Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions we
receive at Granite Setts UK

Does your granite conform to British Standards?

Yes, they all conform to EN1342:2012 and come with a Declaration of Performance (CE mark). This guarantee of quality is essential as natural stone without a declaration of performance may be unsuitable for use as paving in the UK.
On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

What is the slip resistance / EN 14231?

Our granites have an unpolished slip resistance of at least 55 wet and 60 dry USRV.
On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

How much Granite should I order?

All of our granite products are available by the crate only. An approximate meterage is given as a guide only as it is dependent on laying pattern and gap size between setts. Our estimated meterage allow for a standard 12mm gap between naturally split setts and cobbles. We recommend that customers buy 5% more than the square meterage to ensure that you have enough. If you intend to lay your granite in a specific pattern, for example a fan shape, it may be useful to request 10% of your stone as “oddball” sizes.

What are the tolerances for Granite?

Due to the nature of the product, natural split granite has working tolerances of up to 10% – for example, 100x100x100mm granite setts will have sides between 90mm and 110mm.
On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

Is granite tested to levels of breakage or collapse when it comes to compression
resistance EN 1926?

Indeed it is. All colours apart from the yellow gold have a compression resistance >200 MPa. The yellow gold is 126 MPa
On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

How is granite’s water absorption calculated? Is your granite tested for EN 13755?

Yes it is tested to EN 13755. A material’s water absorption factor is the property by which a measured amount of liquid is able to fill voids within the material. It is expressed by a ratio: the weight of the liquid absorbed compared to the weight of the material sample. Materials that are highly porous should be avoided when it comes to driveways, as liquid absorption can lead to discolouration and a reduction in the material’s strength over time.
All colours apart from yellow gold have a water absorption factor of 0.2%. This means that typically, one thousand kilos of granite will absorb just 2 kilos of water. Yellow gold has a water absorption factor on 0.5%. This compares to sandstone which is on average 8.0% absorbent and limestone which is 3.0% absorbent.
On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

How is a material’s ‘porous factor’ or ‘porosity’ tested to EN 1936?

A material’s porosity is measured as a ratio comparing the volume of pores or micro-voids in the material to the material’s solid volume. High porosity leads to a slow deterioration of strength, discolouration and to other negative factors.
All colours have a porosity of 0.5%. This means that for one block of our granite, 99.5% of it will be solid rock.
On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

What is meant by granite’s ‘detrition resistance’ / EN 14157?

Detrition or abrasion resistance refers to the ability of a material to resist surface wear. Granite has a relatively high abrasion resistance; therefore it is less likely to scratch than say limestone or slate. All colours of our granite have a detrition resistance of >11.7mm. – On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

 Is granite shockproof?

A material’s shock resistance or impact strength is determined by the height from which a solid body falls and the disruption caused to the material’s body. Granite has a high shockproof factor and it’s unlikely to crack or chip even when heavy items are dropped upon it. This is why granite is a popular hard material for multiple applications, including work surfaces.

How resistant is granite to freezing and damage via ice / EN 12371?

Highly porous materials are the most prone to ice damage. This is because water leaks into the material via its surface and settles in the pores. As the temperature drops, the water freezes and expands, causing internal pressure and damage. All of our granite’s durability of compressive strength exceed 100Mpa after 56 freeze thaw cycles – All colours follow the guidelines of EN 12371 – On the specification page you can see the individual characteristics for each and every colour variety.

How is granite tested for its resistance to bending / EN 12372?

The ‘resistance to bending’ or flexural strength factor is measured by finding the maximum weight that a material can endure before it breaks. Most materials are flexible when subjected to compression and traction via pressure supplied to its surface. Our granite has a flexural strength of >10 MPa.

What is the difference between Portuguese Granite and Non-European Granite?

Portuguese granite is widely recognised as the best in the world. In recent years we have seen the emergence of non-European products that are easier to cut and therefore lose the traditional feel by being too “perfect”. We are finding that one of the reasons that this type of granite is easier to cut is related to the fact that the granite is neither hard enough nor tough enough to withstand the loads that granite is often used for, nor can it withstand adverse weather conditions.

Should you be embarking on an exterior project, then you should look to use a robust granite such as Portuguese. Whether it is sourced from ourselves or an alternative supplier, we do urge you to use Portuguese granite.

Portugal is the main supplier of granite to Nordic countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Norway, along with Germany and France. In these countries there is a lot of ice throughout the year so the decision has to be made for quality, durability and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

In recent years we have seen an increase in customers choosing Portuguese granite over non-European granite because of extended delivery times running to longer than two months. We have also had feedback from our customers saying that transportation costs fluctuate greatly whereas ours do not.

Should you wish to discuss any of these points with us, we will gladly be of assistance – and we definitely will not pressurise you into buying from us. Our primary concern is that the quality of Portuguese granite is understood, especially compared to inferior products that are available.