Edge Details
When using Promenade Slabs a decision will have to be made as to how you will lay the slabs at edges.
Where an upstand edge exists it is possible to slab all the way to the edge with cut slabs or avoid cutting any slabs and fill in the gaps with pebbles or similar. If you decide to fill the gaps then you should refer to "Laying To An Open Edge With Link Pads & Dressing Angle" below.
Where an open edge exists at handrails etc it is important to avoid any chance that slabs may move forward and off the edge when under load from pedestrians, wind and vibration.
The examples below show how to deal with these issues when using our range of paving support pads, edge dressing angles and link pads. If you have further questions please feel free to email or call.
Laying To An Edge
Contractors often ask how to pave up to the edges of upstands and walls when using adjustable supports. Because of the strength of the polypropylene support pads, the base plates can be cut with a saw to suit the shape of the edge upstand as shown above. The arms ensure that the weight is still evenly spread onto the base plate. Take care not to cut into the central core as this will lead to the support pad becoming unbalanced.
The support pad can then be placed so that the head plate will butt up to the wall or upstand. By breaking off two of the positioning lugs, the promenade slab will remain fully supported, and be positioned close up to the edge.
When laying to an edge using plastic stackable support pads simply break the support pad up into halfs or quarters where required and lay to the edge. When the support pad breaks it retains one spacing lug per side to allow equal spacing all round the outer edges.
Additional Support For Cut Slabs
Where a slab has to be cut at edges or to fit around obstacles an additional support
Break the pad in half and strip off the two spacer lugs left in the middle. This will leave two lugs at the edge to ensure that the pad remains in place.
Where possible use the two halves of the pad as shown to ensure maximum support.
Laying To An Open Edge With Link Pads & Dressing Angle
Where an open or unrestrained edge exists it is possible that slabs could move due to vibration, foot traffic etc.
The self adhesive Link Pad has been designed to fix the underside of the Promenade Slabs together into a mat dramatically reducing the possibility of movement at unrestrained edges.
The Castle Link Pad has one adhesive side and one reinforced side. Simply peel off the release tape and add it to the support pad with adhesive side up before laying our slabs.
This will link all four slabs at the corners to increase the resistance of the layout to movement induced by wind uplift, foot traffic, vibration etc.
When tested the link pad increased resistance to vertical uplift of a slab up to 10 times self weight and increased resistance to horizontal movement up to 20 times.
If one or several slabs need to be lifted for access at a later date the bond can be simply be broken by cutting around the slab with a knife and afterwards replacing the cut link pads with new ones.
The open edge should also have a dressing angle installed. This helps to avoid wind and debris blowing under the layout. It also makes the edge more aesthetically pleasing and stops pebbles or gravel going under the layout if you are infilling around edges.
The instructions below show how link pads and dressing angle should be installed.
Pre assembled 900mm length of dressing angle with support pads fitted.
Link pads should be installed three deep from the dressing angle to minimise movement.
Remove relase strips from link pads and lay promenade slabs.
Finished edge detail. As each length is 900mm the small gaps allow water to flow as required.
The above pictures show Link Pads with release tape still in place for ease of demonstation.
Filling In Gaps With Gravel
Our river bed gravel is ideal for this application as it has been worn by water action over many centuries removing most of the sharp edges, meaning the gravel is kinder to the surface underneath.
As the river bed gravel has a mixture of colours, shapes and types of stone it has a very natural appearance.
As shown above we recommend the use of link pads and edge dressing angles at edges to avoid movement of outer slabs.
Please call for more information.
Castle Composites Limited
Unit 1
Nisbet Way
Ravenstruther
LANARK, ML11 7SF
Tel: 01555-870003
Fax: 01555-870040
