Colour Selector: Granite Finish Paving in Modern Greys

This is one of a series of posts where we investigate the use of a paving colour range, to inspire you in your own designs.

Today we’re looking at modern grey paving in a granite finish, and seeing how architects and landscape architects have used their design skills to achieve a variety of effects. All the paving illustrated in this piece is granite finish paving, unless otherwise stated.

Mixing Greys in Granite Finish Paving

At this regeneration scheme in Camberwell, a mix of three greys including City Pave VS5 in Silver, Mid Grey and Charcoal were used to provide visual interest in large, even areas of paving. A similar mix was used for the vehicular areas. Combining a mix of the same colours across the whole creates an overall coherence to the scheme, which was designed by John AcAslan & Partners for Southwark Council.

In contrast, Balfour Beatty used a much more random pattern at Hurst Lane Place in Solihull, breaking up random repeating areas of Fusion granite finish paving in Silver, Graphite and Mid Grey with bands of Silver-only Fusion. Client here was Solihull Borough Council.

Hurst Lane Place, Solihull: Fusion in Silver, Mid Grey and Graphite

A mix of paving types can be successfully used to identify heavily trafficked areas where pedestrians need to take more care. At Chryston High School in Glasgow, AHR Landscape Architects chose Silver and Graphite Mayfair Flags for the pedestrian areas and Pedesta in Bracken (non-granite finish) to articulate the parking areas.

Mostly Single Colour Granite Paving

Some projects cry out for an elegant, single colour solution. At Greg’s Place, a new public open space at the University of York, beautiful Manhattan linear plank paving in Silver is used extensively with just a few Mid Grey to provide relief. Granite Step Units in Silver with a Black Delineation Strip complete the effect, and Mid Grey Manhattan is just used to identify the main crossing point. Landscape Architect was TGP Landscape Architects Ltd and the Main Contractor was ESH Group.

Meanwhile, Coventry City Council also wanted a subtle effect which a mix of colours would not bring to their city centre regeneration, and used areas of Mayfair Flags and Manhattan linear plank paving, both in Silver, with simple banding in red granite blocks and iGuzzini Linealuce recessed strip lighting.

Using Greys to Draw the Eye

Some projects need more variety than greys alone can produce. This includes heritage environments, and other settings where more rustic finishes are required. However, it is still possible to use granite finish paving in smaller areas to provide a source of focus and elegance.

Clancy Quay Housing in Dublin by Mitchell & Associates for Kennedy Wilson Europe is one such example. Here the Landscape Architects used smooth Manhattan Silver Planks amongst the chunky Retro Bracken herringbone paving (non- granite finish) to delineate a seating area.

A similar technique was used by DRD Derry Architects at Queen’s Quay, L’Derry, but in this case alongside the Sienna Setts in Silver, circles of charcoal Tegula Setts (non-granite finish) are used to delineate a seating area which is also a spot to appreciate the view across the River Foyle.

Stripes can also be used effectively to provide direction. At Ebbw Vale College Square, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council have used broad stripes of Silver and Graphite Mayfair Flags to draw the visitor to the main entrance.

Benefits of Granite Finish Paving

Tobermore Granite Finish Paving is an extremely cost effective way to get the look of granite in a long lasting, robust paving product. Where your client needs a granite finish but their budget won’t stretch that far, Tobermore Granite Finish Paving can fill the gap.

Manufactured with sparkling granite aggregates, this durable block, slab and plank paving is a popular choice for paved areas in both residential and commercial developments, and it comes with a 25 year guarantee.

• More cost effective than solid granite
• The same attractive, sparkly finish as solid granite
• Wide range of colours available including up to four different greys
• Grey and Silver colours contain not less than 53% of granite aggregate in the hard-wearing surface layer.
• Strength > 3.6MPa and Extremely Low Slip Resistance (>75 USRV)
• Top quality European-style paving made in the UK

These are just some of our Granite Finish paving in Greys. Click the link below to see the whole range.

More Information

1. View all our Granite Finish paving on our product selector and see the range of Greys.
2. Check out our Inspiration Gallery to filter images of finished projects by paving type, colour, shape, finish and application.
3. You can also Download our Paving Design Guide.

Do you have a question about our granite finish paving? Ask your question in the comments.