Yer a genius if you can .....

[ToughButterCup]

 tell me which is the right way up for these please. Notice I'm only asking you all to decide which is the top side of any of the slabs I've just had delivered.

 

Because given that, even I can just about work out which face should be on the bottom

There are no indicators anywhere round the edge of the slabs.

This one (A)  Top - side ? [ more dimples]

 or 

 

This one (B) Top side?  [fewer dimples]

 

 

And because I'm a teacher, please when you respond, show your workings for more marks. And a biscuit if you agree with SWMBO. 😜

[MikeSharp01]

I vote for the dimples being the underside! Why - evidence - because the dimples are part of the manufacturing process and offer a key for the underside cement if used. The dimples are not big enough for the slabs to be indicator slabs that you might see at dropped curb edges on pelican crossings. The dimples are unsightly. 

[SteamyTea]

Dimples down.

It creates more surface to whatever it is bonding to.

 

Actually I don't have a clue on those council slabs, but when we made tooling for concrete slabs, the edges had a slight taper on them so the slab realised from the mould easily. The slightly small face became the top. That face could have any texture you liked on it. 

Those slabs look like they are stamped out, hence a texture on both faces.

Stamping, or high pressure moulding, allows for less water usage (just the correct amount), better filling of the tool, less waste, faster processing times  (minutes rather than hours) and a more homogeneous product that takes up less manufacturing space.

Edited yesterday at 15:29 by SteamyTea

[ToughButterCup]

That's just exactly the problem both of you.

Both sides have dimples. Side A has more dimples than side B. 

 

Or in your words @SteamyTea, they are stamped out, but the stamps are dissimilar.

 

Why?

 

[TerryE]

4 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

Dimples down.

My vote as well . I believe it to act as a keying surface for the mortar bed; a smooth surface is more likely to shear, and the slabs to loosen. 🙂

 

Edited yesterday at 19:46 by TerryE

[SteamyTea]

1 hour ago, ToughButterCup said:

Why

Look for a taper on the edges then.

[S2D2]

1 hour ago, ToughButterCup said:

Why?

 

A up - you stopped the job to take a picture of the imperfect edge. Turns out that's a shadow.

 

B up - they seem to be stacked B up and who has the time to be flipping slabs over. But there appears to be some sort of seam I don't understand the purpose of - a way to get a clean break?

 

Disclaimer: Never laid a slab in my life (may do soon) and stopped myself Googling it. For serious answers look elsewhere.

Edited yesterday at 20:45 by S2D2

[G and J]

My answer, and I can say this with great confidence, is either, i.e. whichever side you prefer.  
 

Just make sure they are either:

 

A) all the same way up, or

 

B) if not all the same way up at least arrange them so they are in a pattern (e.g. checkerboard or stripes or chevrons or whatever). 
 

Do I get extra housepoints?

[ToughButterCup]

Well, class of 25, I'm disappointed in you all. 

 

And as for you @TerryE, I am particularly worried at your sudden lack of nerdery. Almost as bad as that @SteamyTea fella. At least he had a (serving) suggestion - look for a taper.

 

And why @S2D2 has the temerity to post at all is beyond me. No experience, but a sharp eye I see.

 

@G and J concerned about how pretty it all should be. Thinks we're all going to be looking at our feet every time we step on a paving stone. So arty farty. So superficial

Hmmm, must understand wimmin like my wife well. 

 

Both sides have dimples: dimples I tell you.

 

Why the differing dimple density? It's such a simple question and yet the BH hive mind doesn't know.

 

Ha! I'm delighted 

 

Where's @Onoff when you need him.? Or Jezza?

 

Edited 15 hours ago by ToughButterCup

[G and J]

6 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

concerned about how pretty it all should be

Does anything else matter?    🤔

[saveasteading]

OK time for my input.

Serious subjects need long and derailed discussions 

 

The dimples are the bottom. The other face could be flat or have pretend stone profiling or other patterns... including dimples.

 

In this case they are utility slabs, the small dimples on the top face I'm guessing are caused by stacking the product too soon after manufacture. 

If you like the dimples for some reason (grip) then it's OK to lay them upwards but they will wear off, and if the slabs are taper edged then there isn't space for grouting.

Dimples down.

[ToughButterCup]

Woooohooooo, big guns (  @saveasteading) . are at it now.....

 

 

Time for some close-up dimple pics -

 

The argument now is; some dimples are harder than others.

Hard dimples down then...

 

Some dimples do, some dimples don't 

Some dimples need a lot of wearing, some dimples don't 

Some do, some don't and some dimples lie ....

(Apologies Racey)

 

 

Pics in a minnit 

[ToughButterCup]

Shoulda known better...

 

Utility paving slabs often have different dimple patterns on each side because one side is typically designed as the "top" surface with finer, closer-set dimples for a non-slip finish, while the coarser, more widely spaced dimples on the underside are a result of the manufacturing process (sitting on the mould).

(Google Gemini Downloaded July  2025)

[ToughButterCup]

That's taken all the fun out of that one then hasn't it

[G and J]

I’m sorry, I simply don’t accept that Racey deserve an apology.

[MikeSharp01]

13 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

Utility paving slabs often have different dimple patterns on each side because one side is typically designed as the "top" surface with finer, closer-set dimples for a non-slip finish, while the coarser, more widely spaced dimples on the underside are a result of the manufacturing process (sitting on the mould).

(Google Gemini Downloaded July  2025)

Hmmmm - doing your homework with AI can lead to all kinds of consequences- not the least of which is getting it wrong. Did you not read the disclaimer at the bottom which says, something to the effect of, AI is experimental and may get the answer wrong. 

[ToughButterCup]

@SteamyTea strikes again .....

There is a bevel folks ... A BEVEL I tell ya !

 

I hate it when @SteamyTea is right. 

[Pocster]

16 hours ago, ToughButterCup said:

That's just exactly the problem both of you.

Both sides have dimples. Side A has more dimples than side B. 

 

Or in your words @SteamyTea, they are stamped out, but the stamps are dissimilar.

 

Why?

 

Just count the dimples on both sides . Most dimples is down side . Easy bro 👊🏻 

[saveasteading]

4 hours ago, MikeSharp01 said:

doing your homework with AI can lead to all kinds of consequences

Eg it might have picked up the discussion on here: where else does this level of expertise on concrete slab dimples exist?

[ToughButterCup]

2 hours ago, Pocster said:

Just count the dimples on both sides . Most dimples is down side . Easy bro 👊🏻 

 

No @Pocster, wash your mouth out. Rong.  Not paying attention to @SteamyTeas post. Bad Boy. Stand in the corner. 

 

The side with the Bevel is down . Fewer dimples. 

Why? Cos the bevels release the mold more easily.

[Pocster]

6 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

 

No @Pocster, wash your mouth out. Rong.  Not paying attention to @SteamyTeas post. Bad Boy. Stand in the corner. 

 

The side with the Bevel is down . Fewer dimples. 

Why? Cos the bevels release the mold more easily.

That’s bollocks . But count the dimples anyway 

[ToughButterCup]

8 hours ago, saveasteading said:

.... if the slabs are taper edged then there isn't space for grouting.

Dimples down.

 

I'm having a bash at laying with zero grout - just butted up to one another. Not easy - it would be easier if the bloody things were exactly the same size but they're not

[ToughButterCup]

Just now, Pocster said:

That’s bollocks . But count the dimples anyway 

 

Ok, I'll sample 100 sq mm , and then multiply by 6 ( 600 square)

 

Ok, done that - now what?

[Pocster]

Just now, ToughButterCup said:

 

Ok, I'll sample 100 sq mm , and then multiply by 6 ( 600 square)

 

Ok, done that - now what?

No . You count each one and put a marker pen on the dimple so you don’t count it again . I want photographic proof you’ve done this then I’ll tell you what to do .

[ToughButterCup]

Oh , OK then. 😡