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Design

Laying design can make a significant contribution to the overall appearance of the area to be paved. The options for distinctive end-results, whether from patterning of an individual product, or via combinations of products and shades are almost infinite.

This section is, therefore, necessarily confined to basic principles only, from which designs to suit specific projects may be individually developed.

Preliminary checks

Ensuring that the specified paving system is suitable for its intended purpose is a fundamental requirement. Before deciding on laying design, it is advisable to validate product selection against anticipated traffic, loadings etc.

The following checklist may, therefore, be helpful:

  • Accordingly, under normal service conditions, does the selected paving meet the necessary criteria in terms of strength, thickness and declared traffickability?

Note:
In addition to trafficking principals it is recommended that ground paving should not be used in areas with significant gradients or in internal applications immediately adjacent to an external entrance.

General principles

Design and overall looks may be influenced by choices within one or more of the following:

Laying patterns

The principal patterning styles are as listed and illustrated. However, there are other related choice factors which may be influential on final laying design and contribute attractive visual results.

These include:

  • Complementary combinations of two or more paving types/products
    (instead of sole use of just one paving type/product).
  • Combinations of two or more patterns or styles.
  • The use of such variations for functional zoning
    (e.g. to denote designated walkways) as well as decorative effect.

Colour contrasts

Differing shades of the same, or a complementary paving product, may similarly be used for zoning purposes or simply to add to the aesthetic appeal of the end-result.

Edge restraints/detailing

All paved areas require strong and stable edge restraints. Wherever selected patterning results in an irregular perimeter, edge detailing for the paved area needs to be pre-planned to ensure neat finishing against kerbing, walling or other adjoining areas.

Laying patterns

Options include:
Chequerboard: preferably not used for vehicle overrun.
Stretcher bond: provides a better performance for occasional vehicle overrun compared with Chequerboard pattern.

Edge details

Edge detailing requirements are largely dependent on the adopted laying style. Certain patterns resulting in irregular edges can be completed by cutting units to fit.

In some cases, however, this is difficult or unsatisfactory because only very small cut-pieces would be required to abut kerbs or other edge restraints.

Stretcher courses

Such cases can be resolved by planning perimeter stretcher courses to ‘frame’ or part-border the main paved area in question.

Stretcher courses may also be planned for other laying patterns for purely aesthetic reasons.