Porphyry is a natural stone quarries and manufactured in Italy and Argentina.

Porphyry stone shall have the characteristics indicated in compliance with ASTM C615 stone testing standards.

Porphyry is a naturally layered stone. It has two naturally cleft faces. Thickness is selected in four different ranges.

Tolerances: Porphyry products have an 1" tolerance in Thickness with the selected range

Products with a split edge have an overall face size tolerance of +/_ 1/2" tolerance. Sawn edge products have a face size tolerance of 1/16"

Porphyry products shall be staked on wooden pallets and wrapped with heavy plastic. Materials may be stored outside at job site

Porphyry shall be handled from the warehouse or port of destination to job site by a forklift or equipment customarily used for conveyance of stone or other similar materials.

Ordering: A minimum of 8 to 10 weeks are needed for materials not in stock. Availability shall be reviewed with local distributors.

ISO 9002 International Product Quality Assurance.

Each color shall be mined out of a single quarry. The quarry shall provide the material of a consistent quality in appearance and physical properties; to include the capacity to cut and finish the material. The quarry guarantees for 5 (five) years the quality if the material and fabrication. 

Drawings shall be prepared including the following information about the porphyry products.

Submit samples of porphyry paving products for approval. Samples shall display surface finish, color, size and thickness ranges as well as the characteristics of the stone for proper selections.

Some projects due to their size will require a mock up. The purpose of the mock up shall be to evaluate the color variation of the stone, comparability of the adjacent materials, and overall aesthetic standard for the project.

Porphyry shall not be installed with dry pack method while raining or snowing, or on frozen aggregates.

Various climates require different bedding installations for quality applications; these will depend on the climate, soil conditions, budget and desired look.

Consultations with on staff landscape architects and installers for best product  and installation method is a service provided by the quarry.

Bedding: 4" / 6" Limerock or concrete foundation with 1 1/2 / 2" Bedding layer of sand with a sieve size of 0. (See example A below)

Installation: Dry pack method with 50/50 ratio for mortar and sand mix or only mortar mix. Cubes are best set in sand.

Joints: Material with a split edge shall have a minimum of a 1/2" joint. Tiles with a sawn edge shall have a minimum 1/8" joint. Joints can be filled with masonite sand, mortar or with a sand mortar ratio 60/40

During Installation the finished work should be cleaned with water and saw dust or sand to remove impurities on the surface. When job is complete it can be pressure washed or acid washed.