, this truly depends on the type of aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. For example, if you want a natural, uneven, and old-European laneway cobblestone look, split-face is ideal because the cobbles have been split from a much larger stone and have a rough look, as though you’ve just found them at the riverbank.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a smoother, uniform, and consistent finish, the tumbled/rumbled look is ideal. Tumbled cobbles have been processed by joining smaller stones together. Though they still look like cobblestones, they have softer edges and are a good option for pathways.

Finally, if you want a textured, natural, slip and moisture-resistant surface, then the exfoliated/flamed finish is the best choice for you. Here the cobblestones have been heated with a high intensity flame making the stone’s surface rough and faded. This means the cobbles have better grip and have a more natural aesthetic.

Regetta Cobblestones add a stylish touch to your home.

Once you’ve decided which finish best suits your project, it’s time to choose from the following three installation options that we stock at Armstone:

• Mesh cobblestones (see adhesion method at the end of this article)
• Cuboid cobblestones
• Split-loose cobblestones

Much like choosing the type of cobblestone depends on the general use and aesthetic for your cobblestone driveway or landscape project, choosing the best installation method factors in your budget and the type of finish you desire.

So let’s look into them in a bit more detail.

1. Mesh Cobblestones

Like the name suggests – instead of using them individually – we glue cobblestone pavers on mesh. The mesh backing offers an easier and more efficient installation process. So instead of fussing around and going through the time-consuming task of installing the cobblestones one piece at a time, you can achieve the natural cobble stone aesthetic at half the cost of installation.

Additionally, since these cobble stone pavers are made from off cuts of different stones, if you’re looking to create an outdoor floor with an un-uniformed style that closely resembles cobblestone flooring found in older European cities, mesh cobblestones are the ideal solution. Their variety of colours and shades adds character and texture to any space.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more uniform shape, size, and colour for your cobblestone flooring, we recommend Granite Cobblestone pavers. These pavers are available on mesh backing in either a flamed or exfoliated finish. The granite has a high non-slip rating of P5, achieved by using high heat to fracture and spall the mineral inclusions. This makes the cobblestones flat and consistent, ideal for pathways and driveways with high traffic. If you’re looking for a consistent finish, Raven Granite Cobblestones and Gris Granite Cobblestones are ideal choices.

If you’re set on installing cobblestone pavers on mesh, learn more about how to do this yourself by reading our article here.

2. Cuboid Cobblestones

Cuboid cobblestones are comprised of loose pieces of bluestone, limestone, marble, and travertine cobblestones. We call them ‘invariable’ because of their invariable and constant sizing. They typically have rumbled edges and a non-slip texture. Invariable cobblestones are ideal for areas where you prefer to have uniform flooring such as high traffic pathways that will be accessed by children and the elderly.

3. Split-Loose Cobblestones

Split-Loose Cobblestones are the last option available at Armstone. These individual stones are split all around, giving the cobbles a traditionally vintage and natural cobblestone look. We recommend installing these cobblestones for exteriors with a more vintage aesthetic. As they provide excellent grip for tyres, split-loose cobblestones are especially ideal for steep driveways.

Being loose individual stones, split-loose cobblestones allow more versatility for installation. For example, you can lay them in either a fan, straight set or brick pattern. Additionally, if you have curved spaces or wish to create a circular design, split-loose cobblestones are the ideal stone paver because they offer you the flexibility to be able to work around otherwise challenging spaces.

Our split cobblestones are generally 100x100mm in length, with a thickness that varies from 30-60mm. Since the stones are split on all 6 sides, it’s very hard to get a consistent thickness throughout. Compared to invariable cobblestones and mesh cobblestones, split-loose cobblestones are also more challenging to install. Thus, it’s best to install them on a mortar bed where you can tap down each individual cobble to make the surface as consistently flat as possible. While the surface will have deviations throughout, it will be reasonably level. If you have any questions regarding the installation process, we recommend reaching out to an experienced professional who understands how to install them so that they are adhered correctly. This way they will provide a solid and durable floor that will stand the test of time.

Adhesion Method for Cobblestones Pavers on Mesh

As we have mentioned above, installing cobblestone pavers on mesh is both faster and more economical than installing other cobblestone pavers like invariable or split-loose cobbles.

Mesh cobblestones can be adhered directly onto the chosen surface using the appropriate adhesive such as the Ardex X18 with an Ardex E90 latex additive.

Prior to adhering to the mesh cobblestones, you need to create the mix and then fix them into place.

1. Mixing

Creating a two-part adhesive requires mixing the adhesive with either an additive or an additive with water. As with most mixes, we recommend carefully reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions. They will advise the best ratios for powder, additive, and water for each product. Follow these closely to create the best mixture.

Pour the advised proportion of additive into a clean mixing container. If you’re adding water, use clean and cool water to the additive and mix until blended. Gradually add the required amount of powder to the additive / diluted additive solution and slowly mix the combination. We recommend using a low-speed mixer to create a smooth and creamy consistency.

Once you’ve achieved the desired mixture, let it stand for 1-2 minutes. Then re-stir the mixture prior to using it to adhere the mesh cobblestones.

2. Fixing

Now that the mixture is ready, it’s time to glue the mesh cobblestones onto your chosen surface. Much like working with any other pavers, first and foremost make sure that your chosen substrate is clean, solid and free of any particles like dust, oil and grease. Make sure your mesh cobblestones are also clean and free from contaminants and dust.

Once everything is clean, follow these steps to install the mesh cobblestones.

1. First and foremost, ensure that the substrate has been cured. Curing ensures that the chosen surface (whether it’s a waterproofing membrane, concrete base, or a screed bed) is of the ideal moisture and temperature for installation purposes. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions so that you’re laying the mesh cobblestones on the best base.
2. Next, work/key in the adhesive into the substrate using a 15mm notch trowel. Then ‘back butter’ the mesh side of the cobblestones, covering the entire surface so that each cobble firmly sticks to the substrate. “Back buttering” is when you spread a thin layer of the adhesive onto a paver prior to adhering it to the desired surface.
3. Once well buttered, firmly press the cobblestone sheet onto the freshly notched adhesive. The base of each individual cobblestone needs to be covered by the adhesive bed. Additionally, the adhesive needs to rise 5-10mm into the joint. Use a rubber mallet to move any cobblestones into their desired positions.
4. To achieve consistent joint spacing for the grout, use joint spacers or wedges between the interlocking sheets. Remove these spacers/wedges once the adhesive sets but is not full cured.
5. Work in controlled spaces with consideration for adhesive open time (pot life).
6. Use a spirit level to ensure the installed mesh cobblestones are the desired flatness/consistency.
7. Ensure that there are no voids beneath the cobblestones by lifting a random sheet from time to time to check.
8. Finally, before the adhesive sets, ensure that any surplus mixture is removed from the surface of the cobblestones and joints.

There you have it!

A step-by-step guide on installing mesh cobblestones.

As usual, if you have any questions, we strongly recommend consulting or working with a professional installer.

In summary, whether you’re decorating the borders around your water feature, or looking to install a timeless and rustic pathway that reminds you of your European adventure, or you want a natural stone paver that can endure the heavy load of your busy driveway, cobblestones pavers are strong and versatile, and an excellent choice for any outdoor exterior.

At Armstone we stock a wide range of cobblestone flooring to suit both traditional and modern home aesthetics including Granite Cobblestones, Porphyry Cobblestones like Porfido, Quartz Cobblestones like Lorax, Marble Cobblestones like Lokki and Limestone Cobblestones like Aria.

Hopefully, this article helped you see why cobblestones are an ideal solution for your driveway and landscaping project. If you need any help, feel free to reach out to our natural stone experts online, over the phone at 1300 560 560 or at our Sydney showroom in Glebe.

We love this stuff and would love to help you bring your cobblestone project to life.

Below video will help you understand why is it important that your trusted stone suppler works closely with Installer.

Our headline is loaded and intriguing and you’re probably wondering:

“But why aren’t tumbled travertine pavers suitable for installation around the pool?”

Good question!

We would love to answer it for you.

There are three major reasons why tumbled travertine pavers aren’t suitable for installation around the pool.

Before we dive head first into these.

We would love to introduce ourselves so that you know that we aren’t just a character blogger who is regurgitating content.

In the past 10 years, Armstone has become one of Sydney’s high-end natural stone suppliers.

Situated in Glebe, we are passionate about supplying you with the best quality pool pavers that transform your outdoors and bring you and your family, joy and happiness.

We love to guide our customers to make the best decision that is perfectly tailored for their project.

We have worked on thousands of multimillion-dollar homes and commercial projects.

Working closely with pool builders, architects and landscapers alike.

We have learnt a few tricks of the trade about how to create attractive natural stone designs.

All the while keeping the area around your pool safe and practical for your entertainment and enjoyment.

Over the years we have received 5 star rated feedback from our lovely clientele.

Making us one of the best stone suppliers in our niche-industry.

Now, let’s get back to the article.

Below we will highlight the three key disadvantages of installing tumbled travertine pavers around your pool area.

If you would like more information about travertine pavers, check out our article on the 9 most frequently asked questions here.

3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T USE TUMBLED TRAVERTINE AROUND THE POOL:

1. TUMBLED TRAVERTINE PAVERS ARE SLIPPERY WHEN WET

A pool is obviously a wet area.

So in order to keep the surrounding paving as safe as possible.

It’s best to install materials that are made of non-slip surfaces.

It is recommended that these extend at least one metre from the pool.

Are graded away from the pool and installed in such a way where any water that gets onto the surface of the stone.

Drains to a waste area so that it decreases the slippage of the stone’s surface.

Ordinarily, tumbled travertine pavers can get slippery when wet.

And as such, it is not recommended for installation around the pool.

How do we know this?

We pride ourselves on testing our natural stones for safety.

To check how slippery stones are, we put them through what’s called a “Wet Pendulum Test”.

We conducted this test on “A” grade travertine pavers and noted that they had a P3 slip rating.

This is the same rating as to your indoor stone or porcelain tiles.

Which means that the stone is slippery when wet.

The Wet Pendulum slip test is where a metal boot.

With a spring-loaded rubber slider on its outsole.

Swings down onto a stone and slides across its surface.

Once the boot swings back up.

The height of the swing helps us determine the slip rating of the surface.

The more slippery the stone is, the higher the pendulum swings.

The “P” Stands for Pendulum Test.

And its rates range between P0 – P5 (see table below for more information).

When choosing a paver for your pool surrounding.

It’s important to understand that when there is too much water on a stone’s surface.

It can naturally get very slippery.

As such, it is much wiser to choose a pool paver with a P4 or P5 slip rating.

These ratings show that the stone has a better grip than a stone with a P3 rating.

For example, while having fun in the sun, excited children tend to run around the pool.

If the stone’s surface has a P3 rating.

It can be tough to keep your balance and a small slip can result in devastating injuries.

Yes, adults included.

P4 or P5 ratings will give you the confidence and peace of mind that your pool paver is safe for everyone to enjoy.

2. TRAVERTINE MAY CONTAIN PITTING THAT TRAPS DEBRIS

One of the characteristics of travertine tumbled pavers.

Is the various sized holes throughout its surface.

This isn’t a defect, but simply a unique trait of the stone.

However, these pits and holes can become quite troublesome outdoors.

Especially as debris and dirt can build up in them.

If installed near a wet area like a pool, these holes are also prone to water filling into them.

As they are hard to clean, eventually the travertine paver will have mould growing in it.

Meticulous maintenance and care are prerequisites for travertine pavers.

For example, it’s recommended to fill these holes with an appropriate grout.

However, this adds additional labour and material cost.

Which coupled with the additional maintenance time, is not always an ideal situation for many homeowners.

If you are keen to learn how to grout travertine pavers, follow this link and read the answer to question 9.

3. TUMBLED TRAVERTINE PAVERS USED AS A COPING CAN CUT OPEN YOUR SKIN

Aside from being super slippery and full of tiny holes that require additional maintenance and care.

Travertine pavers are actually one of the more economical natural stone pavers on the market.

Which is why many people use tumbled pavers as pool coping.

However, to cut costs, they do not purchase the tumbled travertine in an appropriate bull-nosed or pencil-rounded edge.

And this is necessary for pool coping.

You are probably thinking: why not?

Well, many have a preconception and belief that tumbled travertine pavers have a rumbled edge that is “suitable” for pool coping.

As such, they think this cost-cutting method can help them “get away” with using the pavers.

Rather than getting the correct bull-nose, pencil-rounded or drop edge necessary for pool coping.

Like we mentioned in the second point, travertine has naturally occurring holes throughout it.

This is true of its surface and its edges as well.

It is also impossible to source travertine pavers with smooth edges.

Why is this important for pool surroundings and pool coping purposes?

Well, if you run your hand (or foot) over the edges of travertine pavers.

The holes can be so sharp, that they can cut your skin open.

Now imagine you are trying to pull yourself out of the pool.

You grab onto the edge of the travertine paver and cut yourself because the stone is slippery when wet.

And the little holes are sharp as well.

Now you’re injured and the pool is full of bloodied and contaminated water.

We are always amazed at how many consumers close their eyes to this detail.

And even more astounded by how some shady-stone suppliers will never tell you about this, just to close a sale.

To know more here is a video with frequently asked questions about travertine pavers:

Conclusion

Tumbled travertine is a beautiful natural stone.

However, it’s best to avoid installing it in an outdoor area that is susceptible to water.

This is because it can be slippery when wet and cause unnecessary injuries.

When installing pool paving, safety is the first priority.

There are many beautiful pavers that are safe and aesthetically pleasing.

If you want to learn more, check out our article where we share 5 tips on how to choose pool pavers and pool coping.

In case you need any help or guidance finding the right natural stone for your pool paving or coping.

Reach out to us at Armstone and one of our experts will guide you in the right direction.

PS. Below video will help you understand why is it important that your trusted stone suppler works closely with Installer.

We can just imagine what you’re thinking.

Crazy paving?!

What even is that?

So first, let’s take a look at what crazy paving is.

What types of homes it suits best.

How to best lay crazy paving.

And of course, best practices for sealing and grouting.

WHAT IS CRAZY PAVING?

Basically, Crazy Paving is exactly what it sounds like!

It’s stones that have been assembled on the floor in a crazy look with irregularly shaped stones of small, medium and large-sized pieces.

Crazy pavers are also known as flagstones or flagging.

Usually, flagging stones refer to stones that have a natural split finish on the top as well as the bottom.

As such, these can have inconsistent variations of thickness.

The most popular flagstone pavers are Sydney Sandstone.

These can be sourced in many random shapes or more random squared/rectangular shapes.

Crazy paving stones are also available in many other materials, like Bluestone Crazy Paving, Limestone Crazy paving, Marble Crazy paving, Slate Crazy Paving,  Quartz Crazy Paving and Porphyry Crazy Paving.

With its multi-purpose functions, crazy paving can be used for driveways, patios, courtyards, around fire-pits and in many other spaces.

**Trello Limestone Crazy Paving

WHAT STYLE OF HOME DOES CRAZY PAVING SUIT?

Crazy paving and its unique “randomness” works naturally in retro-styled homes and inspire a pleasant retro feel.

Being a versatile material, it also works well in modern settings, creating beautiful terraces and entertaining areas.

As it is easy to use and install, you can also create seamless and organic spaces.

These will complete your home with contemporary or mid-century designs as well.

Many homeowners and designers also strategically use crazy pavers with accessories like dichondra plants.

This is an incredible combination in the modern landscaping industry.

It helps create a truly beautiful balance between land and plants.

**Culburra Quartz Crazy Paving

HOW TO LAY CRAZY PAVERS?

If you are planning to lay crazy paving stones in a foot traffic area that has a concrete slab.

And the crazy paving stones are 20mm in thickness.

You need to use flexible glue to adhere them onto a concrete slab.

If you don’t have a slab, you need a compacted road base and sand-cement mix.

Then you can lay them on the wet bed.

But if you use this method, your stones need to be 30mm or more in thickness.

The type of glue you use depends entirely on the traffic of the area where you’ll be installing the pavers.

For example, a vehicle traffic area like a carport and driveway requires a very different glue to a foot traffic area like a footpath.

Prior to gluing the stones, we recommend laying at least 3 square metres on the floor.

This will help you have a good idea of the shapes and visual design you will be working with.

Then you need to mix the shapes and colours of the natural stones to make them as “crazy” as possible.

There are only two major rules you should follow. 

Rule number one: 

Do your best to create consistent gaps between the pavers.

For example, if you decided on a 20mm gap between the pavers, do not exceed a 30mm gap.

Also, ensure that your gaps are not less than 10mm in width.

Rule number two: 

Do not line the paving pieces consistently with each other.

The goal is to maintain an organic and unstructured look and feel.

As such, the pavers should not be aligned to create any straight lines.

Aim to lay them in a free-form manner.

**Pazzo Crazy Paving

HOW TO SEAL CRAZY PAVING?

Prior to grouting crazy paving pavers with split finishes, you must pre-seal them.

We recommend pre-sealing your crazy paving with Aqua Mix – Pro Block.

We recommend this product because it will help you easily clean off any grout haze or leftover grout from the surface.

This way you’ll be able to keep the job tidy and clean, without hindering your installation process.

Once you finish grouting the crazy pavers, you need to apply a top sealer.

This helps protect the stone, increase its longevity and allow for easier maintenance.

At Armstone we recommend using Aqua Mix – Sealers Choice Gold.

This is a water-based penetrating sealer that also contains a micro-band formula and a low VOC rating.

We also recommend re-sealing outdoor exposed areas every 8 years with our recommended sealer.

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED GROUT FOR CRAZY PAVING?

At Armstone we recommend using Ardex WJ50 grout for crazy paving.

This grout has a lot of colours to choose from.

More importantly Ardex WJ50 doesn’t have polymer in it.

So your grout won’t shrink and you won’t have cracks in the joints.

To avoid possible shrinking issues, Ardex WJ50 is ideal to use in joints that range from 3mm to 50mm in width.

It is recommended to combine the Ardex WJ50 grout with the Ardex Grout Booster.

The Ardex Grout Booster is a water-based, synthetic polymer grout additive.

It was specifically created to be used with cement-based grouts.

It improves the grout’s adhesion strength, flexibility and resistance.

The product is available in a range of colours.

Added benefits include improved colour consistency and excellent workability.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, contact the team at Armstone on 1300 560 560.

Our experts would love to help you.