Ornamental Rocks

TERMINOLOGY (CUBES/SETTS ANS OTHERS), PROS AND CONS

Cubes, setts, cobbles and cobblestones. The terms seem to vary depending on the location; there is a whole range of terms like calçada à portuguesa (Portuguese paving with cobblestones), calçada à fiada (Portuguese paving with 9-11 cube), cubes, setts, half-dressed stone, dressed stone that differ from region to region.

All these terms refer to natural stone, hewn from a quarry, that will be transformed into products of different types, sizes and shapes.

Whether they are cubes, sets and cobblestones, or any other kind of natural stone for paving or house and wall construction, they are excellent and lifelong products. In fact, stone is the characteristic of most of the so-called “historic” cities and currently we still have monuments, buildings, bridges or paved streets with hundreds of years! Besides, this product is easily maintained.

The few cons of these products are: as they are natural resources, they cannot self-regenerate; there is a variability of colour and texture; and the transport is not very easy due to their weight.

 

USES AND APPLICATIONS

Setts are popular for the creation of impressive large-scale patterns in civic paving schemes.

As with many other small paving units, these natural stone setts offer great possibilities for design. Their natural colouring, which will not fade, as some other products do, and the range of finishes may bring an extra dimension to paving, whether it is the re-creation of traditional cobbled streets or a unique and original design for a public or private area.

The paving can be authentic artworks and create superb paths, patios, squares, etc.

 

SIZES AND TOLERANCES

It seems that there are almost no limits on the sizes of setts and cubes, but the important standard NP EN 1342:2014 gives some guidance.

Cubes and setts in natural stone cannot be totally accurate with respect to sizes, so there is inevitably some 'inaccuracy' in the planned dimensions. These inaccuracies are regulated according a permitted tolerance, a specified maximum variation in size, and since the different finishes available also affect the dimensional accuracy.

This tolerance leads to an informal method of material specification for cubes. Given the generous tolerances, cubes are often described by a pair of values which indicate the minimum and maximum sizes, in centimetres.

So, the most popular sized cube, which has ideal sizes of 10x10x10 cm, is assumed to have 1cm tolerance, and, subsequently, it is considered as a 9-11 cube, that is, a cube with sides comprised between 9cm and 11cm.

Examples of some of the most popular sizes for cubes:

IDEAL SIZE IN CENTIMETRES TOLERANCES
5*5*5 4 ~ 6
8*8*8 7 ~ 9
10*10*10 9 ~ 11

CE MARKING

By affixing the CE marking on a product, a manufacturer is declaring conformity with all of the legal requirements to achieve CE marking, which allows free movement and sale of the product throughout the European Economic Area (EEA).

The CE Marking is only applied to the products covered by the New Approach Directives; these products must comply with all applicable EC requirements, according to some technical specifications, and aim essentially the safety, health, and environmental protection.

The CE marking is affixed to a product by the manufacturer or authorized representative or agents established within the EEA whether the product meets all the applicable Directives, complemented by Community decisions.

The CE marking enables the free movement of the products within the EEA; its main purpose is to enhance and differentiate the products on the market and distinguish them from voluntary labels.

The Council Directive for Construction Products (CPD)Directive 89/106/EEC, of 21 December 1988, amended by the Directive 93/68/EEC, of 22 July 1993 – is one of the most important New Approach Directives; its purpose is to establish the legal framework of construction products within European Internal Market and the conditions for the free movement of these products within EEA.

In the scope of the New Approach Directives, the CPD is an exception with regards to the essential requirements. Throughout the CPD, the requirements are not applied to the products specifically but to the works in which they are employed. In accordance with the CDP, Members States shall presume that the construction products placed on the market with the EC Marking, which are intended to use in works, if properly designed and built, satisfy the essential requirements referred in the Directive.  

In order to fulfil these Community regulations, our company implemented, back in 2009, the system of attestation of conformity under EU Directive 89/106.

To request our declaration of performance, please, contact us. 

© 2019 ACR - Agostinho da Costa Ribeiro & Filhos, Lda.