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Technical knowledge
For the floor
A large number of laying variants also provides a big variety of design options for floor coverings. Learn more about these topics in the following section: What are the advantages of paving slabs as a floor covering? What laying methods are possible, and what requirements do the applicable DIN standards entail. Or discover helpful tips for the laying of paved areas and our CERPIANO+ terrace system.
Sustainable alternative
Advantages of pavers
GIMA paving slabs is the ideal construction material for high-quality exterior coverings. As well as shape and color, there are many laying samples that make paving slabs suitable for all kinds of surfaced exterior areas – from private garage entrances, pavements and cycleways, pedestrian precincts, open public areas or even road types in construction classes 3.2 and 1.8.
GIMA paving slabs are covered by the ‘Original paving slabs − Tested quality’ kitemark which guarantees compliance with the highest of quality standards and ultimate product safety combined with enduring value. This is assured through compliance with the highest requirements classes defined in DIN EN 1344 for paver bricks, paver ceramic quality in accordance with DIN 18503 and regular and independent goods monitoring to assure product properties.
GIMA pavers can be produced with integrated laying aids along two edges. These maintain consistent distances between the slabs. This means that paving slabs are very easy to place adjacent to one another - a uniform joint pattern, quick and easy to lay.
GIMA paving slabs is 100% resistant to frost and gritting salt. This guarantees very long service life, also on very frequently used roads and pavements with a gritting service in winter.
GIMA paving slabs consist of two natural substances, loam and clay. The vast majority of the raw materials we use is excavated at a site very close to our plant in Marklkofen, so transporting it is very energy-efficient.
Paving slabs deliver conviction with their lifetime resistance to heat, cold, UV light and chemicals. Paving slabs exhibit great resistance to acids, alkalis and oils and is therefore suitable for use as a surface material in heavily used entrances, yards or roads.
Our paving slabs have class U3-compliant resistance to sliding and slippage. Paving slabs are equally well suited to surfaces driven on by cars, as well as to pavements or terraces.
Paving slabs exist in a wide variety of natural colors. Even years later, it retains absolute color-fastness, and is also no problem to clean when needed. Because paving slabs are so durable, this is also an extremely sustainable material that safeguards economic and natural resources.
With the help of appropriate joints and suitable bedding material, paving slabs are permeable which means that rainwater and surface water can trickle down sufficiently through the paved surfaces, counteracting the effect of having a sealed surface.
TECHNICAL TERMS RELATING TO PAVING SLABS
Paver ceramic is manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the harmonised European standard defined in DIN EN 1344 and is marketed on the basis of the European building products directive. In addition to European product quality, the clays typically used in Germany to make paving slabs fire to a particularly high density with low levels of water absorption (i.e. ceramic quality).
In October 2015, harmonised product standard DIN EN 1344 appeared: 2013+AC:2015 includes a pan-European definition of the properties, requirements and test procedures for paver ceramic and paving slabs. To take account of the variety of conditions of use for paver ceramic in Europe, the harmonised European standard DIN EN 1344 defines different requirement levels and classes. For the following properties, the levels and classes and their respective required values are all defined in DIN EN 1344.
Paver ceramic as defined in DIN EN 1344 complies with the requirement governing dimensional deviations. This specifies that the measured deviation from mean value (±) for length, width and height must not exceed 0.4 times the square root of nominal dimension d stipulated by the manufacturer (in mm). This requirement does not apply to shaped and supplementary brick.
Permitted dimensional deviation from the mean value: ≤ 0.4 · √d
where: nominal dimension d (in mm) for length, width and height, the permitted dimensional deviation.
As a subsidiary requirement, within any delivery batch for the same project, the difference between the largest and smallest measurement value in Class R1 for each dimension must not exceed 0.6 times the square root of nominal dimension d (in mm) as stipulated by the manufacturer.
Class of dimensional tolerance in mm
R0 no requirement
R1 ≤ 0.6 √d
To check the dimensional integrity and dimensional tolerances, sets of ten paver ceramic elements and paving slabs respectively are measured for length, width and height using a slide gauge in accordance with DIN EN 1344. For every measured dimension, the mean value as well as the highest and lowest measurement value are quoted. The deviation from mean value for each dimension must not exceed 0.4 times the square root of nominal dimension d stipulated by the manufacturer.
Numerous possibilities
Paving slab bonds
With paving slabs, a large number of different bonds (laying patterns) can be manufactured. Several different bonds can be produced simply by using rectangular paving slabs. A large number of additional bonds can be achieved by including bishop mitre and square slab products.
You will find further technical details in the technical brochure of the German paving slab trade association Pflasterklinker e.V. of which we are a member.