Granite Paving Leeds

Granite Paving

Granite is a natural paving material and is very hard wearing. Traditionally it has been used for many years to provide a form of cobbled paving and due to it's hard wearing attributes is often used as a driveway surface. For driveways smaller brick or cobbled paving stones are use as a block paving. However, granite paving is now available in many more shapes, sizes and finishes and due to it's hardwearing scratch resistant and non-slip surface , it is superbly suited for patios and pathways.

As stones and slabs are cut from natural granite deposits, rather than man made, this will mean that there will be unique subtle variances from one stone to another. It is often this non-uniform characteristics which make it so popular for many garden styles. It provides a rugged natural look and colours can vary amongst shades of greys, blacks, roses and yellows. With larger slabs, following additional flame finishing which aids it's slip resistant quality and also brings out the mineral deposits that can catch the sunlight and provide a subtle sparkle finish.

Granite Paving in Leeds

Yellow granite with dark granite edging
Granite stone setts
Light grey granite paving

Granite Paving Options

Granite paving comes in many dramatically different forms. Since it is so durable it is commonly used for driveways. For driveways the granite stones are often small and brick sized as they are fitted as a block paving. Compared to standard block paving which used very uniformed bricks using granite instead gives a more traditional look and is especially popular for period properties. The granite bricks can either come as cobbles or setts. The difference between the two is the shape and finish, cobles are much rounded and have softer edges whilst the setts are rough cut and are much more angular.

Whilst the smaller sizes can be used as pathways and as an edging in gardens when looking at granite for paving and patios you really need to be looking at paving slabs. These will typically range from very light greys to dark greys but as mentioned, you will also be able to find red and yellow shades too. As well as the typical rectangular slab, granite paving can quite often be found cut into longer thinner paving slabs - somewhere between a plank and a slab. These look great either as the main patio or as a boarder to another shade granite paving.

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Looking after Granite Paving

Most manufacturers will recommend sealing granite to ensure that it stays looking like new for as long as possible. As with most surface treatments it needs to be applied to a clean surface. Cleaning granite is similar to most paving types with initial brushing off of loose dirt and then followed up pressure washing. Since the sealant will act as a protective layer it protects what's underneath it so it's important to clean you paving as best you can otherwise what you leave behind will be sealed in. Ideally you should check the status of the jointing between the slabs and deal with any topping up and touching up first.

Applying sealing is fairly straight forward but you will have a few choices regarding sealants. Some come with a hint of colour to enhance paving which has faded over tie by the sun. However, if you are sealing new paving you are likely to simply protect the natural colour of your granite and a clear sealant will be ideal.

The are a couple of main options regarding the type of sealant that can be used, either a resin based sealant or a water based one. So what's the difference between the two? Application of both is similar so roller, brush or sprayed onto the surface of the granite will coat the slab. The water based sealant provides more of an outer protective coating so does wear off quicker over time and will therefore near re-sealing on a more frequent basis but is the cheaper option. The resin based sealant penetrates deeper in to the stone so provides more all round protection but both are great at protecting your granite from stains, weathering and water absorption.

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Frequently Asked Paving Questions

  • Can you paint patio slabs?

    The brief reply to the question is yes. However, if you are thinking of repainting your outdoor patio rather than replacing it you truly ought to not try to do this on a tight budget - which may seem counterintuitive but it will be counterproductive.

    Top-quality acrylic based paints would certainly be best. However, you must understand that to provide resilience these paints will certainly require to be applied heavily and also in numerous coats with a brush or roller. Also, they should be allowed to completely dry normally for a couple of days, so please inspect the forecast prior to starting this course of action. These paints are often designed for warehouses for marking safety routes so the colour options may also be a little unnatural for a garden environment. 

    With a painted patio - remember this is just a layer and will undergo table and chair bumps and scrapes. It may give a band-aid approach to boosting the look of your patio for a little while but once the paint starts to chip away attempting to overpaint once more will certainly not look great!

  • Can you lay patio slabs straight onto grass?

    Of course, you can simply lay a paving piece on any surface area however you need to think about what will be completed effect. If you just intended to use a few slabs simply as a stepping rock then with a little sand and a little work with a spade you could level the ground to place a paver that can be stepped on without wobbling for a while. However, if you are intending on utilising chairs, tables, bar-b-ques you really should set your paving slabs into an effectively-prepared sub-base, which will certainly provide a strong, flat base for your pavers to then be fixed onto a mortar base. This will prevent weeds from showing up via paving joints and also ensure you do not have loose or unsteady paving stones.

  • Which is better for a patio area - decking or paving?

    Clearly, an installer who only does one of these will persuade you down that particular path. However, there are some scenarios where one may have the edge over the other. One of the main ones being the budget you are working with.

    As a quick comparison - especially against wooden decking a patio made up from any of the slab options we have covered will be stronger, and as a result, last longer and require less maintenance. However, if you want to have a large single level social area and have a garden on a steep slope decking will offer a more cost-effective solution. The decking can be laid on a frame, which can simply be build up from the lower end of the slope. To do the same for a paved patio will require much more death moval and supporting walls to be constructed so will be more costly. 

  • Can the same paving slabs be used for a driveway?

    Yes - certain types of paving can also be used for a driveway so you can have consistent paving from the front of your house down the sides and to your back garden patio. 

    Not all pavers will be suitable but granite setts and driveway grade Indian stone would be perfectly good choices for this.

  • What's the best way to clean a patio

    Clearly, this will depend on how dirty your patio is and whether or not staining has taken place.

    For regular quick and easy cleaning simply mixing a cup of washing up liquid in a bucket of warm water and brushing this across your patio with a firm bristled brush is suitable for all types of pavers. 

    Pressure washing can be used for most pavers but this can remove sealers - although thoroughly cleaning this way will be good preparation for re-sealing when dry. with a pressure washer you should be more careful near the joints as high pressure can damage and dislodge jointing. If this does happen it is best to apply some jointing compound to prevent this from becoming an area for weed and algae growth. There are many options on the market, many of which can simply be brushed into the gaps so no DIY skills requried.