Our edge

CobbleSmith offers the most comprehensive UK-focused stone database available online. We profile over 40 stone varieties—granite, sandstone, limestone, basalt—detailing mechanical strength (compressive, flexural), porosity, frost resistance (F-rating), and slip-resistance (USRV). Each entry includes quarry location, geological formation, extraction methods, and sustainability credentials (FSC-style chain-of-custody for dimension stone). High-resolution macro photographs and mineralogical analyses help you assess colour variation, grain structure, and natural veining. Comparative tables let you weigh cost, durability, and heritage authenticity—enabling informed selection for everything from medieval courtyard restoration to contemporary driveway installations.

Our Craft Techniques library blends time-honoured stonemasonry methods with modern engineering insights. Detailed step-by-step guides cover sub-base compaction (Type 1 aggregate, geotextiles), mortar bedding vs. mortarless laying, and jointing mortars (lime vs. cementitious). We explain advanced patterns—herringbone for heavy traffic, fan for decorative plazas—and demonstrate machine-assisted installation using laser-guided screeding and plate-compactor best practices. Video tutorials show chiselling, splitting, and hand-dressing techniques, as well as resin-bonded and resin-bound surfacing options. Each method is annotated with tool lists, safety protocols (PPE, COSHH), and efficiency tips to minimise rework and maximise longevity.

Durable stone paving demands robust substructure design. CobbleSmith’s Project Performance module presents load-calculation spreadsheets for pedestrian, light-vehicle, and heavy-vehicle applications, aligned to BS 7533-3. We offer trench-drain detailing, permeable jointing options (gravel, resin-bound aggregate), and soakaway design per BRE Digest 365. Interactive drainage calculators size linear channels, catchpits, and permeable paving elements to manage stormwater in compliance with UK SuDS guidelines. Finite-element analysis case studies illustrate stress distribution under dynamic loads, ensuring installations resist rutting, settlement, and frost heave even in harsh British winters.

Working on listed buildings and conservation areas requires specialist knowledge. CobbleSmith provides conservation-grade methodologies for replacing worn setts, matching original tooling marks, and sourcing appropriate stone from regional quarries. We explain BS 7913 principles, English Heritage repair guidelines, and mortar analysis techniques to replicate historic pointing mixes. Our case studies—Georgian courtyard relays in Bath, Victorian high-street pedestrianisation in York—detail stakeholder coordination, permit navigation, and documentation required for Scheduled Monument Consent. This ensures your restoration work meets statutory requirements and retains heritage value.

Our CobbleLab service transforms your conceptual designs into realistic 3D visualisations and material schedules within 72 hours. Upload CAD DWG files or hand sketches; receive rendered perspective views, exploded assembly sequences, and a detailed Bill of Materials. We simulate daylight, wet/dry conditions, and foot-traffic wear patterns, enabling you to present compelling proposals to clients or planning authorities. Material take-offs include stone quantities, sub-base volumes, mortar and jointing aggregates—facilitating accurate tendering and cost control from the outset.

CobbleSmith champions eco-responsible stonework. We quantify embodied carbon for each stone type and sub-base option using ICE database factors, enabling LCA comparisons. Guidance on low-carbon binders, recycled aggregate sub-bases, and onsite water-recycling for cutting and washing reduces environmental footprint. Our carbon-offset partnerships plant native UK trees for every tonne of stone processed. We also advise on permeable paving to mitigate urban runoff and support biodiversity through integrated planting channels—helping you achieve BREEAM and WELL credits for sustainable site development.