Paving Bricks: Types, Sizes and Prices per m²

Paving bricks, or pavers, cover driveways, paths, patios, pool surrounds and parking areas across South Africa. Most are concrete pavers made at a yard, some are fired clay paving bricks, and the common size is 200 x 100 mm in 50, 60 or 80 mm thickness. The right paver depends on what drives or walks on it, the look you want and how the base is built. This page covers the types, how many per square metre, laying and what brick paving costs. Send one free, no-obligation request and yards near you quote you directly.

Types of paving bricks

Rectangular concrete pavers: 200 x 100 mm, plain or with a bevel on the top edge, in grey and a range of colours.
Interlocking pavers: a wavy or dog-bone shape that locks against its neighbours. See interlocking bricks.
Clay paving bricks: fired in a kiln, so the colour goes right through and lasts.
Cobbles and slabs: squares and larger slabs for patios and garden paths.

Concrete paving blocks are covered by SANS 1058; ask the yard which class its pavers are made to.

Paving bricks per square metre and thickness

A 200 x 100 mm paver works out at about 50 per m², plus about 5% for cuts at the edges and around drains. Thickness follows the load:

50 mm: garden paths and patios with foot traffic only.
60 mm: most home driveways with cars.
80 mm: heavy vehicles, bakkies with trailers, delivery trucks and parking areas.

A bevel hides small level differences and sheds water; a sharp edge gives a flatter, more formal look. Order all the colours at once, as batches can differ in shade.

Laying brick paving properly

Most paving failures start underneath. The usual build-up is a compacted base, about 20 to 30 mm of bedding sand, the pavers laid in a pattern, firm edge restraints, then joint sand swept in and vibrated with a plate compactor. Herringbone is the strongest pattern for a driveway because it spreads turning loads. Give the surface a fall away from the house. Common mistakes are too thin a base, no edge restraint so the outer rows creep, and bedding sand used to fill dips. A paving contractor brings the compactor and levels; you can order building sand separately.

Paving bricks cost and what to ask

Standard 60 mm concrete pavers usually cost about R140 to R220 per m² for the pavers alone, roughly R2.85 to R4.20 each, or about R3,500 to R4,100 per 1,000 from a yard. Supplied and laid paving typically runs about R300 to R800 per m², with the base work making the biggest difference. Ask:

the price per m² and how many m² a pallet covers;
the thickness, colour and SANS 1058 class;
the delivery and offloading charge;
whether a laid price includes digging out, base, edging and removing rubble.

What to include in your request

Give the area in square metres
Say driveway, path, patio or parking
Choose 50, 60 or 80 mm thickness
Say the colour and shape you want
Say if you also want it laid

Paving Bricks for different clients

Homeowners: a paved driveway, a path to the front door or a patio by the braai
Builders and bricklaying contractors: pavers ordered for driveways and walkways at the end of a house build
Housing developers and complexes: matching pavers for the roads, parking and walkways of an estate or complex
Brickyards and block yards: a block yard adding pavers to its range to sell alongside bricks
New brick-making businesses: a small team making grey pavers on a table mould for local driveways
Farms and smallholdings: pavers for a farmhouse yard, a wash bay or the floor of a shed
Municipalities, schools and public works: paved walkways, taxi ranks, school grounds and clinic parking areas
Landscapers and paving teams: patios, pool surrounds and garden paths laid in patterns with matching edging

Frequently asked questions

How much do paving bricks cost per square metre?

Standard 60 mm concrete pavers usually come to about R140 to R220 per m² for the material, or roughly R2.85 to R4.20 a paver. Coloured, clay and thicker pavers cost more. If you want it supplied and laid, most home paving runs about R300 to R800 per m², depending on the base work.

How many paving bricks do I need per square metre?

With standard 200 x 100 mm pavers you need about 50 per m². Add about 5% for cuts at the edges, around drains and along curves. Other shapes differ, so ask the yard for the number per m² and how much one pallet covers.

What thickness of pavers do I need for a driveway?

For cars on a home driveway, 60 mm pavers on a well compacted base are the usual choice. If trucks, trailers or heavy bakkies will use it, go to 80 mm and a stronger base. Paths and patios with foot traffic only can use 50 mm. The base matters as much as the paver.

Can I lay brick paving myself?

A small patio or path is a fair DIY job if you hire a plate compactor, dig out properly and set firm edges. A driveway is harder: the base must be thick and well compacted and the falls must be right. Many people buy the pavers and pay a paving team for the base and the laying.

The bricks under your driveway, paths and patio

Types of paving bricks

Paving bricks per square metre and thickness

Laying brick paving properly

Paving bricks cost and what to ask

What to include in your request

Paving Bricks for different clients

Frequently asked questions

Paving Bricks by province and city

More bricks, machines and services

Bricks & blocks

Machines & equipment

Supplies & services

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