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Download Now!Testimonials
"Anna the package has arrived! Thank you so much, we love them. And what lovely packaging"!!
“Stone looks absolutely amazing, nicest packed stone I have ever seen. Very professional, very, very happy. Just want to give you guys a big wrap for what you did. It's always good to work with people who actually care about what they're doing.”
"Thank you so much for the beautiful stone. It has transformed our home"
"Thanks to you Dianne, Arthur's work is real craftsmanship and the stone is beautiful"
"Hello Anna, thank you so much for the slate samples, they arrived & looked so professional as I handed them on to our client. They are presently making decisions & I will keep you posted on the outcome. Many thanks for your fast & efficient service"
Marble / Quartzite Tiles, Outdoor Pavers & Wall Cladding
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The images above left was supplied by Primo tiling who did the impressive work for a home in Cronulla; the stone was sealed with a surface sealer that lifts and darkens the colour. The natural colour of Sofala can be seen in the 2 images on the right above and in the images below.
Sofala Tiles & Outdoor Pavers |
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Marble or Quartzite?
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Recent test results indicate that the level of quartz in this stone has fallen below the ASTM standards to be technically a quartzite, even though it looks like quartzite and cleaves like quartzite! The high level of calcite in the recent samples sent for testing make the stone technically a marble. In the future, we may get dispatches from the same quarry with lower levels of calcite which might make the stone technically a quartzite! Sometimes the changes are not apparent and that is why we get the stone independently tested (see test results at the foot of the page). Our apologies for the possible confusion - we are just trying to be truthful is describing one of our most popular products that we have been selling for nearly 20 years without a single recorded problem. |
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Sofala Outdoor Pavers - Salt Safe for Pool Surrounds
Sofala is the most stone popular outdoor paver for use around pools because of its high resistance to salt attack and its safe, "grippy" surface when wet. It is one of the world's finest paving stones.
Of course, if you have a traditionally chlorinated pool or a new magnesium pool, the stone should be unaffected and last for decades with the right care.
Make an enquiry
Colourful Sofala - "Bright, Happy Colours that Blend Easily"
Sofala tiles and pavers contain an array of really appealing colours that livens rooms, verandahs and outdoor areas.
According to our customers these colours blend nicely with garden plants, pots and outdoor furniture but just as well with soft furnishings indoors.
"Sofala - Indestructible Natural Stone"
The stone is very dense and tough and nothing seems to damage it.
Test results on density, flexural strength and durability support the claim that it is an almost indestructible natural stone.
Sofala Surfaces - "Don't Show the Dirt"
Our customers tell us that "Sofala floors gets dirty but you don't notice it - the grey and gold colour disguises it beautifully". This make cleaning and maintenance less stressful.
Tiler said "Great Quality Natural Stone"
One of our most experienced tilers said that he had laid a lot natural stone but Sofala was one of his favourites because the stone was "dense with impressive quality and almost no breakages and chipping" occurred when he unpacked the crates.
Make an enquiryPavers or Tiles - What is the Difference?
The difference is the thickness. Tiles are thin - usually 12-14mm; they are designed to be fixed to a hard substrate eg concrete or compressed fibro.
Pavers on the other hand are much thicker - typically 30mm. There is twice as much stone in a paver and that gives them enormous strength but it also increases the cost.
The extra strength enables them to be used on softer substrates eg packed earth or roadbase topped with sand.
NB The surface in the image on the right has been treated with a colour enhancing sealer.
Sofala Tiles, Pavers, Random Paving Pieces & Bullnose Coping
Sofala Tiles |
Sofala Tile |
 Sofala Paver |
 Sofala Bullnose |
 Sofala Flagstones |
 Sofala Random Pattern |
 Sofala French Pattern |
 Sofala French Pattern - Verandah |
 Sofala Tread |
 Sofala Tread |
Specifications
- Body tiles - 300x300x9-11mm, 400x400x12-14mm & 600x600x12-14mm
- Bullnose coping - 300x300x25 & 400x400x25mm & 400x400x30mm
- Pavers - 400x400x30mm. For more information go to Pavers
- Treads -1000x350x30mm
- Loose flagstone pieces (image above) - variable sizes; thickness 18-20mm. Each crate = 20m2 approx.
- Random pattern - 3 sheets/cov.m2, (each 0.3067cov.m2) thickness 12-15mm.
- French Pattern - 4 piece, 600x400, 400x400, 400x200 & 200x200mm
- Cladding - 400x95x10-15mm & 500x250x12-15mm by special order only
- Stackstone - 400x100x10-15mm
Click here to see all quartzite specifications.
Make an enquiryStone Quality Rating - Sofala
| Density |  |
| Porosity (5 stars = very low porosity) | |
| Water absorption (5 stars = very low absorbency) | |
| Flexural strength (dry) |  |
| Flexural strength (wet) |  |
| Slip resistance |  |
| Resistance to salt attack (durability) |  |
Indicative Test Results
- Slip resistance (AS/NZS 4586-2004) - 56V (risk of slipping when wet = very low)
- Modulus of Rupture (ASTM C99M-09) (dried) - 17.2 MPa
- Modulus of Rupture (ASTM C99M-09) (wet) - 14.5 MPa
- Density (ASTM C97-02) - 2705 kg/m3
- Water absorption (ASTM C97M-09) by volume (porosity) - 0.09%
- Water absorption (ASTM C97M-09) by weight - 0.25%
- Resistance to salt attack weight loss (AS/NZS 4456.10-2003) - 0.10%
- Resistance to salt attack classification (AS/NZS 4456.10-2003) - A (resistant to wet, dry & salt attack cycles)
- Resistance to salt attack (AS/NZS 4456.10-2003) mode of decay - minor surface pitting visible
NB The benchmarks for use of stone around salt water pools is 0.1% weight loss or less with a minimum slip resistance classification of W.
Data Source - Stone Initiatives 20/9/2012Click here to see all test results.
Free Project Consultation
If you have a project in mind and would like us to arrange a quote (supply and/or fixing), contact us on the number below. There is absolutely no charge for this service nor obligation to proceed.
