Basalt Black Cobbles – Split Face Finish

Product overview

Basalt black cobbles deliver natural durability and refined appearance for patios, pathways, driveways and landscaping projects. Cut from dense volcanic basalt and finished with a rough split-face texture, these cobblestones combine slip-resistant practicality with timeless aesthetic appeal. The split-face finish exposes the stone’s natural crystalline structure, creating a textured surface that performs in heavy-use environments while maintaining a sophisticated, hand-hewn character. Citadel Stone basalt cobbles are suited to both pedestrian and vehicular applications, offering designers and contractors a proven paving solution for residential and commercial projects.

Key features & benefits

• Natural basalt durability — volcanic origin delivers exceptional compressive strength and long-term structural integrity for load-bearing applications.
• Split-face texture — rough-hewn surface improves slip resistance and hides wear, while sawn backs ensure stable installation on prepared bases.
• Stable black coloration — basalt’s dense mineral composition resists fading and maintains consistent color across temperature extremes and UV exposure.
• Freeze-thaw performance — low water absorption minimizes expansion and cracking in freeze-thaw cycles, protecting joints and substrate.
• High-traffic suitability — suitable for black cobblestone pavers for patios, driveways and commercial pedestrian zones where surface wear is a concern.
• Flexible jointing options — accepts sand, polymeric sand or mortar joints, allowing contractors to match project specifications and drainage requirements.
• Low maintenance profile — natural stone surface resists staining and requires only periodic sweeping and rinsing to maintain appearance.
• Design versatility — pairs with lighter stone borders, modern concrete edging or traditional clay brick to create contrasting patterns and visual hierarchy.

Technical specifications

Coverage examples:

• Coverage example A — 100×100 mm: ~100 cobbles ≈ 1.0 m² (allow 5–8% waste).
• Coverage example B — 200×100 mm: ~50 cobbles ≈ 1.0 m² (allow 5–8% waste).

Design applications & patterns

Basalt black cobblestone for landscaping creates bold visual contrast in courtyard entries, pool surrounds and garden pathways. These cobbles adapt to multiple laying patterns and project scales:

• Running bond and stretcher bond — linear patterns for contemporary driveways and pathways.
• Fan or radial layouts — traditional European-style focal points for circular features and forecourts.
• Bordered banding — use cobbles as dark borders around lighter stone patios or as accent strips in mixed-material hardscapes.

Installation & contractor notes

Successful installation begins with proper base preparation. Excavate to required depth, install compacted granular base (minimum 150 mm for pedestrian; 200+ mm for vehicular), and top with 30–50 mm bedding sand or mortar bed. Lay cobbles with consistent joint widths (8–15 mm typical) and install edge restraint on all perimeters to prevent lateral creep. Compact using a plate compactor with protective pad to seat cobbles without damaging split-face texture. For vehicular loads, consider mortar joints and thicker base specifications. Joints may be swept with kiln-dried sand, polymeric sand or pointed with mortar depending on drainage and aesthetic requirements. Handle with care during staging to avoid corner chipping and surface staining from oils or cement residue. Request a sample slab and material spec sheet prior to ordering large quantities to confirm color match and physical properties.

Durability & maintenance

Basalt cobbles deliver excellent long-term performance with minimal intervention. Split-face texture naturally conceals minor surface wear, while the stone’s low porosity resists staining from organic matter and vehicle fluids. Routine maintenance includes periodic sweeping and occasional rinsing with water. For enhanced stain protection in high-exposure areas, apply a penetrating natural-stone sealer following manufacturer guidelines — test on sample pieces first. Re-sand joints as needed to maintain interlock and drainage. High traffic cobblestone paving projects benefit from annual inspection of joints and edge restraints to ensure continued structural stability. Avoid acidic cleaners and de-icing salts that may etch or discolor mortar joints.

FAQs

Q: Are basalt cobbles suitable for driveways?
A: Yes — with proper base preparation (200+ mm compacted aggregate) and edge restraint, basalt cobbles perform well under vehicular loads.

Q: How many cobbles do I need per square meter?
A: Approximately 100 units for 100×100 mm size and 50 units for 200×100 mm size; add 5–8% waste allowance for cuts and breakage.

Q: Do these cobbles require sealing?
A: Sealing is optional — basalt’s low porosity provides natural stain resistance, but sealing can enhance protection in high-exposure areas.

Q: Can I mix cobble sizes for a French-pattern layout?
A: Yes — mixing sizes creates dynamic random patterns; coordinate joint widths and request technical guidance for complex layouts.

Ordering & product support

Citadel Stone provides sample cobbles, technical data sheets and project consultation to support specification and procurement. Contact our sales team to request material test data, slab IDs, lead times and project pricing. Samples allow verification of color, finish and dimensional tolerance before committing to bulk orders.

Sample request CTA (copy-ready):
Request a sample and technical datasheet — contact our sales team for TDS and availability.

Quality note (copy-ready):
Quality controlled — request material test data and slab IDs prior to bulk ordering.