A sidewalk, driveway or terrace does not have to be paved with paving stones. In the case of these home and urban spaces, concrete will also work perfectly, as it provides exceptional durability and functionality.
In this article, we will look at concrete slabs that can be laid instead of paving stones to aesthetically finish the space around the house or in the city. We will show you what distinguishes such a solution and why it is better than traditional paving stones.
Advantages of concrete slabs – technical parameters
What are the advantages of the surface of concrete slabs, which can become a finishing material for a promenade, driveway and garden path? First of all, it will be the functionality of the surface.
Concrete is characterized by exceptional resistance to the adverse effects of external factors. It is resistant, m.in others, to cracks, mechanical damage or changing weather conditions, thanks to which it will be an ideal complement to the home space for many years.
In addition, it is a very practical solution that does not require special care or impregnation. In the case of concrete slabs, it will be much easier to keep them clean. To clean it, all you need is water and detergent. In addition, you are able to get rid of even oil stains from concrete.
Another feature of concrete slabs is their unique design, which can be combined with other elements of the environment. Slabs such as (e.g. terrazzo made of noble concrete) are in trend and thanks to them you can bet on minimalism, which fits perfectly into modern architectural styles. ✅
Advantages of paving stones
What are the advantages of traditional paving stones? Pavement paving is characterized by high resistance to loads, so it often occurs where there is increased traffic of cars and trucks. Therefore, paving stones are perfect for the driveway, parking lot or city square.
This usable building material is easy to assemble and disassemble, which allows it to be flexibly adapted to the designed space.
Thanks to the variety of shapes, colors and patterns available on the market, paving stones allow you to create interesting aesthetic compositions that give character to the surroundings.
Possibilities of arranging concrete slabs and paving stones
A terrace, sidewalk or driveway lined with both slabs and paving stones gives great possibilities in arranging the space. The various formats, patterns and colours of these building materials allow them to be used creatively in private and public projects. They open up a wide range of design and aesthetic arrangements in the outdoor space.
Both concrete slabs and paving stones are used in the creation of a variety of patterns and motifs, which makes it possible to create original and attractive compositions that catch the eye.
In addition, their laying is not a laborious process, which makes it a popular solution for architects and investors for various types of investments.
What challenges are concrete slabs and paving stones exposed to on the pavement, driveway and terrace?
Due to their location, both concrete slabs and paving stones are exposed to many adverse factors.
These are usually areas that heat up a lot and often occur in an area where there is increased vehicle traffic. Therefore, they must be characterized by high resistance to load or mechanical damage.
In addition, paving slabs are exposed to variable and often violent weather phenomena such as hail, rain, high temperature or frost. Hence, the feature of the material itself, which will line external private and urban spaces – should be high resistance to weather conditions.
You can opt for porcelain stoneware or porcelain tiles.
Concrete slab pavement can be very durable
When we build a house or design a public space and finish an outdoor space such as a terrace or driveway – we care primarily about the durability and quality of the outdoor surface so that it can serve the residents or household members for a longer time.
The use of noble (architectural) concrete in such places brings many benefits. This raw material can be recognized by its exceptional durability and resistance for years, regardless of the prevailing conditions.
However, you do not have to opt for a traditional concrete screed. You can confidently use concrete slabs for your garage driveway and other exterior surfaces that you want to be durable and reliable.
Concrete slabs – an alternative to paving stones? Benefits of using concrete slabs instead of paving stones
In this part of the article, you may not yet see the significant difference between concrete and cobblestone. So now it will bring you closer to the benefits you can gain when you opt for the first solution.
Why are concrete slabs better than traditional paving stones? First of all, concrete is a material with high resistance to mechanical damage, abrasion and weather conditions, which makes concrete slabs more resistant to deformation and cracks than paving stones.
Secondly, concrete slabs have a larger surface area and even structure, which facilitates installation and ensures the stability of the substrate. This allows concrete slabs to cover larger areas in less time, resulting in lower installation costs and faster construction speeds.
Thirdly, concrete is a much more aesthetic solution than paving stones, which are usually available in reduced colours, designs or formats. On the other hand , concrete exterior slabs are available in a huge range of colors, in various sizes, textures (you can find not only rough tiles, but also smooth ones) or thicknesses (e.g. 8 cm or 16 cm thick). This gives a huge sea of possibilities for architects and investors in the process of creating stunning projects.
Large-format paving slabs – where will they be the right solution?
In addition to the regular formats such as 20×20 cm, you can find such large formats of concrete slabs on the market. e.g. 100×100 cm. Where will such large-format tiles work?
Large-format concrete slabs are a solution that works perfectly in various places, especially where a durable and aesthetic surface is needed.
Their large size allows for faster installation and the creation of uniform surfaces without unnecessary joints, making them an attractive choice for many places. So you can use such large formats to create a driveway made of slabs or use them in parking lots, city squares, sidewalks, bicycle paths, recreational areas and many other places.
Can a concrete paving slab have an anti-smog effect?
Is the use of concrete in the exterior still not a good solution for you? Do you think that it is a non-ecological material that is responsible, m.in other things, for the formation of heat islands in large cities? And did you know that concrete can be ecological?
Progress and modern technologies used in the production process of concrete products allow for a lot. As a result, DASAG offers Aria anti-smog tiles that contribute to sustainable construction.
The surface of the tile is equipped with titanium oxide, which, under the influence of UV radiation, purifies the air of nitric oxide, which is harmful to health. What’s more, the Aria plate does not wear out and its performance does not change over time.
Modern paving slabs from the DASAG offer – durability and aesthetics
If you want to combine high-quality workmanship with the unique aesthetics of concrete slabs, be sure to check out our offer.
The products we offer are modern solutions that have been appreciated by many architects and investors in the process of creating unique projects. Among them you will find large-format slabs as well as in standard format. A variety of colors and designs.
What are the arrangement possibilities of DASAG paving slabs?
Paving slabs DASAG offer a wide range of arrangement possibilities, so they can be an excellent choice for various projects related to the arrangement of outdoor spaces.
Whether you are looking for a traditional pattern or a modern design for large-format slabs, the DASAG offer provides a wealth of options that allow you to tailor the surface to your individual aesthetic preferences and the character of the environment.
If you are looking for inspiration, check out sample projects using our external noble concrete paving slabs.