Description
Enhancing Safety: Sandblasted Bluestone’s Non-Slip Superiority
When it comes to creating safe and slip-resistant surfaces, sandblasted bluestone stands as the gold standard, especially in settings like swimming pool areas or any place where the risk of slipping is a paramount concern. This is not merely a matter of opinion; it’s a matter of cold, hard numbers and technical ratings.
Impressive Technical Ratings:
The numbers speak volumes, with sandblasted bluestone achieving a remarkable R rating of 12. This R rating reflects the material’s exceptional resistance to slipping, making it a prime choice for applications where safety is a non-negotiable priority. But it doesn’t stop there; the wet pendulum rating for sandblasted bluestone is an outstanding P5 (60), underlining its reliability in wet conditions.
Runner-Up Champions: Sawn and Lightly Honed Bluestone
While sandblasted bluestone takes the lead in the safety race, its counterparts, sawn bluestone and lightly honed bluestone, are certainly no slouches. Sawn bluestone boasts an R rating of 11, meaning it’s highly slip-resistant as well. Its wet pendulum rating stands strong at P5 (56), offering substantial support in potentially wet surroundings.
Lightly honed bluestone follows closely with an R rating of 11, providing an equally sturdy defense against slipperiness. Its wet pendulum rating of P5 (55) further solidifies its reliability in wet conditions.
Versatile Safety Solutions: All Varieties Fit the Bill
Here’s the good news: all three varieties of bluestone – sandblasted, sawn, and lightly honed – are not only acceptable but also excellent choices for both commercial and domestic use. Whether you’re designing an elegant residential pool area or a bustling public space, these bluestone options ensure safety without compromising on style or functionality.
In summary, sandblasted bluestone’s impressive non-slip credentials, with its R rating of 12 and wet pendulum rating of P5 (60), make it the top choice for areas where slipperiness is a concern. However, sawn bluestone and lightly honed bluestone, with their notable ratings, are formidable contenders in their own right. All three varieties offer reliable slip resistance, rendering them suitable for a wide array of applications, be it around swimming pools or any place where safety is a top priority. Choose bluestone, and elevate both the aesthetic and safety quotient of your space.
Standard Grade V Premium Grade
Here we will discuss the different characteristics of these two distinct bluestone categorisations.
Generally speaking, Standard Grade Bluestone will have the following characteristics:
A higher percentage of tiles or pavers containing naturally occurring catspaw, between 3-15% of the surface of the tile.
Cutting tolerances during the process of slicing the bluestone boulders up into tiles or pavers. In this case, a variation or tolerance allowance of +-3mm is to be expected. This leads to the occasional tile or paver being slightly out of square and is the reason why we recommend laying ONLY in a brick bond or stretcher bond pattern (which may fix these issues). If laying in adhesive, we recommend using a 6mm notch trowel to spread the adhesive BOTH on the slab and on the entire back of every tile or paver in a cross thatched pattern.
In some rare instances where some Ferro particles may be in the catspaw, it should be noted that these can be hidden during the grouting process.
The non-slip rating is HIGHER due to the sawn surface finish during the cutting process.
Premium Harkaway Bluestone comparison:
Less naturally occurring catspaw, usually around 0-5% of any tile or pavers surface.
Variation or tolerance allowance of +-1.5mm is to be expected.
Naturally occurring light surface pattern and colour variations may be present compared to standard grade.
Surface finish is lightly honed, giving a slightly smoother finish, however, is still classified as a non-slip surface.
INSTALLATION - SEALING - MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Installation Guidelines
We recommend that you grade the pavers into 2-3 thickness groups prior to installation. This is easily done as you are taking the tiles out of the crates and will also mix any variations in colour through the job from different crates.
15mm is recommended to be ONLY layed in a rapid setting adhesive and please use a 6mm trowel as follows…. Notch out 6mm of adhesive on the slab and 6mm cross notched on the back of each tile. Also please lay in BRICK or STRETCHER BOND patterns and allow for a 8mm minimum grout joint to allow for any tile variations in length or width. DO NOT ACID WASH your pavers.
Sealing
Bluestone tiles and pavers can be sealed as a peace of mind to ensure bluestone stays in pristine condition. It’s highly recommended particularly in areas where there may be high spillage to protect the lustre of the bluestone tiles and pavers.
If you choose not to seal your tiles, make sure you clean up spills immediately to avoid staining the tiles. Use only a penetrating invisible type sealer (no colour change) similar to Tasman Chemicals STONE SHIELD and ALWAYS follow the sealer manufacturers instructions when applying. We stock a FULL range of suitable sealers.
Cleaning
Do not use Hydrochloric acid for clean up as this can cause minerals present in the stone to react adversely.To clean prior to sealing simply pressure wash the stone and ensure nozzle is never closer than 300mm to the surface of the stone.
Maintenance
Just sweep when needed. Bluestone responds well to high pressure cleaning with a domestic machine, please keep the nozzle about 300mm minimum away from face of the bluestone pavers and tiles. A solution of mild detergent and water can be applied prior to pressure cleaning.
