FAQs

Belgian Blue Stone

What’s the difference between Belgian Blue Stone and Asian stone?

Asian stones don’t have the same appearance, or the same technical properties, as Belgian Blue Stone. They don’t meet the same quality criteria and rarely comply with project specifications.

More info

How can I check the authenticity of Belgian Blue Stone?

On request, we can provide professionals with certificates of origin. The person laying your stone or your contractor should therefore be able to show you this certificate. The pallets on your site can also be a good source of information. All our pallets feature our company logo on the packaging.

Is Belgian Blue Stone slippery?

It all depends on the finish you choose. Some of our finishes are reputed for their non-slip properties such as: Agripa, Flamed, Bush Hammered, Sclype, Combed, Chiseled, Ice Flowers, Old Cut or Sabbiato. Small format slabs or pavers (15×15, 20×20 or 22×11 cm) with a smooth surface (e.g. Patrimoine paving stones or Milled or Sawn finishes) may also be suitable since the larger number of joints makes the surface non-slip.

Is Belgian Blue Stone porous?

Belgian Blue Stone is extremely compact, dense and non-porous. This non-porosity makes it very resistant to our climate and prevent stains from penetrating the stone. They will disappear, by themselves, over time and as the stone takes on its unique patina.

More info: Caring for your Blue Stone

Is Belgian Blue Stone frost resistant?

Its solidity and compactness make Belgian Blue Stone resistant to frost. It can withstand any climate and does not change with weather variations. This makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is also suitable for heavy-traffic areas.

How long does Belgian Blue Stone last?

Belgian Blue Stone is durable and can be used time and again. It is one of the oldest and best building materials: from cathedrals to urban developments and traditional houses, Blue Stone has proved itself in terms of longevity.

Reusable and recyclable, once cleaned, repolished or resized, Belgian Blue Stone can also take on a new life in new construction or renovation projects. If you want to remove it definitively, it can be recycled as aggregates.

Is Blue Stone suitable for underfloor heating technology?

Belgian Blue Stone is perfectly suitable for underfloor heating. An excellent heat conductor, the stone heats in a gentle and uniform way, offering a guarantee of a real comfort.

 

Blue Stone is an exhaustible resource. Do you still have a lot of reserves?

As a family business, we set great store by the sustainability of our activities. The reserves of our 3 quarries guarantee the security of supply of Belgian Blue Stone well into the future. The opening of our 3rd extraction site, Tellier des Prés, in 2006 and the extension of our Gauthier & Wincqz site in 2019 are there to prove it.

Do you sell gravel (aggregates)?

We don’t sell gravel. We advise you to contact a building supply dealer.

Do you sell gabions?

We don’t sell gabions. We advise you to contact a building supply dealer.

Where can I find Belgian Blue Stone?

I’m a private individual and would like to use Belgian Blue Stone in my project. Where can I buy it?

Our products are sold exclusively through a network of retailers and stonemasons. We do not sell directly to private individuals. The professionals who are members of our network will advise you on the right choice of formats and finishes.

Our network of retailers

I’m a private individual, can I come and see the different finishes on site, at the quarry?

We don’t sell directly to private individuals. Nor do we have a showroom. The retailers and stonemasons who are members of our distribution network will advise you on the best choice of formats and finishes.

Our network of retailers

I’m a professional, can I come and see the different finishes on site, at the quarry?

If you are working on a specific commercial project, we can meet on site in our quarry and advise you on the different finishes best suited for your needs. We can also provide you with samples. To make an appointment, please contact us by sending an e-mail to the address info@pierrebleuebelge.be

What’s the difference between a stonemason and a distributor?

If you’re looking for custom-made pieces (worktop, coping, stairs, wall claddings, etc.), contact a stonemason or monumental mason. This craftsman works the raw materials sourced from our quarries. The retailer, on the other hand, sells a finished product (mainly paving).

In each case, they will both be able to advise you on the choice of formats and finishes.

Is it possible to visit the quarry?

For individuals and students, visits can be organised on request via Soignies Tourist Office. Info & reservations: Municipal Tourist Office – Tel +32 67 67 34 73 76 – tourisme@soignies.be

As a professional and if you are working on a specific commercial project, you can send your request for a visit, by email, to our Sales Department info@pierrebleuebelge.be

What are your delivery times?

Standard products are in stock (Patrimoine paving stones, Soignies slabs and Honed slabs). For a custom order, please allow an average of 4 to 6 weeks.

For large projects, we usually adapt to the customer’s schedule and plan the different phases together.

Caring for Belgian Blue Stone

More information about caring for our products

Can Blue Stone be waterproofed?

Transparent waterproofing products can be applied to clean and dry paving after laying. Your stone will be protected against all kinds of stains. This treatment will need to be renewed every 4 years or so.

Are there any products that damage Belgian Blue Stone?

Blue Stone is a limestone, so do not use any descaling/anti-limestone or acid products.

How can I renovate my Blue Stone façade or paving?

Stonemasons or specialised companies can recondition the stone using grinding techniques.

There are scratches on my Blue Stone slabs inside my home. Is there anything I can do about it?

The superficial micro-scratches are due to traffic and furniture. They are normal and, over the years, will help the slabs to develop their beautiful patina. To nourish the stone and mask the appearance of micro scratches, you can treat your Belgian Blue Stone slabs with a neutral soap (such as Marseilles soap) diluted in water. To restore the shiny appearance, use wax and a single-brush machine equipped with a suitable pad (disc). You can rent this type of machine and do the work yourself or bring in a contractor.

After a few years, a few black hollows have appeared in my Blue Stone terrace (black veins). Is that normal? What can I do about it?

Black lines are one of the characteristics of all types of solid limestone. This specific feature, like the white veins, white spots or fossils, is an integral part of Blue Stone and contributes to its charm. Black veins can appear and open years after the stone has been laid. This creates a superficial flaking on the stone’s surface. Outside, a harsh winter can accelerate the phenomenon. After a few years, the situation will stabilize and will no longer evolve. Under no circumstances is the durability of the product compromised. These black veins are part of the patina of the stone. These are the rough patches that can be seen and admired on old church slabs.

Laying Belgian Blue Stone

What is the minimum thickness for exterior paving?

  • 3 cm for terraces, paths, pedestrian areas and roads without vehicle traffic.
  • 5 cm for garage entrances, pavements and areas with light vehicle traffic.
  • 8 cm for places with heavy traffic (roads and public spaces).

Can Blue Stone be laid on supports?

The slabs are designed for laying on supports in the case of terraces or platform terraces. The supports are adjusted slab by slab with the possible addition of an EPDM equalizer to obtain a perfectly flat surface with a slope of 2 to 3% towards the outside. The installation of the supports must allow a gap of more than 5 cm between the slabs and the waterproofing support. In any case, the recommended format for paving is 30×30 cm or 40×40 cm with a minimum thickness of 3 cm.

Do you recommend laying the Patrimoine paving stones with or without a joint?

Patrimoine paving stones can be laid quickly and easily. It can be done with or without joints. If they are laid without joints, the paving stones must be at least 5 cm thick.

Is it possible to glue Blue Stone to the façade insulation?

Yes, but you must first make sure that the glue used is suitable for natural stone and for laying on insulation.