Choosing the right paving for your home can be difficult – whether you’re just creating a small garden path or completely revamping your driveway, the decision will make a huge difference to the look and feel of your home. You need something that complements existing features and colours, fits your budget, and suits how the space will be used.
Lawsons stocks a wide variety of Marshalls and partner options across natural stone, concrete and porcelain — from traditional riven finishes to crisp sawn stones and low-maintenance porcelain. That means you can prioritise looks and the practical stuff (load, slip-resistance, upkeep) without compromising.
Wear and Performance (start here)
Start with how the area will be used — this narrows your choices fast. A driveway needs to handle daily vehicle loads; a path or patio only sees foot traffic. If the slab/block isn’t thick or strong enough for the job, it can flex, work loose, or crack, which means higher costs later. For overlays on sound concrete, you might choose thinner, purpose-made pavers to keep door thresholds and levels tidy. Before you fall in love with a colour, make sure the spec fits the use, then pick your finish within that band.
Match thickness to traffic: ~60 mm for patios & walkways; 80 mm+ and vehicle-rated blocks for driveways. Overlaying sound concrete? Consider ~45 mm overlay pavers to keep levels neat.
Drainage and Sustainability
Ask: Does water pool here, or do local rules push me toward permeable? If drainage matters, a permeable build-up (open-graded base + blocks with spacer bars) lets rain soak away instead of running to the gulley. That decision affects everything — the sub-base you order, edge details, and jointing. If water isn’t an issue and you prefer a solid bed, pick standard paving and focus on falls and channel drainage.
Pick pavers with built-in spacer bars and use an open-graded base if drainage or local guidance is a factor.
Materials at a Glance
Concrete — Great balance of cost, speed and consistency. Dry-cast units are very uniform (faster laying, crisper joints). Wet-cast looks sleek but can vary slightly in height; face-mix options give a refined top surface with structural strength below. If you want a “smart, done-right” look on a budget, concrete is a strong pick.
Natural stone — Unique colour and pattern, with character that can soften beautifully over time. Expect variation slab-to-slab; that’s part of the appeal. You can pre-seal to protect during install or let it weather first for gentler tones. Choose stone when individuality beats uniformity.
Porcelain — Non-porous, very low-maintenance and colour-stable — ideal if you want a modern look without ongoing sealing. Always choose outdoor-rated thickness and a slip rating that suits where it’s going (steps, shade, poolside).
Confirm load rating, slip rating (e.g., R11 for steps/shade/wet zones), and sealing guidance before you buy.
Style Decisions That Shape the Space
This is where you translate practical constraints into a look you love. Large, smooth formats read contemporary; mixed sizes or riven textures feel more traditional. A darker contrasting border frames the field and helps you keep lines true at the edges. In enclosed or shady spots, choose lighter slabs to lift the area. South-facing patios? Porcelain holds its colour brilliantly compared with many stones.
Pick flamed granite or porcelain with ~R11 for steps, shade and wet zones; porcelain also resists fading on south-facing patios.
Colour & Buying Tips
If colour is your decider, plan for how it’s delivered: mix from multiple packs as you lay to avoid banding; sketch the layout and use modular sizes so you land more full pieces and fewer awkward slivers; and order enough to finish now and to make repairs later. If you love the “natural stone” look but want simpler upkeep, porcelain look-alikes (e.g., Kandla-style) balance appearance with low maintenance.
Add at least 10% for cuts and breakages (more for curves/steps) and pull from multiple pallets as you lay to avoid colour banding.
Quick Maintenance
Whatever you choose, a little upkeep protects the look and the joints: brush regularly, keep algae down on shaded areas, and top up joint material when it settles — especially important for permeable builds so they keep draining as designed. Porcelain is the easiest day-to-day (most marks wipe away with mild soapy water).
A quick look at which product suits which use?
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Driveways: Vehicle-Rated Blocks
Everyday car traffic, crisp joints, classic look
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Modern & Low-Fuss: Porcelain
Non-porous, colour-stable, easy cleaning
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Contemporary Stone: Sawn
Crisp edges, large formats, premium feel
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Traditional Patios: Riven
Warm, time-worn texture and tones
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Steps & Shade: Flamed Granite
Great grip (R-rated), sleek modern look
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Natural Variation: Indian Sandstone
Characterful tones, classic garden feel