Paving and Tile Glossary: Terms Explained Simply

Products

Term	Meaning
Paver	A solid block, usually concrete, laid to make an outdoor surface such as a driveway, path or patio.
Paving block	Another name for a paver. Common in Sri Lanka.
Interlock paver	A paver shaped to lock into its neighbours, so the surface spreads loads and resists shifting. See interlock pavers.
Grass paver	An open-grid paver with gaps that grass grows through, giving a firm surface that still lets rain soak in. See grass pavers.
Interlock brick	A brick shaped to lock into the bricks around it, used to build walls and houses rather than to pave. See interlock bricks.
Eco brick	A brick made with more sustainable materials or processes than a conventional fired brick. See eco bricks.
Wall tile	A thin tile fixed to a wall, inside or outside, to protect and decorate it.
Wall cladding	Tiles or panels fixed to the outside of a wall, such as a house front or gate pillar.
Floor tile	A tile made to be walked on, rated for wear and slip resistance.
Kerb stone	A long block laid along the edge of paving to hold it in place and mark the edge.

Term	Meaning
Pcs/Sq.Ft (pieces per square foot)	How many pieces of a design cover one square foot. Multiply it by your area to get the quantity. See the coverage chart.
Coverage	The area a quantity of pavers or tiles will cover, or the number of pieces needed for an area.
Cuts	Pieces cut to fit at edges, corners and around obstacles. Order a little extra to allow for them.
Supply only	Buying the materials without installation; you arrange the laying yourself.
Supply and installation	Buying the materials and having the same company lay them. See driveway cost.

Term	Meaning
Excavation	Digging out the ground to the depth needed for the base and the pavers.
Sub-base	The compacted layer of crushed stone or gravel under the paving that carries the load.
Bedding sand	A level layer of sand on top of the sub-base that the pavers are laid on.
Compaction	Pressing the ground, base and pavers down firmly so they do not sink later.
Plate compactor	A vibrating machine used to compact the base and to settle pavers into the bedding sand.
Edge restraint	A kerb, concrete haunch or border that stops pavers spreading outwards.
Joint sand	Fine sand brushed into the gaps between pavers to lock them together.
Polymeric sand	Joint sand mixed with a binder that hardens when wetted, so it washes out less and resists weeds.
Fall (slope)	The gentle slope given to paving so rainwater runs off instead of pooling.
Laying pattern	The arrangement pavers are laid in, such as herringbone or stretcher bond. See laying patterns.
Herringbone	A zig-zag pattern of rectangular pavers at right angles to each other; the strongest pattern for driveways.
Stretcher bond	Rows of rectangular pavers, each row shifted by half a paver, like a brick wall.
Mortar	A mix of cement, sand and water used to bond bricks, blocks or tiles.
Grout	The filler pressed into the joints between tiles once they are fixed.
Curing	The time concrete or mortar needs to gain strength before it can take full loads.

Term	Meaning
Efflorescence	White powdery salt deposits on new concrete products. Not a defect; it fades with time and rain.
Re-sanding	Refilling the joints with sand after rain or cleaning has washed it out. See cleaning pavers after the monsoon.
Sealer	A clear coating applied to pavers to protect against stains and make cleaning easier.
Permeable paving	Paving that lets rainwater soak through it or its joints into the ground.
Run-off	Rainwater that flows over a hard surface instead of soaking into the ground.

Term	Meaning
PEI rating	A wear rating for glazed tiles from I (light foot traffic, such as walls) to V (heavy traffic).
R rating	A slip-resistance rating from R9 (lowest) to R13 (highest). Wet areas such as bathrooms and outdoor floors need higher ratings.
Water absorption	How much water a tile soaks up. Lower absorption suits wet areas and outdoor use.

Missing a term? Ask us on the contact page.

Yes. Paving block is the common name in Sri Lanka; paver is the general term. Both mean blocks laid to make an outdoor surface.

Interlock pavers are laid flat to make driveways and paths. Interlock bricks are stacked to build walls and houses.

Pieces per square foot: how many pieces of a design cover one square foot. Multiply it by your area in square feet to find how many you need.

Tell us about your project and we will explain the options in plain terms. Our site inspection is free.