Paving contractors glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a paving contractor provider in Cheltenham.
- What are cropped setts?
- Small rectangular natural stone blocks, typically granite or sandstone, with a rough split face used in traditional driveways and decorative paving layouts.
- What are edge restraints (edging kerbs)?
- Edge restraints are fixed kerbs or channels installed around the perimeter of block paved areas to contain the blocks and prevent outward movement.
- What are riven paving slabs?
- Riven paving slabs are stone or concrete pavers with a textured, naturally split surface finish created by cleaving along the stone's grain, rather than sawing smooth.
- What is a cold joint in tarmac paving?
- A cold joint is the seam or edge where newly laid tarmac meets an existing surface or an earlier day's paving work, typically weaker than surrounding asphalt due to temperature loss and poor adhesion.
- What is a dropped kerb?
- A dropped kerb is a section of kerb lowered to pavement level to allow vehicle access from the road onto a private driveway, typically requiring local council consent.
- What is a sub-base?
- The sub-base is a compacted layer of aggregate material, typically MOT Type 1, laid beneath paving to distribute loads and provide stable structural support.
- What is a whacker plate (plate compactor)?
- A whacker plate is a motorized, hand-held compaction tool that uses rapid downward force to compress soil, gravel, and paving bed materials during construction.
- What is block paving?
- Block paving is a surface construction method where individual concrete or clay blocks are laid in patterns on a compacted sand and stone base to create driveways, patios, and other hard surfaces.
- What is falls and gradient in paving?
- Falls and gradient refers to the intentional slope built into a paved surface to channel rainwater away from buildings and prevent pooling or water damage.
- What is flexible vs rigid paving?
- Flexible paving uses layered materials (block, gravel, or bound macadam) that move slightly under load, while rigid paving uses solid surfaces (concrete or tarmac) that distribute weight across a large area without flexing.
- What is herringbone bond?
- A laying pattern for block paving where rectangular blocks are set at 45 or 90 degrees to one another in an interlocking zigzag arrangement, creating structural strength and resistance to vehicle loads.
- What is Indian sandstone?
- Indian sandstone is a natural stone imported for outdoor paving, characterized by a split riven surface and variable colour ranging from warm ochres and reds to browns and greys.
- What is kiln dried sand?
- Kiln dried sand is fine-grained jointing material heated in a kiln to remove moisture, then brushed into gaps between paving blocks to stabilise them and prevent weeds and water ingress.
- What is line marking (thermoplastic road markings)?
- Thermoplastic line marking is a permanent road surface marking method using heat-fused polymer coatings to define parking bays, traffic routes, and safety zones on car parks and paved surfaces.
- What is MOT Type 1?
- MOT Type 1 is a crushed limestone or granite aggregate material used as a sub-base layer, classified by particle grading and compaction specifications.
- What is permeable paving?
- Permeable paving is a surface material that allows water to pass through it into the ground beneath, rather than creating runoff like solid concrete or tarmac.
- What is planning permission for driveways?
- Planning permission is formal consent from a local planning authority required before installing or enlarging certain driveways, typically those creating more than 5 square metres of impermeable surface.
- What is porcelain paving?
- Porcelain paving is a dense fired ceramic material engineered into large format slabs for outdoor patios and landscaping, designed to resist water absorption and freeze-thaw damage.
- What is resin bonded surfacing?
- Resin bonded surfacing is a method where loose stone aggregate is scattered onto a tacky resin base layer, then rolled and cured to create a textured, permeable surface.
- What is resin bound surfacing?
- Resin bound surfacing is a durable permeable finish created by mixing natural stone aggregate with clear polyurethane or epoxy resin and trowelling it to a smooth, level surface.
- What is sharp sand?
- Sharp sand is a coarse, angular sand used as a bedding layer beneath block paving to provide a stable, level base for the blocks to sit on.
- What is SuDS (sustainable drainage systems)?
- SuDS are drainage methods that manage surface water by using permeable materials, infiltration, and attenuation features to reduce runoff and flooding while improving water quality.
- What is tarmac (asphalt)?
- Tarmac is a mixture of bitumen (a sticky petroleum product) and mineral aggregate (stone chippings) compacted into a durable road or driveway surface.
- What is York stone?
- York stone is a honey-coloured sandstone quarried in Yorkshire, England, used for paving in gardens and around period buildings, available both newly quarried and reclaimed from older installations.