Want to change the look and feel of your property’s exterior, but stuck for ideas? Let me ‘pave the way’ for you… with 6 tips on how to select new paving for your home!

If your front yard, back yard, patio, pool space or garden paths are looking a little worse for wear, you may want to consider pulling up the current pavers and laying down new ones in their place. Perhaps you just want to redesign the space completely!

Pavers come in all shapes, sizes and levels of durability. Some pavers will be best suited to a patio due to their aesthetic, while others are more robust and suitable for a driveway, ready to take on heavy duty wear and tear for the years to come.

So where do you begin when looking to reinvigorate your property with new pavers?

Work out your budget

While natural stone pavers will be far more expensive than simple brick pavers, unpatterned pavers – even those large in size, will be cheaper to buy in bulk as opposed to the smaller pavers featuring fancy designs.

So my first piece of advice is to figure out how much you can afford to spend on your outdoor paving project, and see if it aligns with the vision you have in mind. If it doesn’t, do a little digging online or ask your local paving professional to provide alternatives to the expensive bricks you initially had your eye on.

Consider how the pavers will be used

While it’s important to work towards ensuring the renovations meet your visual expectations, you also need to keep in mind the level of use the pavers will receive.

You would not, for example, pave a driveway with terracotta or porcelain tiles, because they will not withstand the weight of vehicles frequenting your property. Delicate, decorative options like these are better suited for pool areas or BBQ entertainment spaces. Not only do they make a space look great, concrete and porcelain pavers are naturally non-slip, too.

And what to do with that driveway you were looking to pave? Durable options such as asphalt or concrete are the way to go!

Blend in with your home

When you’re redesigning your garden area, it’s always a good idea to select pavers and accessories that blend in with your home.

Is your garden path paved with bricks that clash with the grey colour scheme of your home? Why not try pavers in a cooler shade that will blend with your charcoal downpipes and painted picket fence?

Perhaps you want to maintain a ‘warm’ atmosphere in your lush back garden. Head to your local pavers supplier and ask for samples in terracotta or natural stone!

There are a variety of styles and designs that can be explored. Taking a few samples home will allow you to better envision what works and what to avoid. 

Where you lay your pavers matters

Sunshine plays a huge part in where you lay your new pavers. Avoid placing light-coloured pavers where the sun shines brightly on your property, because the last thing you want is for the lavish new pavers you bought to cause severe glare when the sun beats down upon them!

On the other hand, a dark paver isn’t the solution in this scenario, either. Dark pavers, like any dark object, absorb heat, making the surface of your sun-exposed garden path or pool area super hot on warmer days. Ouch!

High or low maintenance?

How much time do you have up your sleeve to maintain a superb looking patio or pathway? If you’re short on time (like most working people), natural stone paving is always a winner in my books, as it doesn’t require much cleaning, tidying or general fuss.

Gravel on the other hand needs to be maintained regularly, and is a better option for people with the freedom to spend time in their garden regularly.

Weather is the deciding factor

Did you know limestone and sandstone are brilliant options for properties located in hot and dry regions? This is because they can actually help to reduce the heat of your outdoor area. Amazing, huh?

Live in a rainy climate? You’ll definitely need to choose your pavers wisely, because paved areas inflicted with excessive wet weather require careful selection. In this case, durability and water resistance is key!

Buying new pavers for your property is a big responsibility – but once you’ve spoken to a paving professional and selected the right pavers for your exciting new project, you can breathe a sigh of relief that the ‘boring’ part is done!

And now, onto the bricklaying… Good luck, friends!