Collection: Crazy Paving

The crazy paving (opus incertum) is a floor covering or wall covering made from natural stones of irregular shapes. This laying technique, inherited from the Roman world, consists of assembling slabs or pavers without a regular geometric pattern, creating a unique and authentic visual effect. The term "opus incertum" therefore refers to a laying style, not a material in itself.

Highly prized for its rustic charm, this solution is equally suited to indoor (entrance, living room, bathroom) and outdoor (terrace, path, pool copings) use. The thickness of the stones used varies depending on the use, notably to guarantee strength in vehicle-accessible or high-stress areas. This type of covering can also be used as wall cladding for a natural look.

Crazy paving (opus incertum) has many advantages. It makes it possible to create an original, natural and warm layout. Thanks to the irregular formats, each product becomes unique and gives a handcrafted touch to your project.

This type of paving is renowned for its resistance, particularly if you choose natural stones such as gneiss, quartzite or limestone. These materials offer excellent longevity. Opus suits all styles: country house, contemporary, Provençal farmhouse, or modern terrace.

Another advantage: a very good value for money. Indeed, this irregular laying limits raw material waste and allows optimal use of the stock. Its use as cladding, tiling or wall covering also gives a distinctive style.

Unlike rectangular or square slabs, the formats of an opus incertum (crazy paving) are not standard. They are rather raw or split pieces, of different lengths, widths and thicknesses, often supplied loose or on pallets.

Some materials such as Yonne limestone or Rose quartzite are particularly suitable. The stones are available in different formats depending on stock.

Our stores of Minéral Pierre Naturelle (Strasbourg, Lyon, Thionville, Nancy, Saarwellingen, Ladoix and Woustwiller in Lorraine) offer a wide availability of products in crazy paving (opus incertum), which you can browse on our website or by making an appointment for a personalized quotation.

The installation of slabs in crazy paving (opus incertum) requires method and preparation. The substrate must be stable and well prepared. For an outdoor floor, a sand-cement bed or a concrete screed is recommended. For indoor use, bonded installation on a thin screed is possible.

Before fixing the stones, it is advisable to do a dry layout to anticipate the joins and the size of the joints. The length of the stones varies: some can be recut to optimize the arrangement.

The joints can be wide (for a rustic effect) or thin (for a contemporary look). The choice of grout color is also an important point for the final aesthetics. For cladding use, it is recommended to use an adhesive suited to tiles made of natural stone.

The choice of natural stone is essential to guarantee a high-quality crazy paving (opus incertum). Several products are available depending on the use and the desired effect:

• Gneiss: ideal for its resistance and its dark grey to black tones
• Quartzite: very hard, perfect for outdoors, pink or ochre in colour
• Limestone: from Burgundy or Egypt, lighter, for a soft atmosphere
• Travertine: for a Mediterranean touch

Each paving can be offered in different thicknesses, depending on whether it is intended for a floor for pedestrians or vehicles. Can also be used as tiles, stone panel or cladding.

Our stocks are regularly updated. Check the availability directly at your nearest store or on our website.

Before buying, several criteria should be taken into account:

• The thickness and strength required
• The price depending on the product and the stone chosen
• The availability and the delivery time
• The intended use (indoors, terrace, pool coping, path, cladding...)
• The desired color: pink, beige, grey, multicolored

You can consult our team to help you make the right choice based on your project and your budget. Each offer is tailored to your needs: secure payment, fast shipping from our stock, technical advice in store or by phone. We support you throughout the course of your project.

Minéral Pierre Naturelle offers you a wide choice of paving, pavers, pool copings, cladding and other products in natural stone. Our branches in Strasbourg, Lyon, Thionville, Nancy, Saarwellingen, Ladoix and Woustwiller (Lorraine) have stock available for fast delivery.

All our products are carefully selected for their quality, their resistance and their format.

Yes, we offer a simple and secure payment system. You can also contact your nearest store to check stock levels or arrange a customised shipment. Our advisors will support you throughout your decision-making process.

You can also browse our various online catalogues. There you will find the formats and thickness of each slab.

At Minéral Pierre Naturelle, we do everything we can to offer you a project in natural stone that is unique, durable and at the best price.