Granite paving slabs — direct from our quarry in Portugal

The grey granite paving slab is the most durable way to lay a patio, a drive or a courtyard in natural stone. Quarried and sawn in our own quarry in Portugal, it is solid stone — not a bonded tile or a reconstituted concrete slab — dense, frost-proof and non-slip. You buy direct from the producer: the delivered price is the final price to your door, with no middleman and no carriage charges tacked on at the end. Slabs are sold by the square metre and come in two thicknesses to suit the use.

In 20 mm thickness, the slab is pedestrian: it dresses patios, poolsides and garden paths. Bonded onto a stabilised concrete screed, it gives a flat, even surface that is easy to look after. In 30 mm thickness, the same grey granite slab becomes driveable: laid on a suitable foundation, it takes regular vehicle traffic and so suits garage drives, courtyards and access ways. Same dense grey granite, same frost resistance, same delivery across Europe — only the thickness, and therefore the load-bearing capacity, changes.

Why choose granite over another material

Portuguese granite brings together quality, good looks and a competitive price. It is a very hard igneous rock, with a compressive strength above 214 MPa and water absorption below 0.2%. Our slabs are manufactured to BS EN 1341 (slabs of natural stone for external paving) and are CE / UKCA marked, with a Declaration of Performance available. European granite, not Chinese import: most granite paving sold in the UK comes from China (grades G603, G654) resold through several hands, while ours is quarried and cut in our own quarry in Europe — a shorter supply chain, full traceability and dense stone that resists frost and staining. We don't import stone — we extract it. In plain terms, a granite slab will not crack in the frost, will not distort in the heat and does not stain easily. Where a concrete slab greys, grows moss and crumbles after a few winters, granite paving holds its looks for decades. By buying direct from the quarry, you pay for the stone, not the chain of resellers: that is what lets us quote a producer's price, delivery included.

Choosing the right thickness

The rule is simple: 20 mm for anything pedestrian (patios, garden paths, poolsides), 30 mm as soon as a vehicle crosses it (garage entrance, driveable courtyard, access). If in doubt — say a mixed path that a car uses now and then — we would suggest going for the 30 mm, which is the safer choice. Just tell us the intended use on the quote form and we will confirm the thickness with you.

The method depends on the thickness and the use. Here are the main principles; if in doubt, call in a paviour or ask us for advice on the quote form.

1. The foundation

For a 30 mm driveable slab, prepare a free-draining foundation: dig out, lay a geotextile then a compacted hardcore bed, and finally a bed of stabilised sand. Laying on adjustable pedestals is also an option on a terrace. For a 20 mm pedestrian slab, form a stabilised concrete screed that is perfectly level: the slab is bonded down with an exterior tile adhesive.

2. The fall

Always allow a slight fall of 1 to 2% (that is 10 to 20 mm per metre) away from walls, to shed rainwater and avoid standing water.

3. The joints

Fill the joints with jointing mortar for a driveable surface, or with stabilised sand for a free-draining path. A width of 5 to 10 mm is enough; stagger the joints to strengthen the whole.

4. Cutting

Cut the slab with an angle grinder or a saw fitted with a diamond blade, wetting to keep the dust down. Wear goggles and protective gear. A light chamfer on the edges prevents spalling.