Designing With Pavers

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Pavers form a gateway to your home and the first taste of what to expect once you're inside. Pavers can be used to set a mood and establish a design style and, whether you're building or renovating your home, you'll want to get it right.

You'll find pavers in a range of materials, from warm and natural terracotta to eminently stylish granite and slate and you'll have noticed them gracing many paths, patios and driveways. But with a complex field of colours and patterns from which to choose, how do you pick the perfect paving pattern for your home? Here are a few classic designs to get you started.

• Herringbone: A classic, interlocking design that is sturdy enough for use on your driveway, the herringbone pattern features one vertical paver nestled atop a horizontal paver, with corners meeting snugly. Herringbone designs can be laid out at a straight 90-degree angle, or set at a diagonal of 45 degrees. Herringbone paving will best maintain its shape when laid on a square surface with a border and using pavers in a darker colour to frame the body of your paving will create a defined and stylish look.
• Radial paving: A very popular design for use on patios and outdoor entertaining areas, a radial pattern moves outwards from a central point, featuring ever-expanding circles. For extra interest, this design can also be laid against one wall.
• Stretcher Bond: Suitable for use with square or rectangular pavers, this pattern features a staggered design, just as you see on a traditional brick wall. Adding an inlay of contrasting pavers is a great way to create interest when using this design.
• Stack bond: The simplest of paving designs, the stack bond pattern features uninterrupted stretches of rectangular or square pavers. This pattern is easy on the eyes and perfect for use in lighter traffic areas.
• Stack bond 45: Consider laying your pavers diagonally rather than horizontally, for an appealing twist on the traditional stack bond design. While the 45-degree variation is an inviting innovation, avoid using it on driveways where the weight of your car might shift your pavers out of alignment.

Mixing your patterns

Once you decide which of the basic patterns will suit your home and lifestyle, you can get truly creative and start combining patterns to form your design. Consider pairing herringbone and stack bond designs, combining a simple stretcher bond pattern with a radial border, and mixing colours and textures. Once you have the basics, the sky's the limit!

Paving is about so much more than creating a place to walk or park your car. With the right materials, the perfect pattern and professional paving assistance, your pavers will set the tone for what's in store inside your home. So choose well, and enjoy designing with pavers.

30 March 2021