Faqs

Natural stone is the forefront building material used all over the world. It is a classic choice for monuments, homes, landscape detailing, flooring, decoration and more. When properly cared for, it lasts for generations. It is a strong building material, able to bear heavy loads and withstand repeated use. Most of all, it is beautiful, adding natural elegance to your home.

There are many types of stone pavers available in Australia for outdoor use in landscapes and gardens as well as indoor applications, including travertine, limestone, granite, marble, slate, basalt and bluestone. Each has a distinctive appearance and unique characteristics that, when carefully integrated into a design, enhance the look and atmosphere of any property. Outdoor & General stock a wide range of outdoor natural stone pavers that work well outdoors while complimenting indoor designs.

Granite pavers are extremely versatile. They can be used outdoors in many applications, including patio flooring, stepping stone paths, pool surrounds, driveway paving, sidewalks, borders and entryways. They can be cut into many shapes and sizes making it a practical stone while maintaining uniformity in designs. Granite pavers have also been incorporated in many grand outdoor designs.

When it comes to wet areas, you need to choose a pavement solution that is durable and slip resistant. Stone pavers are ideal for this because they have strong and suitable qualities while also being aesthetically pleasing. For pool areas, you will require a paver that can withstand salt, chlorine and general chemical exposure. Travertine, limestone and bluestone are all excellent options.

If you are interested in creating a stepping stone walkway, you can find our how-to guide on laying stepping stones here.

You can place stepping stones over grass. However, it is ideal to place stepping stones on levelled-out sand or directly on top of soil. This makes it more stable so we recommend removing turf from beneath the stone position.

Ideally you want a path that corresponds comfortably to the average person’s stride. We recommend laying stepping stones on the ground surface 100 to 200mm apart.

To clean outdoor pavers, clear the space and move any furniture or objects that may be on the pavers. Wash down the pavers and then apply your chosen cleaning solution. Scrub the pavers down then rinse the pavers. Alternatively, follow the instructions on the back of the product.

The decision your faced regarding the use of cleaners & sealers is equally important with choosing the right product for your home. Sealers help protect your pride and joy from any nasty stains.

While it’s not necessary for any structural or performance reasons, we do recommend that you seal your pavers to protect your investment. Sealing your pavers will ensure they look great and remain that way for years to come. The last thing you want is for your brand new paved area to be stained from the BBQ, spilt drinks,tannin stains or anything else your area may be subject to. These types of stains can be tough to remove but easier to maintain at lowcost when the surface is sealed.

While there are many sealers in the market today they are essentially of two types, penetrating and wet look. Penetrating sealers are designed to seal the pavement and provide a water repelling coat that doesn’t change the appearance or colour of the paver. In contrast, wet look sealers will alter the colour of your pavement, literally making it look wet. This can enhance the original colour, but really is a personal preference and may affect the slip resistance factor of the paver. We provide excellent cleaners ranging from routine cleaners for sealed surfaces to heavy duty cleaners for post installation and stain removal cleaning. Check out the products from Environex and Dry Treat leading sealer manufacturers and cleaning product experts by clicking on the icons below to their customised product selection of cleaners & sealers.

We recommend sealing all types of stone. Sealer keeps water, dust, grime and acidic substances from affecting a stone’s surface. Because travertine is made primarily of calcium carbonate, it is more prone to acid attacks. Outdoors, bird droppings and rain can contain acids that eventually erode the surface. Some foods, wine, beverages, oils and cleansers also can affect the surface. Sealing stone prevents efflorescence, or build-up of salts and other minerals on the stone’s surface. We stock a range of sealers that can be used indoors and out. We can help you select an appropriate product for your application. If rising salt is a problem on existing stones in your home or business, we also stock products that remove unsightly deposits and stains.