About Outdoor Pavers

What distinguishes natural stone outdoor pavers from manufactured alternatives is origin. Each piece is quarried directly from the earth, carrying tonal variation, surface texture and geological depth that formed over millions of years and cannot be replicated.

What are Outdoor Pavers?

Outdoor pavers are natural stone units cut to a consistent gauge and dimension for installation on a prepared exterior sub-base or substrate, typically at 20mm or 30mm to carry the load of regular foot traffic on ground-level surfaces. The heavier gauge gives outdoor paving the structural capacity to sit on a compacted road base or mortar bed without cracking under load.

The surface character of an outdoor paver is determined by the stone type and finish where each stone type performs differently under exposure, and the right choice depends on the conditions of the specific surface.

Outdoor Paver Range & How We Source It

Stone Centre has been supplying outdoor pavers to Australian residential, trade and commercial projects since 1989. Whether you are sourcing outdoor pavers in Sydney, garden pavers in Melbourne or Brisbane, our warehouses carry the current range for in-person viewing, direct collection or delivery to your project site.

Stone Centre's outdoor paver range is ethically sourced across our supply chain, allowing you to choose a natural stone outdoor paving product that is both durable and a responsible long-term choice for residential and commercial projects.

Outdoor Paver Formats & Gauges

Feature (Standard)	Outdoor Pavers
Standard Gauge	20 mm or 30 mm
Common Formats	Regular, French Pattern, Crazy Paving, Cobblestone, Stepping Stone
Stone Types	Travertine, Limestone, Marble, Granite, Bluestone, Sandstone
Sub-base	Compacted road base or mortar bed over a concrete slab
Setting Method	Sand-over-road-base or mortar bed

What Materials are Available in Outdoor Pavers?

Our outdoor paving range covers travertine, limestone, marble, granite and more in multiple finishes and gauge options suited to the full range of exterior paving applications.

Travertine and limestone are sedimentary stones with a warm tonal range and naturally varied surface character.
Marble is a denser metamorphic stone marked by distinctive veining, with no two pieces carrying the same pattern.
Granite and bluestone are igneous stones that are dense, very low in porosity and structurally reliable.
Sandstone carries a layered, grained surface and warm tonal character that varies from piece to piece.

What Finishes are Available in Outdoor Pavers?

Surface finish affects how an outdoor paver reads tonally and how it performs under foot traffic and weather exposure. Stone Centre's outdoor paving range is available in the following finishes.

Finish	What It Means
Honed	Smooth and flat with a matte surface. The stone's natural character is visible. Suited to covered exterior surfaces and outdoor patio pavers on a solid substrate.
Tumbled	Mechanically worn to produce a naturally aged, weathered character. Edges are softened and rounded. Suited to garden pavers and backyard pavers with a relaxed, organic character.
Natural Split	The stone is cleaved along its natural bedding plane rather than cut. The face is irregular and textured. Suited to outdoor stone pavers where a natural, non-uniform surface is the intent.
Sandblasted	Fine abrasive applied under pressure produces an even, lightly textured surface. Tonal character reads clearly through the finish. Suited to outdoor paving in a range of conditions.
Exfoliated / Flamed	High heat causes the stone face to burst open, producing a rough, heavily textured surface. Available on granite outdoor pavers. Suited to high-exposure exterior surfaces.

Why Choose Outdoor Pavers from Stone Centre?

Stone Centre stocks a range of outdoor pavers across Australia. Here is what distinguishes our range:

Multiple Natural Stone Materials - Our outdoor paving range covers multiple materials in different finishes and gauge options suited to the full range of exterior paving applications.

Multiple Outdoor Paving Formats - Outdoor pavers are available in regular cut, French pattern, crazy paving, cobblestone and stepping stone giving genuine format choice across garden pavers, backyard pavers, outdoor patio pavers and driveway applications.

20 mm and 30 mm Gauge - All outdoor stone pavers in our range are cut at 20 mm or 30 mm, the correct gauge for ground-level exterior surfaces carrying regular foot traffic.

Ethically Sourced - Our outdoor paving range is ethically sourced across our supply chain.

Since 1989 - Stone Centre has been supplying outdoor pavers to Australian residential and commercial projects since 1989.

Free Samples - Order a free sample online to assess the tonal range and surface character of your chosen outdoor paver in your actual setting before placing an order.

Where are Outdoor Pavers Used?

Outdoor pavers suit a wide range of exterior surfaces across residential and commercial projects. The heavier gauge and natural stone surface character make outdoor paving practical and durable across different conditions and scales. Natural stone outdoor pavers are specified for backyard surfaces, alfresco areas, pavers for garden paths and garden borders, outdoor patio surfaces, pool surrounds, driveways and courtyard applications across residential and commercial projects in Australia.

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Pavers?

Choosing the right outdoor pavers comes down to matching the physical properties of the stone to the conditions of the surface.

Gauge - For all ground-level exterior surfaces carrying regular foot traffic, the 20 mm or 30 mm outdoor paver gauge is the correct specification. Laying tile-gauge stone (12–15 mm) on an unbound exterior sub-base is the most common cause of surface cracking in natural stone paving installations.
Stone hardness and porosity - Igneous stones such as granite and bluestone are the densest and hardest outdoor stone pavers, carrying the lowest porosity and requiring the least frequent sealing. Sedimentary stones such as travertine, limestone and sandstone are softer and more porous, requiring more consistent sealing attention in exterior paving applications.
Finish for the conditions - Tumbled, natural split and sandblasted finishes carry an inherent textured surface suited to exterior use. Honed outdoor pavers suit covered outdoor patio paver applications on a solid substrate.
Tonal range - Each stone type carries its own tonal character. Tonal appearance shifts under different lighting and weather conditions. Reviewing a sample in the actual outdoor setting is the most reliable way to assess how an outdoor paver will read once installed.
Format - Regular cut pavers suit structured, geometric outdoor paving layouts. Crazy paving and cobblestone suit organic, non-uniform garden paving and backyard paving formats.

How to Seal and Maintain Outdoor Pavers?

All natural stone outdoor pavers carry some degree of porosity and need sealing at regular intervals. How often and which product depends on the stone type, its finish and the conditions the outdoor paving faces.

Sealing - Dip-seal all faces and edges before laying. Once installation is complete, apply a natural stone sealer penetrating to all exposed faces and joints. Reseal every two to three years, adjusted for use and exposure.
Cleaning and Joint Care - Clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner diluted in warm water, applied with a soft mop or brush and rinsed thoroughly. Avoid acid-based products, bleach and ammonia-based cleaners. Inspect grout joints periodically, clear any weed or moss growth and re-point any joints that have cracked or loosened.

FAQs About Outdoor Pavers

What thickness do outdoor pavers need to be?

Natural stone outdoor pavers should be cut at 20 mm or 30 mm for ground-level exterior surfaces carrying regular foot traffic. The 30 mm gauge is the correct specification for outdoor paving under vehicle load, including driveways. Laying 12 mm or 15 mm tile-gauge stone on an unbound exterior sub-base is the most common cause of cracking in natural stone outdoor paving installations. For covered exterior surfaces on a solid concrete substrate, 12 mm or 15 mm tile gauge is appropriate.

Do outdoor pavers need to be sealed?

Yes. All natural stone outdoor pavers are porous to varying degrees and require sealing as dip-sealing all faces and edges before laying protects the stone from bedding mortar staining during installation. Penetrating natural stone sealer is applied after installation. Resealing every two to three years is generally recommended, with more frequent attention for outdoor paving in high-exposure or high-traffic conditions.

Can outdoor pavers be used for garden paths and backyard paving?

Yes. Stone Centre's outdoor pavers cover multiple formats suited to garden pavers and backyard pavers applications.

Does Stone Centre deliver outdoor pavers across Australia?

Stone Centre stocks outdoor pavers across three warehouse locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, each holding the current range for in-person viewing, direct collection or delivery across Australia. Free samples can be ordered online to see the tone and surface character of your chosen outdoor paver in your actual setting.