General Information

To help you obtain the utmost satisfaction and long service from our product range we are happy to make you aware of the following:

COLOURS

The colours depicted on this web site are as accurate as your screen will allow. Tonal variations are evident in all StoneFlair’s manufactured and natural stone products, we therefore recommend that colours are judged from actual materials. This is of significant importance when selecting a natural stone product which, by its very nature, each component will exhibit considerable deviations. It is important to view a range of samples at a stockist to acknowledge the authentic diversity in colours, texture and markings.

StoneFlair’s manufactured products are designed to simulate natural stone and naturally occurring aggregates are utilised, therefore a variation between batches can occur. To produce an overall natural appearance when using two or more packs of product we suggest that individual products are drawn from each pack and mixed on site at the onset of the project.

Reconstructed stone products will weather in a similar way to natural stone, therefore the effect of the elements and site conditions may cause some colour change dependent on the degree of exposure.

After laying, some natural stone products may exhibit a brown colouration when oxidation of any iron content occurs.

MAINTENANCE / CLEANING

Regular maintenance is required to keep the overall appearance of the product in pristine condition. We recommend thoroughly washing paved areas with warm soapy water and brushing off with a stiff broom three or four times a year.

High pressure washers are not recommended for use on wet cast manufactured paving.

StoneFlair cannot be held responsible for the possible effects or damage caused by the contamination or application of some chemically based products which come into contact with a concrete surface, e.g. some weed killers and acid or alkali based cleaners.

Common salt should not be used to de-ice wet cast paving. To prevent possible surface damage always use a proprietary brand of de-icing product expressly formulated for use on concrete.

DRAINAGE

When laying a patio or path close to a house or dwelling it is essential that the finished paving surface level is at least 150mm below damp course level and should slope away from the building (a fall of 1:60 is generally sufficient). All paved areas should be gently sloping to allow excess water to be directed away and should always be laid on well drained ground. Any base preparation should also allow for drainage. Poor drainage may result in water retention and may affect the weathering characteristics of the materials.

POINTING

For best results a strong semi-dry mortar mix is recommended (with sufficient water content to bind but not so much as to stain the paving when introduced). Pointing is best completed as laying work progresses and should be carried out during dry spells of weather. Sufficient pointing mortar should be mixed to be used within 30-45 minutes (less in hot weather conditions). After this time it may become too dry to bond. If spaces between paving are filled with sand, modified sand or decorative stone, moisture may be held in the joints and water may penetrate the sub-base for excessive periods of time, resulting in the possible occurrence of dark staining on the top surface or around the edges of the paving.

SUITABILITY

StoneFlair’s manufactured products are reconstructed stone and the paving range is primarily intended for domestic landscape use. The manufacturer cannot accept any liability in respect of products being used for any inappropriate purpose.

In the unlikely event of products reaching you in less than satisfactory condition, please refer to your stockist without delay. StoneFlair cannot accept responsibility once the product has been laid.

EFFLORESCENCE

The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for this naturally occurring phenomenon, which can be characteristic in quality concrete products containing a high cement content. In their early life concrete products may exhibit an apparent loss of colour and efflorescence may appear in the form of a bloom or stain on the face of the product. The effect generally disappears with the combination of the natural weathering process and the passage of time and its appearance is not detrimental to the performance of the material.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Many products within our range are heavy. It is recommended that items over 25kg or those that are awkward in shape should be handled by more than one person, or suitable lifting equipment is used. It is suggested that work gloves are used to prevent abrasion to hands and lime burns from wet mortar. Eye protection (safety goggles) should also be used when cutting with either chisels or rotary disc cutters, also suitable respiratory protection (dust mask) should be used to avoid dust inhalation when using high speed cutters.

PLEASE NOTE

All dimensions quoted in this brochure are nominal and are subject to manufacturing tolerances and actual sizes will vary as products are designed to replicate natural stone which features riven profiles and irregular fettled edges.

Our policy is one of continuous improvement, innovation and development and as such we reserve the right to change specification without notice.