A while ago I visited the Tobermore plant in Belfast.  Tobermore produce concrete paving and walling.  I have generally used natural materials in my designs but was really keen to see a product that would compare well for a limited budget.

Tobermore use German technology and machinery to produce their wide range of products. They pride themselves on having managed to reduce the occurrence of efflorescence.  Efflorescence is the cause of those unsightly white marks that can appear on concrete setts after laying.  With new manufacturing methods, their concrete pavers last longer and produce less customer complaints in comparison with those of some of the UK market leaders.  

During our tour which was led by their very enthusiastic and proud MD, we were shown how colours were mixed and how the different textured effects are created.  It was a long tour including much walking outside the plant to see the effects of weathering on different manufacturers’ products compared with Tobermore products, including colour drain over time. It was very interesting to see the pavers laid out alongside their equivalents and you really could see the differences.  

Tobermore have a wide range of products from contemporary pavers which have bold colours and different effects to driveway setts and the more traditional-looking pavers.  The MD pointed out that in Ireland and main-land Europe, paving stones are rarely used, they are more likely to use setts and individual concrete bricks which is quite unusual here in England.  

For me, this was a really interesting visit and I would certainly consider using the products in some garden designs where the client specifically asked for concrete or the budget required a less expensive product.