Paving Types Compared: Concrete, Brick, Natural Stone, and Porcelain

The paving you choose for your outdoor areas sets the tone for your entire landscape. It is the largest visual element in most outdoor spaces, the surface you walk on daily, and a significant investment that should last decades. Getting the material choice right is essential.

This guide compares the four main paving types used in Australian residential landscaping — concrete, brick, natural stone, and porcelain — with realistic Adelaide costs, pros and cons, and recommendations for different applications. Visit our paving construction page for more information.

Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers are the most popular paving choice in Adelaide, offering an excellent balance of affordability, durability, and design versatility.

Types

• Standard concrete pavers: Basic rectangular or square pavers in a range of colours
• Exposed aggregate: Surface aggregate (small stones) exposed for a textured, decorative finish
• Pressed concrete: Smooth-surfaced pavers available in many sizes and colours
• Large format: Oversized pavers (400mm–800mm) for a contemporary look with fewer joints

Costs

• Standard pavers: $60–$90 per square metre installed
• Exposed aggregate: $80–$130 per square metre installed
• Large format: $90–$150 per square metre installed

Pros

• Most affordable paving option
• Enormous range of sizes, colours, and textures
• Easy to replace individual damaged pavers
• Good non-slip properties
• Widely available from Adelaide suppliers

Cons

• Can fade in colour over time, especially cheaper ranges
• May develop efflorescence (white salt deposits) in the first year
• Less unique than natural stone — a manufactured product
• Cheaper ranges can look artificial

Best For

Driveways, entertaining areas, pool surrounds, pathways, and general outdoor paving. Concrete pavers are the do-everything option.

Brick Pavers

Clay brick pavers offer warmth, character, and exceptional longevity. Adelaide has a strong brick tradition, and clay pavers complement many of the city's home styles.

Types

• Standard clay pavers: Traditional rectangular bricks in classic earth tones
• Tumbled clay pavers: Mechanically tumbled for an aged, rustic appearance
• Handmade pavers: Individually made for unique character — premium pricing

Costs

• Standard clay pavers: $80–$120 per square metre installed
• Tumbled pavers: $100–$150 per square metre installed
• Handmade/premium: $130–$200 per square metre installed

Pros

• Beautiful warm colours that do not fade — colour goes all the way through
• Extremely durable — 50+ year lifespan
• Develop an attractive patina with age
• Excellent grip in wet conditions
• Complement Adelaide's heritage and character architecture

Cons

• Limited colour range compared to concrete (primarily earth tones)
• More expensive than concrete pavers
• Can grow moss or algae in permanently shaded areas
• Individual bricks may chip if hit by heavy objects

Best For

Heritage homes, character properties, traditional garden paths, driveways where classic elegance is desired.

Natural Stone Paving

Natural stone is the premium paving choice, offering unmatched beauty, uniqueness, and character. Every piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind.

Types

• Sandstone: Warm gold to honey tones. Adelaide's signature stone
• Bluestone: Dark grey to blue-black. Dramatic and contemporary
• Travertine: Cream to ivory. Popular for pool surrounds (stays cool underfoot)
• Limestone: Pale cream to grey. Suits coastal and contemporary styles
• Granite: Various colours. Extremely hard-wearing

Costs

• Sandstone: $100–$180 per square metre installed
• Bluestone: $120–$200 per square metre installed
• Travertine: $130–$220 per square metre installed
• Limestone: $100–$170 per square metre installed
• Granite: $140–$250 per square metre installed

Pros

• Stunning natural beauty that improves with age
• Every piece is unique
• Exceptional longevity (50–100+ years)
• Adds significant value to your property
• Natural thermal properties — travertine and sandstone stay cool in summer

Cons

• Most expensive paving option
• Some types stain if not sealed (especially sandstone and limestone)
• Can be slippery when wet unless honed or textured
• Natural colour variation means the final result is less predictable
• Heavier than concrete pavers, requiring more substantial base preparation

Best For

Pool surrounds, feature entertaining areas, front entries, heritage properties, and high-end landscaping where budget allows. See our crazy paving guide for a creative natural stone option.

Porcelain Pavers

Porcelain pavers are the newest entrant to the Australian paving market and are rapidly gaining popularity for their combination of beauty and performance.

Types

• Stone-look porcelain: Mimics natural stone (travertine, bluestone, sandstone) with remarkable realism
• Wood-look porcelain: Replicates timber decking without the maintenance
• Concrete-look porcelain: Smooth, modern finishes in neutral tones

Costs

• Standard porcelain pavers: $120–$180 per square metre installed
• Premium ranges: $150–$250 per square metre installed

Pros

• Virtually non-porous — do not stain, absorb water, or grow mould
• Extremely hard and scratch-resistant
• Consistent colour and pattern (unlike natural stone)
• Excellent slip resistance when wet
• Very low maintenance — no sealing required
• Lighter than natural stone, easier to handle

Cons

• Can feel less "authentic" than natural stone or brick
• Requires precise installation on a mortar bed (not sand-set like concrete pavers)
• Can chip on edges if hit hard
• Limited track record in Australia (relatively new product category)

Best For

Modern homes, pool surrounds (excellent non-slip), low-maintenance entertaining areas, and situations where the look of natural stone is desired without the maintenance.

Quick Comparison Guide

• Best value: Concrete pavers
• Most durable: Granite or porcelain
• Most beautiful: Natural stone (subjective, but widely agreed)
• Lowest maintenance: Porcelain
• Best for heritage homes: Clay brick or sandstone
• Best for pool surrounds: Travertine or porcelain
• Best for driveways: Concrete pavers or clay brick

For more on paving costs, visit our paving cost page, or explore garden path ideas for path-specific paving inspiration.

Paving Installation Process

Understanding the installation process helps you appreciate why professional paving costs what it does and why quality installation matters:

Base Preparation

This is the most critical step in any paving project. The base determines how your paving will perform for decades to come:

1. Excavation: Remove existing surface material and soil to the required depth (typically 200–300mm below finished level)
2. Subgrade compaction: Compact the exposed soil with a plate compactor. On Adelaide's clay soils, this step is critical for preventing future settlement
3. Road base: Install 100–150mm of compacted crushed rock (Class 2 or Class 3 road base). This provides a stable, well-draining foundation
4. Bedding layer: Apply a 25–30mm layer of bedding sand (for sand-set pavers) or mortar bed (for porcelain and some natural stone)
5. Edge restraint: Install permanent edge restraints (concrete haunching, steel edging, or existing structures) to prevent pavers from shifting

Paver Laying

1. Lay pavers on the prepared bedding layer according to the chosen pattern
2. Maintain consistent joint widths (typically 2–5mm for concrete pavers, 5–10mm for natural stone)
3. Cut pavers at edges using a diamond blade wet saw or angle grinder
4. Check levels and alignment regularly during laying

Finishing

1. Fill joints with kiln-dried sand, polymeric sand, or mortar (depending on paver type)
2. Compact the finished surface with a plate compactor (concrete and clay pavers only — not porcelain or natural stone)
3. Clean the surface and apply sealer if required

Adelaide-Specific Paving Considerations

Adelaide's conditions affect paving performance in specific ways:

• Reactive clay subgrade: Adelaide's expansive clay soils can cause paving to heave and settle unevenly. A thick, well-compacted road base layer is essential to isolate the paving from clay movement
• Salt attack: In coastal suburbs and areas with saline groundwater, salt can crystallise within porous pavers, causing surface flaking (spalling). Choose low-absorption pavers or apply penetrating sealer in salt-affected areas
• Heat expansion: Adelaide's extreme summer temperatures cause paving to expand. Adequate expansion joints and flexible jointing materials prevent cracking and buckling
• Stormwater management: Adelaide councils increasingly require paved areas to manage stormwater runoff. Permeable paving, drainage channels, and soak-away pits may be required for larger paved areas

Get Expert Paving Advice

The right paving choice depends on your specific application, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Professional landscapers can assess your site, recommend suitable materials, and provide accurate quotes based on your Adelaide property.

Get matched with qualified Adelaide paving specialists for free, no-obligation quotes. Whether you are paving a small path or an entire entertaining area, connecting with experienced professionals ensures a result that looks great and lasts for decades.