What You Can Expect from Our Products

At Primethorpe Paving, we value transparency and strive to set clear expectations without hidden terms or fine print.
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions and feel confident in your purchase. While every supplier faces challenges, we go the extra mile to source reliable, high-quality products from Europe, Asia, and South America. However, it’s important to note that natural stone and porcelain have inherent variations, tolerances, and discrepancies due to their nature and manufacturing process.

Your Guide to Natural Stone

Colour Variations

Natural stone is a product of the earth, and as such, it naturally comes with variations. Many customers appreciate the unique and varied look it offers, while others prefer a more uniform appearance. Regardless, natural variation is to be expected.

For example, stones like Kandla Grey, Blue Limestone, Black Limestone, and Yellow Limestone tend to have less variation, offering a more consistent colour palette with subtle shifts. In contrast, stones like Raj Blend, Rippon Buff, Autumn Brown, Fossil Mint, and Vijya Copper Slate feature more noticeable colour and texture differences, adding character and charm to your paving.

Please note, we do not offer the option to hand-select colours. While we work with trusted suppliers we've collaborated with for over a decade, we cannot guarantee absolute consistency, especially with materials from regions like India, where slight differences between batches can occur.

The size of your order can also impact the level of variation. Smaller orders (0-10m²) usually show less noticeable colour variation, while larger orders (over 10m²) may exhibit more variation due to batch differences.

It’s important to remember that colour variation can appear more pronounced when the stone is wet, and stones may appear pale or lack vibrant colour when first delivered due to dust from packing and calibrating. After installation and cleaning, the true colours will emerge.

Finally, please be aware that we cannot accept returns based solely on colour variations. Natural stone is inherently variable, and colour differences are a normal part of the process.

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Advertised Thickness

Variations in thickness are normal when working with natural stone. While we strive to provide consistent, high-quality products, some pavers may be slightly thicker or thinner than the advertised thickness.

Most of our paving is calibrated to a standard depth, but given the volume of slabs we ship weekly, we can’t check every individual piece. These slight variations don’t affect the quality or performance of the product—they’re simply part of the natural charm of stone.

We understand it can be tempting to measure every slab, but please remember that small thickness differences are completely normal in the industry. A skilled installer can easily work around these variations, ensuring a seamless finish to your project.

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Slab Sizing Tolerance

Natural stone paving has its own charm, including slight variations in slab sizes. While we aim for accuracy, a few millimetres of difference is normal and in line with industry standards. These tolerances don’t affect the quality or performance of the stone.

The edge finish also influences size variations. Hand-dressed edges, crafted by skilled stonemasons, can have larger variations due to their traditional, handcrafted method. This adds an authentic, rustic feel to the stone. On the other hand, sawn-edge paving, though machine-cut and more precise, can still show small tolerances.

As a rule, smaller slabs in patio packs are designed to be closer to 29cm than 30cm to create even joints in random patterns, giving your paving a well-balanced look.

Please note, natural stone isn’t intended for perfectly tight joints or use with spacers. The goal is an organic, beautiful finish that takes these natural variations into account

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Surface Finish

All our natural stone paving features a natural riven surface, adding unique texture and character to each slab. This finish is inherent to how the stone is formed and enhances its authentic, timeless appeal.

Some styles have a more pronounced riven finish:

  • Fossil Mint: Known for its higher riven texture, this stone has a softer, uneven surface.
  • Rustic Copper Slate: Offers a distinctly riven finish with rugged charm.

In contrast, our natural limestone products generally have a smoother surface with occasional riven areas, providing a more even finish.

These texture variations are what make natural stone special, adding depth and personality to your outdoor spaces.

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Chipping to the Edges

Chipping along the edges of natural stone is possible and, to some extent, expected due to the packing and transportation process. Our stone is packed tightly together in crates or pallets—without individual wrapping—to keep costs affordable and reduce packaging waste. While this method is sustainable, minor edge chips can occur during transit.

Sawn-edged stones, like limestone and slate, may show chips more clearly due to their clean, straight-cut edges. However, these imperfections are often hidden during installation or can be placed in less visible areas.

Chips may appear more noticeable in the delivery crate, particularly on the underside of slabs, but once laid and installed, they are typically no longer visible. These variations are part of the natural charm of working with stone and do not affect its quality or durability. A skilled installer can easily work with these details to achieve a flawless finish.

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Natural Imperfections

One of the most enchanting aspects of natural stone is its inherent imperfections, which reflect the stone's unique geological history. These features are not flaws, but rather what make your paving one-of-a-kind. However, certain imperfections are common in specific types of stone:

  • Limestone Products:
  • Sandstone Products:
  • Slate Products:

These natural imperfections reflect the stone's formation over millions of years and enhance the unique beauty of your paving. While they may seem surprising initially, they often become the features that give your project its timeless appeal.

For those preferring a more consistent appearance, we also offer porcelain paving, which provides a uniform look while still capturing the natural aesthetic.

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Staining from Packaging

Our stones are packed in wooden crates for secure delivery, but occasionally, temporary wood stains may appear on the surface. These marks are usually not permanent and can be removed with proper cleaning once the stone is laid.

Causes of Wood Staining:

  • Wood Tannins: Hardwoods like oak can release tannins when exposed to moisture, causing brownish or yellowish stains.
  • Wood Resins and Oils: Some woods may leak resins and oils, especially if exposed to moisture during transport.
  • Pressure from Packaging: Tight packing in wooden crates can transfer wood materials onto the stone’s surface.
  • Moisture During Shipping: Damp conditions during transit can accelerate the transfer of oils, resins, and tannins.

Why It’s Not Permanent:
These stains are typically surface-level and can be cleaned away after installation. They result from the interaction of the stone with the wood packaging and are not a long-term issue.

Lubricants on Nails:
Nails securing the crates may be treated with a lubricant to prevent rust, which can leave oily marks on the stone. Like wood stains, these can be cleaned off after installation.

This policy applies to all of our natural stone products, including cobble setts, copings, steps, and walling stone.

Your Guide to Porcelain

Batch Numbers

At Primethorpe Paving, we order porcelain in large quantities to maintain consistent batch numbers for longer periods. For a single order, we guarantee all porcelain will come from the same batch, except for end-of-line products, which may include leftover stock from multiple batches. In such cases, we will notify you in advance and display this in the product description.

For separate orders placed at different times, we cannot guarantee matching batch numbers. We recommend taking photos of the packaging labels for future reference, as this can help us check if we can match a batch number if you need to reorder.

Calibration Variations

While we aim for consistency, slight variations in thickness and dimensions can occur, even within a single batch. These differences are noted on the packaging with calibro numbers.

Variations are common in porcelain tiles, as they are molded and machine-produced, which can cause minor size fluctuations. If multiple calibro numbers are present within an order, they will typically be close (e.g., calibro 3 + 4), indicating a minimal difference of 1mm or less. We never mix significantly different calibro numbers (e.g., calibro 2 + 8) that would result in noticeable size differences.

Surface + Edge Chips

Porcelain tiles may occasionally experience minor chips or edge damage during transport, despite our secure packaging (individually wrapped in cardboard and protected with plastic corners). If you receive a tile with a chip, we recommend using it for cuts or in less visible areas of your project.

Tile Warping and Bowing

At Primethorpe Paving, we work with top manufacturers to ensure high-quality porcelain tiles. However, slight warping or bowing can still occur due to the natural properties of raw materials like clay and minerals used in production.

Causes of Bowing:

  • Thermal Expansion: Tiles are fired at high temperatures, causing expansion during heating and contraction during cooling, which can lead to slight warping.
  • Moisture Content: The drying process can cause uneven shrinkage, contributing to warping.

While we aim to minimize bowing, it’s a natural part of the manufacturing process, especially with large-format tiles. To reduce its visual impact, we recommend laying tiles in a 1/3 bond pattern, though a 1/2 bond pattern also works well for most customers.