Mountain Black cobblestones, 100x100mm in 20mm and 30mm, with a natural split face. This is the textured black cobble in the range. If you want a smoother tumbled black cobble, or the larger 200x100mm format, or mesh-mounted brick bond for a big driveway, that is Raven Black instead.
Split Face Versus Tumbled
The difference is worth understanding before you order, because the two look quite distinct laid.
A natural split face is the surface the stone breaks along. It is uneven, faceted, and it catches light in different directions across a paved area, which is what makes split-face cobbles look like old European setts. A tumbled cobble has been rumbled to soften the edges and flatten the face, giving a more even, more contemporary surface.
Mountain Black is the split one. Underfoot it is grippier and rougher, which is good on a slope and less pleasant barefoot. Visually it reads darker and more textural, since the faceting throws shadow.
Where the Small Format Works
At 100x100mm and split-faced, Mountain Black suits detail work more than broad areas. Garden paths, courtyard infill, tree surrounds, edging bands, and the apron strip at the head of a driveway where you want a texture change. It also lays into curves easily, because a small square cobble follows a radius with narrow tapered joints rather than obvious cuts.
On a full vehicle driveway the larger Raven Black format will be faster to lay and easier on tyres. Mountain Black on a driveway is not wrong, it is just more work per square metre.
Laying
Coverage is 27.65sqm per crate at 20mm and 18.43sqm at 30mm. The 30mm goes on a concrete base with adhesive where vehicles cross; the 20mm is fine for paths and courtyards on a bonded base. Because the face is uneven, keep the joints slightly wider than you would with a sawn cobble and let the grout do the levelling.
Granite needs no sealing. Some people seal a black split-face cobble anyway because it deepens the colour when dry, which otherwise only shows when the stone is wet.
The rest of the range is on the cobblestones page, and the greys are Ocean Grey and Ash Grey. We import direct into our Keysborough warehouse in Melbourne. Samples are free.
