Frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know about Schellevis®

Below you can find the answers to our most commonly asked questions. Categorized for you in topics.

 

Maintenance & Cleaning

How do I keep my Schellevis® slabs clean?

Schellevis® slabs require little maintenance. A broom, some water and if necessary a little soft soap is all you need to clean the slabs. You can read the full maintenance instructions through the documentation centre.

What can I do about green mould on the slabs?

Green algae grow easily in shaded and damp places. When the sun gets stronger, algae growth usually disappears of its own accord. If however you'd like to speed up the process, remove the mould with water, soft soap and a gentle brush or broom. Another solution is to use steam. Steam kills off algae and moss.

Can I use a high-pressure cleaner?

Never use a high-pressure cleaner on our products. It's only a temporary solution and you damage the surface, which just means that the algae grow back faster.

My slabs are stained black from pollution. Can I still get them clean?

Black staining on the tile is often organic pollution. To remove it, use a tile and stone cleaner by Varistone.

Can I use road salt in frost and snow?

If there is frost and the slabs are smooth, it is all right to use road salt. However, salt is not good for concrete so use it sparingly. When the thaw sets in, rinse the salt off the slabs with water.

Installation

Can the slabs be laid without joints?

It is not possible to lay the Schellevis® slabs without joints. Because the slabs have bevelled edges, they are a few millimetres broader on the bottom than they are on the top. A joint is also important because it provides stability and compensates for minimal deviations in the dimensions.

Instructionvideo

How wide should the joint be?

For all slabs up to and including 100x100x5, we recommend a joint of at least 5 mm. The wider the tile, the wider the joint. For a tile of 10 cm thick or more, we recommend a joint of at least 10 mm. This prevents damage.

Instructionvideo

Which vacuum lifter can I use to lay the slabs?

Two points are important when using a vacuum lifter. The suction head must be the right size and the lifting capacity of the device must not be too powerful. For example, for slabs of 8 cm, a tensile force of more than 250 kg is too powerful. Make sure that the suction cap is smaller than the slab itself.

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Can the slabs be laid in stabilisation?

Yes, they can. Do make sure that the patio is cleaned thoroughly after the work has been done, to avoid staining of the tiles. See the laying instructions in the download centre for more information.

Which material is best for jointing the tiles?

The best choice is split granite/basalt (basalt split 1-3 mm) or fine sand. Use clean materials and make sure that after sweeping in the joints, any excess material is removed and the slabs are rinsed with water. We advise against using crusher run or infill sand since the stains they cause cannot be removed. If you would prefer a permeable joint, use Varistone LM Aqua, for example.

It is also possible to joint using silicon sealant, especially for expansion joints. Get the supplier of the sealant to advise you on its use.

Instructionvideo

Is it possible to saw or drill into Schellevis® slabs?

All Schellevis® slabs and elements larger than 80 cm are reinforced. You can easily saw or drill through them using a good diamond saw or drill.

It's important to keep enough distance from the edge and not to forget to remove the grindings from the slabs straight away, using plenty of water in order to avoid staining.

Instructionvideo

Product characteristics

Why do Schellevis® products have a bevelled edge?

The tapered shape is due to a certain method of production.

Due to their tapered edge, slabs must always be laid with a joint, to prevent movement or potential damage on the top faces.

Can I use slabs that are 5 cm thick for a driveway?

Slabs that are 5 cm thick are unsuitable for use on a driveway. For a normal load (driveway usage), we recommend using slabs that are 7 or 8 cm thick. For a heavier load (lorries or frequent traffic usage), we recommend using slabs that are 10 or 12 cm thick. Go to the range page for more information, about the bearing strength of a specific product.

Can Schellevis® slabs be used on a roof patio?

Schellevis® slabs are very suitable for use on a roof patio. They can be laid both on rubber support pads and height-adjustable tile supports. If you want to be able to increase the bearing strength of a roof patio to allow for cars or lorries, get in touch with us for tailored advice.

Can the slabs be impregnated?

Yes, certainly. For more information about this, go to the varistone.nl website.

Can the slabs be glued?

This is also possible. Go to poltec.nl for more information about tile adhesive.

Is it possible to coat the tiles?

Yes, that is possible. Make sure you get advice from a company specialised in such coatings.

How is the colour fastness of the slabs?

Colour development is a natural phenomenon, 90% of it is caused by the sun.

 The Schellevis® tile too will become a little lighter with time for that reason.  The speed at which that happens and how much the colour fades depends on a number of factors, such as whether the slabs are in sun or shadow, under a canopy or not. After a while, the colour of the tile will have developed to the colour it will keep for the rest of its lifespan.

Does the colour remain the same under a canopy as it does outside it?

If some slabs are under a canopy and others outside it, the slabs under the canopy will remain darker. This problem occurs least with the colours grey and crème because they contain no dyes.

Incidentally, this also means that any lime bloom (efflorescence) on slabs under a canopy, will take longer to disappear completely.


This also applies when planters or furniture are placed on the paving. It is best to frequently relocate any items left on the paving surface, to ensure even weathering and colour development.

What is the white layer on concrete products?

Lime bloom, or efflorescence, is a chemical reaction of substances in the concrete that is visible on the surface as a white layer. This lime bloom will disappear with time, with the help of rain and sun and does not influence the quality of the product.

Design tips & Inspiration

How is it that Schellevis® edging stones can also be laid flat

Because all Schellevis® products have the same structure on the top and sides, and are coloured through and through, they can be laid flat, standing or floating. See also the edging stones.

How do I make plant containers with Schellevis® slabs?

Use a minimum 50mm thick slabs and fix them to each other using metal corners and a sealant. Line the plant container with a damp proof course, so that the soil and water doesn't seep through the joints.

For larger planters, it is best to create retaining formwork (using concrete blocks) and clad Schellevis to the outer blocks with adhesive. Please note, any planters over 600mm in height must be mechanically fixed.

Which format slab should I use to make a base for a parasol?

Use slabs of at least 1000x1000x50mm or seating elements.

Who can I get in touch with to make a design using Schellevis® products?

In our Partner locator, you'll find designers near you who who are experienced in designing with Schellevis® products.

Are Schellevis® products also suitable for small gardens?

Absolutely! By using them the right way, you can even make your garden appear bigger.


For example, by using large format slabs so you have fewer joints, which gives a tranquil image and the effect of being larger. Another thing that helps is choosing understated colours and using the same colour for all the paving in the garden.

Why does Schellevis® recommend having professionals lay the products?

No outdoor space is 100% flat and straight. This makes laying the paving difficult to do by yourself. A professional can take care of this and ensure the paving is laid correctly and with the correct falls and drainage. They will lay the products in the correct way and edge them to avoid subsidence in the future. That way, you will be able to enjoy your design for years to come.

It is always best to speak with a professional, as ground conditions in the UK frequently vary around the country. They can advise the best manner to install our products.

Quality & Sustainability

How sustainable is Schellevis®?

With outdoor space as the domain and nature as the greatest source of inspiration, sustainability has been an important theme at Schellevis® for years already. In everything we do, we aim for the best quality while trying to make the smallest possible impact on people and nature. That means in practice that we use natural materials in our production process and recycle as much as possible. At present, more than 25% of material consists of recycled materials. For more information about our policy, go to our page on sustainability.

Which certificates have Schellevis® products been awarded?

Schellevis® asks independent bodies to assess the extent of its quality and sustainability. We now have multiple certificates for this. Go to the download centre for a list of all certifications.

Sales info

What do Schellevis® slabs cost?

Prices can be requested from a distributor in the area. You can also go to our partners to view our products and get advice on them. Check the partner locator to find a distributor near you.

Can private individuals buy directly from Schellevis®?

Sorry, private individuals cannot buy directly from Schellevis®. Check the partner locator to find a distributor near you.

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