The Complete Guide to Paving

Paving is a reliable way to upgrade outdoor spaces with durable aethetic surfaces that work hard all year round. Whether you prefer classic natural stone, concrete, or porcelain patio slabs, the right choice depends on use, style, and the level of maintenance you want to commit to. Higher quality paving pays back over time through easier installation, neater joints, and improved resistance to weathering and staining. For Trade Professionals, that means quicker laying and fewer callbacks. For DIYers, it means a cleaner finish and less maintenance. With Lawsons, you’ll find garden paving and driveway paving options to suit patios, paths, and parking areas—plus the paving accessories to complete the job.

Popular paving choices include:

• Concrete slabs: Consistent sizing, versatile colours and textures, ideal for practical patios and utility areas.
• Natural stone: Sandstone and limestone deliver unique character, rich tones, and timeless appeal for statement spaces.
• Porcelain paving: Dense, low-porosity, excellent stain and frost resistance, with a refined, contemporary look.
• Block paving: A go-to for driveway paving thanks to its strong interlock and patterns such as herringbone.

Starting with the right kit makes the work smoother and safer. For most patios, paths, and driveway paving, you’ll typically need:

• Measuring and layout: Tape measure, string line, line pins, set square, and marking paint or chalk.
• Levelling: Spirit level, straightedge, and levels to confirm falls and flatness.
• Lifting and placing: Rubber mallet, lump hammer, and a Grabo powered suction lifter for accurate handling of large patio slabs.
• Cutting: Brick bolster and club hammer for small trims, or an angle grinder/bench saw with a diamond blade for clean cuts when you need to know how to cut paving slabs.
• Groundworks: Spade, shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, and a plate compactor for consolidating sub-base layers.
• Finishing: Pointing trowel, jointing iron or brush, bucket, sponge, and soft broom.
• PPE: Safety boots, gloves, eye protection, dust mask, and ear defenders when cutting or compacting.

Typical build-ups include:

• Weed control: A permeable geotextile (where required) to separate subgrade and sub-base.
• Sub-base: MOT Type 1 or similar, compacted in layers for a stable foundation.
• Laying bed: Full mortar bed for flags and patio slabs; sharp sand laying course for how to lay block paving.
• Paving: Concrete, natural stone, porcelain, blocks, or council slabs—matched to use and design.
• Primers/additives: Slurry primers for porcelain and dense stones; plasticisers for workable mortars.
• Jointing: Sand/cement mortar, resin-based jointing, or kiln-dried sand for block paving.
• Kerbs/edge restraints: To contain and stabilise the paved area.

Sound preparation delivers reliable, long-lasting paving. This section covers how to lay a patio and how to lay patio slabs, with notes on how to lay block paving for driveways.

1) Survey, design, and set-out

• Measure the area, sketch the layout, note curves, steps, edgings, services, and drainage routes.
• Plan a fall of around 1:60–1:80 away from buildings, directing water to suitable drainage.
• Set out with string lines and pegs. Use the 3-4-5 method for square corners. Plan cuts to avoid thin slivers.
• Use the Lawsons paving calculator to answer how many patio slabs will you need. Add an allowance for cuts and potential breakages.

2) Excavation and sub-base

• Excavate to accommodate sub-base, laying bed, and slab thickness. Patios often need 100–150 mm sub-base; driveway paving usually needs 150–200 mm depending on soil and load.
• Trim the subgrade, remove soft spots, backfill and compact where necessary.
• Install permeable geotextile (if required) to separate and stabilise layers.
• Place MOT Type 1 in approx. 50 mm layers, compacting each pass and checking levels and falls.
• Set kerbs/edge restraints on concrete and haunch securely before laying.

3) Laying the paving

• For flags and patio slabs, prepare a full mortar bed (around 4:1 sharp sand to cement). Avoid spot bedding.
• For porcelain and dense stones, apply a slurry primer to the underside to improve adhesion.
• Start from a straight datum. Lower each unit onto the bed, tap to level, keep falls consistent, and maintain joint width.
• Cut pieces using a diamond blade for clean results—ideal when learning how to cut paving slabs. Wear appropriate PPE.
• For how to lay block paving: screed a sharp sand course, place blocks to pattern, compact with a mat, then sweep in kiln-dried sand and compact again.

4) Jointing and finishing

• When the bed is firm, fill joints with a compatible compound. Resin jointing gives low maintenance on rigid patios; mortar offers a traditional look.
• Brush excess away, lightly wash if suitable, and protect new work from traffic and bad weather until cured.
• Check falls and ensure drains and channels are clear.

Pattern choice affects stability, appearance, and how the space feels. Selecting your layout early supports efficient take-offs, cleaner edges, and fewer cuts.

• Use paving to define zones—dining, walkways, quiet seating—and link them with coordinated kerbs and edging.
• Blend textures for interest: smooth porcelain near doors for easy cleaning, then transition to riven stone by planting beds.
• Gentle curves can guide views and improve flow.
• Decorative gravels and aggregates add drainage and visual contrast.
• If you want seamless indoor–outdoor living, align external paving module sizes with interior flooring and keep colours cohesive.
• At thresholds, ensure correct slab thickness and tidy edge profiles.
• Choose porcelain with good slip resistance for patios by sliding or bi-fold doors

Good drainage is essential for longevity and safety. 

You should aim for a fall away from buildings, with run-off directed to permeable ground, linear channels, or soakaways in line with local rules, keeping finished levels below the damp-proof course and avoid bridging damp-proof membranes.

On driveway paving, consider permeable solutions where possible. 

You should aim for a fall away from buildings, with run-off directed to permeable ground, linear channels, or soakaways in line with local rules, keeping finished levels below the damp-proof course and avoid bridging damp-proof membranes.

Simple routines help your paving look good and last longer, here are a few tips to help keep your paving in good spec.

• Regular cleaning: Sweep to remove leaves and grit; rinse and brush as needed. Treat spills quickly to prevent stains.
• Joint care: For block paving, top up kiln-dried sand as required. For mortar or resin joints, repair cracks promptly.
• Seasonal checks: In spring, inspect for frost damage; in summer, deep clean and seal where suitable; in autumn, keep channels clear; in winter, avoid harsh de-icers and metal shovels.

Accurate planning saves time, money, and materials. Use our paving calculator to answer how many patio slabs will I need based on area, slab size, and pattern. Our team can also help quantify sub-base and bedding materials, advise on drainage components, and suggest jointing and sealing products—ideal whether you’re refining a spec as a Trade Professional or learning how to lay patio slabs as a DIY Enthusiast.

With garden paving, driveway paving, council slabs, and a full suite of paving accessories in stock—plus dependable delivery and friendly, knowledgeable support—Lawsons is the partner you can trust. Established in 1921 and now the largest independent timber, building materials, and fencing merchant in London and the South East, we combine family values with professional service to help you build better, faster, and with total confidence.