Whole, sawn or split cobblestones: which finish to choose

Whole, sawn or split: the finish decides how cobblestone paving feels underfoot, how it looks and where it fits. For streets and squares, sawn is the most comfortable; for a patio with a traditional feel, whole; and for a rustic, aged look, split or the tumbled versions. Here we compare the five finishes and the sawn slice using the data from Vetonek's product pages.

Quick comparison

Finish Walking surface Look Recommended use Price/m² (VAT incl.)
Whole Textured: the cobble is set on edge Traditional Patios, entrance halls, edges and paths; rural and traditional settings €93.94 – €106.12
Sawn Flat, the most comfortable to walk on Clean and contemporary Squares, pedestrian streets and urban settings €176.88 – €190.70
Sawn tumbled Flat with softened edges Worn stone Renovation of historic town centres, squares €197.38 – €211.02
Split Irregular, textured, with good grip Rustic and aged Patios, paths and rural settings €142.68 – €155.73
Split tumbled Textured with softened edges The most rustic Old-style pebble paving, renovation €165.02 – €178.06
Sawn slice (3 cm) Flat, two sawn faces Multicolour, the inside of the stone Terraces, patios and porches over a slab; pedestrian use €56.51

Material prices with VAT and shipping included in the price, depending on the stone. The same cobble is offered in several finishes, so you can combine them to set apart walkways, edges or borders.

Whole

Whole cobbles are traditional pebble paving: the cobble is set on edge, packed tight against the others, leaving a textured surface. It is the classic look of patios, entrance halls and paths, and the most affordable finish.

Sawn

Sawn is the most comfortable finish: the cobble is cut across its top face to leave a flat surface, ideal for walking, for terrace tables and chairs and for urban settings. It is the best choice for squares and pedestrian streets.

Sawn tumbled

Sawn tumbled cobbles are sawn and then tumbled: they keep the flat surface but with softened edges and the look of worn stone. They suit the renovation of historic town centres, where a freshly cut floor would look out of place.

Split

Split cobbles reveal the inner face of the cobble, irregular and textured. They have a rustic, aged look and good grip, and cost less than sawn.

Split tumbled

Split tumbled cobbles are split and then tumbled: they keep the texture, but with softened edges. This is the most rustic finish in the range, with the look of old pebble paving.

Sawn cobblestone slice

The slice is a cobble sawn top and bottom: a 3 cm thick piece with two flat faces that is bonded to a slab like a tile. It is the option when there is no height for full cobblestone paving, for example when renovating a terrace or a porch. From above it looks very similar to sawn cobbles.

  • Price: €56.51 per m², crates of about 18 m².
  • Use: pedestrian. For driveways, a full-height sawn or split cobble on a concrete slab is the better choice.
  • Product page: sawn cobblestone slice.

How to choose in three questions

  1. Will there be heavy foot traffic, chairs or trolleys? Sawn or sawn tumbled.
  2. Are you after a traditional or rustic look? Whole, split or split tumbled.
  3. No build-up height available? The 3 cm sawn slice over the existing slab.

Once you have chosen the finish, see which stones offer it in the guide to the nine stones and how it is laid in the installation guide. The overview is in the cobblestone paving guide.

More paving guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between whole, sawn and split cobblestones?

Whole cobbles are set on edge and leave a textured surface; sawn cobbles are cut across the top and are flat; split cobbles show the inner face of the cobble, irregular and textured.

Which finish is the most comfortable to walk on?

Sawn, because it leaves a flat surface. Sawn tumbled is flat too, with softened edges.

What does tumbled mean?

That the stone, once sawn or split, is tumbled to soften its edges and give it the look of worn stone, like that of old pebble paving.

Which is the most affordable finish?

Whole, from €93.94 to €106.12 per m² depending on the stone. It is followed by split (€142.68 to €155.73) and sawn (€176.88 to €190.70).

Which finish should I choose for a street or a square?

Sawn, the best choice for urban settings thanks to its flat surface. In historic town centres, sawn tumbled blends in better.

Can I combine finishes in the same floor?

Yes. The same stone is offered in several finishes and you can combine them to set apart walkways, edges or borders, bearing in mind that sizes vary slightly.

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