TABBY
A look that screams Lowcountry.
The Lowcountry is defined by deep-seated ties to the water;
a place where life revolves around the ebb and flow of the tide.
From early mornings cast-netting shrimp to catching flounder and redfish from the dock, to cool evenings gathered around an oyster roast with family and friends. Those very oysters serve as the connection between our local waters and our architecture: tabby—a mixture of lime, sand, and crushed shells that served as the architectural foundation for our region’s history.
The origins of tabby construction
Whether you’re tracing ancient shell rings left by indigenous peoples or walking past historic Gullah Geechee masonry, you see this building material everywhere in the Lowcountry.
The history of tabby construction is a story of resourceful coastal masonry. Traditionally, this building material was a mixture of lime, sand, and crushed shells that served as the architectural foundation for our region’s history.
Did you know...
The use of shells in the regional landscape predates European arrival and continues through the unique cultural history of the South Carolina coast.
Indigenous Origins:
The legacy of shell-based construction can be traced back to ancient shell rings left by indigenous peoples.
Gullah Geechee Masonry:
Tabby is a central element in historic Gullah Geechee masonry, visible in structures that have survived for generations throughout the region.
Early Spanish and English settlers adopted tabby as a primary building material because it provided a durable alternative to imported stone or brick.
The Chemistry of Shells:
To create the mixture, builders burned oyster shells to produce lime.
The Mixture:
This lime was then combined with sand, water, and additional crushed shells to form a heavy, structural mortar.
A Lowcountry staple, re-engineered
As the local manufacturer of premium concrete pavers for driveways, patios, pool decks & parks right here in coastal South Carolina, it’s important to us to carry forward the history and aesthetic of the material that helped build the place we love and call home.
Our exclusive Tabby finish brings tabby construction to the modern era, incorporating crushed oyster shells into our meticulously designed 10,000 PSI pavers. Best of all, it can be applied to any product in our entire lineup.
From the water, to your home.
Tabby Finish products are finished by hand. As a result, variations in texture, color, and the amount and distribution of exposed tabby shell are inherent and should be expected. These natural variations are part of the product’s intended character and aesthetic.
Due to the nature of the tabby shell surface, some shell exposure or minor shell loss may occur over time with handling, installation, weathering, or use. This is a normal characteristic of the product and is not considered a defect. Loss of shell material is not covered under warranty.
DIGITAL PRODUCT GUIDE
Browse our digital catalog to see all Lowcountry Paver hardscape offerings, color collections, finishing options, & accessories, as well as Lowcountry Turf synthetic turf options.
