Paving lasts when the base under it is right, because the road base and sand bed decide whether the surface stays level. This page covers base depth, sand bedding, falls, edges and the council approvals for driveways.
Paving often sits inside a wider residential landscaping Perth project. Where paving meets a slope or a wall, design the wall first, as set out on our retaining walls Perth page.
Paver types
Paving and paths are part of what we do. The Nuway guide we checked is written for concrete and clay pavers, so its base and sand method applies to those. Call us to talk through the paver and pattern for your job.
Base depth and compaction
The Nuway guide says driveways need 100 to 150 mm of compacted roadbase, and paths need 100 mm. Airtasker gives 75 to 80 mm for walkways and 100 to 150 mm for driveways, with two or three plate compactor passes in different directions. The Better Homes and Gardens patio guide, written for patios rather than vehicles, gives about 70 mm before compaction.
Where the sources differ, the deeper figure is the cautious choice for a driveway. The Nuway guide recommends at least three passes with a mechanical plate compactor for driveways.
Sand bed, joints and pattern
The Nuway guide puts the sand bed at 30 to 40 mm, screeded level with rails. Airtasker gives 30 mm, and the Better Homes and Gardens guide gives 20 to 30 mm.
Leave a 3 mm gap between pavers, because pavers that touch can chip. The Nuway guide recommends herringbone for driveways for strength. Once the edges are restrained, compact the pavers so they interlock, sweep dry jointing sand over the surface until the joints fill, and lightly spray with a hose.
Falls, edges and damp courses
Paving should slope so rainwater runs off. The Nuway guide gives 15 to 20 mm of fall per metre, and Airtasker gives 15 mm. Where paving meets the house, keep it below the damp proof course, and never bridge a damp proof course or an air vent.
Edges need restraint. The Nuway guide suggests concrete haunching, or pine or hardwood sleepers, with the concrete at least 10 mm below the top of the pavers.
Driveways and council approval
The councils we checked regulate driveway crossovers. The Town of Bassendean requires written permission before a new or modified crossover is constructed, and contributes 50 per cent of the cost of the first standard crossover. The Shire of Northam requires approval before any construction starts, and its subsidy requires completion within six months of approval. The Shire of Capel only contributes to a crossover it has approved, and requires a traffic plan where works affect a public road.
Specifications also vary. The Shire of Capel’s urban standard uses a 200 mm gravel or limestone pavement under 30 mm of asphalt, not paving. Check with your own council whether it accepts a paved crossover, and to which specification, before you choose a paved driveway.
Suburbs we serve
Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Mundaring, Midland, Guildford, Bassendean and across the Perth metro area.
Where we work: landscaping Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, Midland, Mundaring and Claremont and the western suburbs.
Read more: paving cost and base prep on Perth sand.
Get a free quote
We provide a free comprehensive quote for paving and paths. Call us on 0429 922 446, or get a free quote online. Once the paving is down, our garden maintenance Perth service keeps the surrounding garden tidy.
Frequently asked questions
How much does paving cost per m2 in Perth?
The price depends on area, base depth, paver type and access. Every job is quoted on site; call us and we will give you a price for your block.
Brick vs concrete vs limestone pavers: which is best?
The base and sand bed follow the same method for pavers in general, as the Nuway guide describes. Which paver suits you depends on the look you want, the traffic it will carry and your budget, so call us and we will talk through the options for your site.
Do you lay paving on sand?
The standard method for pavers is a compacted road base with a sand bedding layer, which this page describes. Paving and paths are part of our service, and we quote each job on site.
How deep should a driveway base be?
The Nuway guide recommends 100 to 150 mm of compacted roadbase for driveways, and Airtasker gives the same range. On soft or sandy ground the deeper figure is the cautious choice, and the base should be firm before the sand goes down.
Do I need council approval for a driveway crossover?
Usually yes, and the councils we checked require it before work starts. The Town of Bassendean requires written permission before a crossover is constructed or modified, and the Shire of Northam requires approval before any construction starts. Councils set their own specifications, so check yours before you choose a paved finish.