Paving laid by
45° and 90° Herringbone · Clay Pavers
Prime Paving Canberra lays clay paver driveways across Canberra, in 45° or 90° herringbone. If you're replacing an old concrete driveway or paving one for a new home, we handle it from the dig and the base through to the last paver.
Our clay driveway pavers are dry laid over compacted road base and bedding sand, using 45° or 90° herringbone patterns with secure edge restraints to help keep the paving in place under vehicle traffic.
The person who measures your driveway is the person who lays it. You'll deal directly with the person completing the work, from the initial measure through to the finishing touches.
Why Clay Pavers
Clay pavers are a practical and attractive choice for residential driveways. Available in various colours, sizes and finishes, they can complement traditional brick homes, contemporary properties and existing outdoor paving.
Unlike a poured concrete driveway, a clay paver driveway is made from individual paving units laid over a prepared base. This provides several benefits for homeowners.
01The colour and pattern of your driveway can make a noticeable difference to the entrance of your property.
We source clay pavers from Canberra suppliers, offering a range of colours and sizes to suit different homes. Whether you prefer a warm, traditional brick finish or a more contemporary appearance, we can discuss suitable options when planning your driveway.
02One advantage of a paved driveway is that individual pavers can be lifted and relaid.
If a section becomes uneven or sinks, the affected pavers can often be removed so the underlying base can be repaired. Suitable existing pavers can then be relaid without replacing the entire driveway.
03Our clay driveway paving method uses compacted road base and bedding sand rather than a continuous concrete slab.
When correctly designed and installed, this creates an interlocking paving surface suited to regular residential vehicle use. The appropriate pavers and base construction depend on ground conditions and expected traffic.
04Clay pavers are a durable paving material that can provide many years of service.
The lifespan of a paved driveway depends on the quality of its installation, ground preparation, drainage, vehicle loads and maintenance. A suitable foundation and properly restrained edges are particularly important for keeping the paving stable over time.
Our Installation Process
A quality driveway starts beneath the pavers. The excavation, road base, bedding layer and edge restraints all contribute to how the finished surface performs.
Prime Paving Canberra handles the driveway paving process from initial preparation through to the completed surface.
We begin by measuring the driveway and assessing the existing surface.
This helps determine the area to be paved, the amount of excavation required and any practical considerations such as site access, surrounding surfaces and ground levels.
If the driveway is being replaced, we also assess what needs to be removed before the new paving can begin.
We excavate the area and remove the existing concrete, pavers or turf where required.
The excavation depth depends on the proposed driveway construction and existing site conditions. Removing the old surface and disposing of the material is accounted for when preparing your quote.
Crushed rock road base is laid and compacted to create a firm foundation for the driveway.
Compaction is carried out in layers to help provide a consistent base beneath the paving. The required road base depth depends on ground conditions, expected vehicle loads and applicable construction requirements.
Careful base preparation helps reduce the risk of uneven settlement and movement in the completed driveway.
A layer of suitable bedding sand is spread over the compacted road base and screeded to create an even surface for laying the pavers.
The bedding layer is prepared to the requirements of the selected paving system, helping maintain consistent levels across the driveway.
The clay pavers are laid in the chosen 45° or 90° herringbone pattern.
Pavers are cut where necessary to fit the driveway edges, corners and surrounding surfaces. A border course is installed to provide a defined finish around the paved area.
Edge restraints help hold the paving in position and reduce sideways movement under vehicle traffic.
Our driveway paving method includes a border course supported by mortar haunching along the outer edges. Jointing sand is then worked into the spaces between the pavers, with the final joint treatment completed according to the product requirements.
Driveway Patterns
The laying pattern affects both the appearance and performance of a paved driveway.
For clay driveway installations, we use 45° and 90° herringbone patterns. These arrangements create an interlocking layout that is well suited to areas where vehicles drive, turn and brake.
A 45° herringbone pattern positions the pavers diagonally to the driveway edges, creating a repeating zigzag appearance.
This pattern can provide a distinctive finish for wide driveways and larger paved areas. Pavers along the boundaries are cut to fit neatly against the border course.
90° Herringbone
45° HerringboneDrag the handle to compare the two patterns on the same driveway
A 90° herringbone pattern positions the pavers parallel and perpendicular to the driveway edges.
The resulting pattern has a stepped appearance across the surface and provides the interlocking arrangement required for driveway paving.
Both patterns can be suitable for residential driveways.
The best choice depends on the shape and dimensions of the area, your preferred appearance and how the new paving will sit alongside existing paths, landscaping and other paved surfaces.
We can discuss your options when measuring the driveway.
Ask About Driveway Paving PatternsEdges and Foundations
A paved driveway needs a properly prepared foundation and secure edges to perform well under regular vehicle traffic.
Several parts of the installation work together to help prevent the pavers from shifting or separating.
The road base provides a stable foundation beneath the paving.
Proper preparation and compaction help distribute vehicle loads and reduce the risk of movement caused by an uneven foundation.
A border row, also known as a header course, is installed around the driveway to contain the herringbone paving pattern.
We use mortar haunching along the outer edges of the border course to help secure the edge pavers and resist sideways movement.
Jointing sand fills the narrow gaps between pavers and contributes to the stability of the interlocking surface.
Our driveway paving method uses polymeric jointing sand, which contains a binding agent designed to help stabilise joints when installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Driveway levels and drainage are important considerations when planning a paved surface.
The finished paving needs to account for the surrounding ground, garage entrance, adjoining paths and how surface water moves across the property.
Where existing levels or drainage present potential issues, these should be considered when determining the proposed driveway works.
Your Driveway Quote
The cost of driveway paving in Canberra depends on the size of the area, the existing surface, the clay pavers selected and the preparation required before installation.
Rather than applying a single square-metre price to every project, Prime Paving Canberra measures each driveway and prepares a quote based on the proposed work.
The total area being paved affects the quantity of materials and labour required.
A straight driveway serving a single garage will generally involve different work from a larger driveway with additional parking areas, curves or detailed borders.
If an old concrete driveway, brick paving or turf needs to be removed, the excavation and disposal work will affect the quote.
The condition and thickness of the existing surface can also influence the preparation required.
Different clay pavers vary in size, colour, finish and material cost.
Your preferred paver will affect the overall price, along with the quantity needed for the driveway.
Curves, corners, detailed borders and irregular driveway shapes can require more cutting and installation work.
The chosen herringbone pattern and driveway layout are considered when calculating materials and labour.
Site access can affect the equipment and methods used during excavation, material delivery and installation.
Restricted access may require materials to be moved manually, increasing the labour involved.
The existing ground conditions determine how much preparation is required before paving.
Additional excavation, road base or other necessary site preparation may increase the cost.
Tell us approximately how large your driveway is, what surface is currently there and where your property is located.
We'll arrange to measure the area and prepare a quote based on the work required.
Driveway Replacement
If your driveway is cracked, uneven, worn or no longer suits your home, replacing the surface with clay pavers may be a practical option.
Prime Paving Canberra can remove existing concrete, old paving or turf and prepare the area for a new clay paver driveway.
Before: Old Concrete DrivewayThe old concrete slab is removed and replaced with a new clay paver driveway.
Before: Older Paved DrivewayOlder paved driveways can become uneven due to settlement, movement or deterioration of the underlying base.
Driveway Extensions
Need room for a second car, a trailer or an easier turn into the garage? We can extend or widen your existing driveway with clay pavers, built on the same base as a new driveway.
Widening a driveway, or changing the crossover (the section on Territory land between your boundary and the road), usually needs ACT approval. The approval section below explains when.
Canberra Driveway Rules
Driveway work in the ACT may require approval, particularly when creating a new driveway or changing an existing driveway's dimensions, location, layout or surface material.
The section between your property boundary and the road is located on Territory-owned land. ACT City Services oversees the requirements for this public driveway crossing.
Driveways must comply with relevant ACT requirements, including MIS 07 Driveways.
Approval is generally required when:
Replacing an existing driveway without changing its dimensions or layout may involve different requirements depending on the surface and the work proposed.
For example, replacing concrete with clay pavers can count as a change in surface type.
Before beginning driveway paving work, check whether your project requires approval, particularly where the work affects the public driveway crossing.
The ACT City Services website provides the relevant design requirements and application information.
Read the ACT Driveway RequirementsDriveway Questions
The cost depends on the driveway size, existing surface, paver selection, ground preparation and site access. Removing old concrete or completing additional excavation can increase the work required. Prime Paving Canberra measures each driveway before preparing a quote.
Both paving and concrete can provide durable driveway surfaces when correctly installed. Clay pavers offer a choice of colours and patterns, and individual pavers can often be lifted for repairs. The better option depends on your property, preferred appearance, budget and maintenance considerations.
Herringbone, laid at 45° or 90°. It gives the pavers the most interlock, so it holds up where cars drive in and turn. Stretcher bond, straight rows laid like brickwork, is less suited to a driveway unless the paving is designed for car weight.
Often, yes. Affected pavers can be lifted so the underlying cause of the settlement can be assessed and repaired. Suitable existing pavers can then be relaid. More substantial ground problems may require additional preparation.
Yes. Clay pavers can be suitable for residential driveways when the paver type, laying pattern and base construction are appropriate for the expected vehicle traffic. We install clay driveway pavers using 45° and 90° herringbone patterns.
Yes. We can remove an existing concrete driveway, prepare the ground and install a new clay paver surface. The preparation required depends on the existing driveway, ground conditions and proposed paving layout.
A clay paver driveway built on a base prepared to the Australian standard should last 20 to 30 years. That base is at least 100 mm of road base and about 50 mm of bedding sand, compacted in layers no thicker than 75 mm. Single pavers can be lifted and relaid if one is damaged.
Approval may be required if you're changing the driveway's dimensions, layout, location or surface material. ACT City Services manages requirements for driveway crossings on Territory-owned land. Check the official guidance before work starts.
Have a Driveway Paving Question?
Ask Your Question on the Contact PageBeyond the Driveway
Once the driveway is done, the same clay pavers or a contrasting paver can carry through the rest of the property.
Every one of these jobs is measured first, by the person who lays it.
Driveway Quotes
Whether you're installing a new driveway, replacing an ageing concrete surface or choosing clay pavers for your home, Prime Paving Canberra can help with the paving work.
We service Canberra and surrounding areas, including Yass, Goulburn, Braidwood and Cooma.
Tell us roughly how large your driveway is, what surface is there now and where your property is located. We'll arrange to measure the area and prepare a quote based on the proposed work.
Questions About Your Driveway? Call (02) 6189 4970
