Six Things You Need To Check Before Buying Paving Stones in New Zealand

It is not surprising that more and more homeowners are now turning to the use of paving stones for the exterior flooring of their walkways, driveways, and patios more than ever before. The usages of paving stones in New Zealand is in high demand. People after paving stones for building or decorating their home or garden floors.  History tells us that the Romans have long been known to used paving stones in the construction of their roads. There is no doubt that an outdoor area paved with stones offers a lot of benefits, compared to one without paving. Apart from adding to the aesthetic look of the place; they are equally known to last longer, and cheaper to maintain, safer to live in, as they are not prone to damage from elements such as erosion, or heavy rainfall. Paving stones or Pavers are tiles, bricks, concrete pavers made from different materials such as granite, bricks, clay, that are molded into different shapes, and allowed to set, before being applied on the natural soil.  Concrete pavings is more popular in New Zealand. Beside, many stones suppliers supply Terrazzo paving stones in Auckland, New Zealand. According to our research, we found that most of paving stones are internationally sourced and can be different color and different sizes.  Though there are other alternatives to paving stones in the form of concrete slabs, and asphalt, none of these can offer the durability, and flexibility paving stones offers. Roads that are constructed with paving stones are known to be able to withstand heavy traffic at year round without deteriorating compared to those with ordinary asphalt, or concrete slabs.

It is indeed a welcome development that in the last two (2) years, we have witnessed a greater number of homeowners, and companies using pavers, and more new companies dealing in paving stones have emerged, compared to 5 years before now. Be it as it may, there is need for buyers to be aware of things to be taken into consideration when they need to buy paving stones. So, it is important to check some facts while purchasing paving stones . If you can deal this things nicely , you might save thousands dollar as well. I have been able to provide you below 6 things you need to check before paving stones.

Six (6) You Need To Check Before Buying Paving Stones

1. Determine The Usage Of The Paved Area

 So, there are different types of pavers for different types of usages. Some people use paving stones for home floor and some people use stones for decorating garden. Each type of use might require different types of stones. It is always a good practice before committing your money to have in mind the knowledge of the usage of the areas to be paved. Paving stones are known to come in different size, and thickness. The thickness of the stones would provide you an insight of the weights it can adequately and safely support without breakage. While the thinner options are more suited for walkways, and patios, but the thicker ones are ideal for roads, where heavy equipment passes through. So, it is very important to determine the usages of the paved area.

2. Determine the areas to be paved

It is always a good practice to know in advance of the areas you want to paved. A paving professional can help you measure the areas to be paved. This would provide you with the knowledge of the quantity of pavers to buy.  I can recommend to contact local stonemason before buying paving stones. A good stonemason can be able to estimate total amount of stones and might suggest good suppliers as well.

Be it as it may, it is advisable to buy some extra pavers, probably 5% more to what has been measured. This would help avoid some inconvenience such as accidental breakages of stones during the paving process.

3. Determine The Materials to use

There are indeed a lot of materials you can use for the paving of your outdoor areas. Depending on your choice you can choose to use a concrete paver, clay brick paver, natural stone paver or even a rubber pavers. All of them are known to have their merits, and demerits. The application of the paving stones in most instances should guide your choice of the materials to select. Cost wise, areas paved with natural stone materials are known to be very expensive, while those paved with rubber seems to be the cheapest. So, before buying pavers, talk to suppliers or stonemason and understand that which type of materials used for your desire products. 

4. Pavers Manufacturer Customers Base, and Certification Record

Well, in New Zealand, each stonemason or builders must have certain level of certification. They might carry different types of product certification as well. For example, Eco-friendly . As earlier mentioned, we have witnessed more new companies who are into the production of paving stones, and at such, checking on some information to ascertain their credibility’s is a welcome idea. Information like customers’ base, and ISO certification(s) can give a consumer the confidence that he is dealing with a reputable organization that is committed to producing only paving stones that meets the standard set. If you are not sure about it , talk to local council's trade department or local tradesman association regarding stones certification  or any obligation.  

5. Maintenance cost

Areas paved with paving stones are not known to last forever. There would occasionally be need to do some maintenance on them. The maintenance cost of different paving stones differs, since they are produced from different materials. Some stonemason provide regular maintenance support for their building products. So, you need to make sure that your care getting free maintenance support or quote for regular maintenance cost.   

6. Understand What Each Pavers Offers

As earlier mentioned, there are different types of paving stones you can use for your outdoor areas. It is important you have an understanding of the advantages, and disadvantages of each paving stones. The use of paving stone has come to stay, and as we progress into the future, I’m optimistic that more and more people would embrace it use. The above six listed points can serve as a guide to anyone on things to check for before buying paving stones.

I understand that it is hard to ensure all of features before buying paving stones. Some people might look for affordable or cheap stones, then there are no option for making sure 100% quality products. However, i can recommend to buy quality products for your local suppliers. It might save your  products transporting cost as well.