Clay Brick Pavers: Design, Inspiration, and Product Details

Clay Pavers which are a variety of brick pavers have long been a preferred choice for landscape gardeners, architects, designers, and builders, due to their beauty, versatility and strength. These stylish pavers are crafted from clay, created using a kiln, and are sourced from Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany. Brick pavers are one of the most common paving materials within the UK and Europe, cherished due to their rich long-lasting colour, durability, stain resistant properties and minimal maintenance requirements.

London Stone acquired Chelmer Valley, a market leader in British clay paving supply, in the autumn of 2020. Although London Stone were already working with Chelmer as a supply partner, the acquisition allowed us to greatly expand our range of clay paving products.

Clay pavers can be used for both residential and commercial purposes, having a wide range of uses. Some of the more common applications include:

Patios – clay bricks add serenity and movement to terraces and can be combined with other paving types to provide a stunning finish. Clay pavers pair especially well with porcelain paving with the 2 materials both contrasting and complementing each other.

Driveways – clay paving is an excellent choice of paving for use on a driveway, providing kerb appeal and a robust base for your vehicles.

Pathways and Borders – due to their convenient brick sizing, clay pavers are a versatile paving material that lends itself beautifully to being used in paths.

Steps and Entranceways – using clay paving bricks in your front garden can provide a timeless, beautiful welcome to homeowners and guests alike.

Differences Between the Ranges

Our brick pavers are categorised into four distinctive collections, each with its own characteristics and technical properties:

Alpha Collection

The Alpha Collection is renowned for its wide range of colours and durability. These pavers are ideal for high-traffic areas due to their high compressive strength and resistance to wear and tear. Available across a wide colour palette, from the striking terracotta red of Seville, to the graphite-modernity of Silver Grey Multi, and the adaptable buff tones of Westminster, the Alpha Collection ensures your outdoor space remains beautiful and functional over time. The Alpha Collection is our narrowest clay paver, with a width of 48mm, lending these bricks to modern garden designs, although they can look equally at home in more traditional designs.

Cottage Garden

The Cottage Garden collection is perfect if seeking rustic charm for your outdoor paving. These pavers mimic the traditional look of aged bricks, providing a timeless aesthetic that blends seamlessly into natural landscapes. Their weathered appearance adds character to garden paths, patios, and driveways. Old English Clay Pavers provide garden designs with an aged look, perfect for period properties, while our London Mixture clay pavers bear a striking resemblance to London Stock Bricks, making them the perfect paver for many garden designs.

Cottage Garden products can also be used in vertical applications, by way of Facing Bricks. Use these bricks to clad raised flower beds, create risers for steps, or to create stand-out features and walls.

Kessel Garden

Crafted by renowned European paving manufacturer, Vandersanden, the Kessel Garden collection offers an array of colours and textures, making them suitable for a variety of design applications. Vandersanden is known for its commitment to quality and innovation, ensuring that these pavers meet the highest standards in both aesthetics and performance.

With a tumbled edge, and a width of 50mm, these pavers offer the perfect balance between the modern and traditional. Gromo Antica clays contain hues of buff and grey, and work perfectly in numerous garden designs. Renowned garden designer, horticulturist, and BBC television presenter, Joe Swift, has laid Gromo Antica in his Dorset country garden. Other product highlights in the Kessel range include the striking grey colours of Lucca, and the burgundy-warmth of Bolzano.

Artisan

Manufactured to exacting standards in Germany, our Artisan Collection of clay pavers features bricks that are significantly longer than the others in our ranges. Each brick is 292mm in length, lending these bricks to be used in designs that add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to any outdoor setting. Each paver is meticulously crafted to ensure a high-quality finish, making them perfect for creating intricate patterns and designs that stand out.

Bromley Clay Pavers offer reds, browns, and rust-coloured tones that will lift any path or patio, while Chelsea bricks give us browns, blues, and greys, and are especially at home when used with lighter paving, to create a contrast.

With so many different bricks to choose from, we have created this handy guide which will help you to compare the different clay pavers within our range:

Clay Pavers – A Brief History, Technical Properties, Maintenance, & Sustainability

Clay paving has been used throughout Britain and Europe for hundreds of years, originally (and still) used as municipal paving. The adaptability, beauty, and performance of clay bricks has led to their now common use within domestic gardens throughout the UK.

Clay Pavers possess several key properties which set them apart from other paving types. Clay bricks are manufactured to have a high compressive strength, low water absorption, and are frost and chemical resistant.

Clay Pavers are also a low-maintenance paving material. Like any outdoor paving type, they will however, require a level of care to keep them tip top. We have compiled this handy webpage for all aspects of clay paving maintenance, from cleaning stains, joint care, and efflorescence.

Clay Paving is made from 100% natural ingredients (the main components being clay, sand, and water), and is created in a ‘closed loop’ system, allowing for no water to be wasted. The life span of clay paving is extremely long, giving this product good sustainable values. There are some areas in The Netherlands that have had clay paving installed over 150 years ago and are still in use.

One of the standout benefits of using clay pavers for your patio or driveway though is their enduring colour. Unlike concrete, clay retains its rich, vibrant hue over time, resisting fading even when exposed to harsh sunlight. This lasting colour ensures that your paving will continue to look as fresh and vibrant as the day it was laid. This makes clay pavers a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing option for homeowners looking for both durability and beauty in their outdoor spaces.

Laying Patterns & Installation

The beauty of brick pavers is enhanced by the patterns in which they are laid. Bear in mind that many of our clay pavers can be laid flat or on their side, depending on your design preference. Laying bricks on their thinner edge will provide a more modern look, whereas laying bricks with their widest face showing will give you a more rustic feel.

Popular laying patterns include:

Herringbone: A classical pattern, which can be laid on a 45-degree or 90 degree angle, often used to complement styles of internal tiles or wooden flooring, this pattern provides excellent interlock and is ideal for high-traffic areas.

Basketweave: Using blocks of four bricks, and then laying another block of four pavers at the opposite angle, creating an interwoven appearance. This laying pattern offers a classic, decorative look.

Running/Stretcher Bond: A classic ‘brick bond’ pattern, this simple-yet-effective layout that creates a seamless appearance and can help delineate areas of a garden.

Circles: Clay pavers are an adaptable material that is often used to create circles, giving a design a unique, timeless feel.

Clay Pavers Installation & SUDS Compliance

As with any paving material, to get the most from the product, adequate installation is key. While we have produced a comprehensive video guide on how to install clay pavers, here are some key hints and tips to help you along the way:

Preparation: Excavate your subgrade depending on your application (i.e. a patio or driveway) and lay a solid base using well graded Type-1 stone material. Unlike natural stone or porcelain paving, clays pavers do not need to be installed on a sand and cement mortar base and are best ‘dry laid’.

Edging: Ensure that the edge course is held in place by a haunch made up of a lean mortar mix. This prevents the paving from lateral movement.

Laying the Pavers: Ensure that you unpack a suitable number of bricks to ensure that colour variation is spread equally, when laying. Arrange the pavers as per your chosen laying pattern, and ensure they are level, within the recommended fall rates of 1:80 – 1:60.

Compaction & Joint Filling: Compact the laid clay pavers using a vibrating plate compactor with a rubber mat attachment, and then fill the joints with 2-4mm grade sand until the clay pavers are unable to move. Brush a final layer of fine sand (0-2mm) over the area.

If you are laying a driveway, it may have to be permeable, and/or SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) compliant. A highly technical area of designing and installing a driveway, we’ve broken down SuDS information and regulations so that you can make an informed decision about your driveway material. London Stone recommends speaking to a professional SuDS expert before installing any driveway materials, should you have any concerns about whether your application needs to be SuDS compliant.

For detailed guidance, refer to our comprehensive installation guide or consult with a professional landscaper.

Clay Paving Use at RHS Shows

Our clay paving products have been featured at numerous, prestigious RHS Flower Shows, demonstrating their adaptability and appeal in high-profile garden designs. These shows highlight the potential of our pavers to transform outdoor spaces into stunning landscapes and are often used by designers due to the beauty and versatility of the brick pavers.

As clay pavers are not installed on a sand and cement base, they have good sustainability credentials for show gardens, as they can be re-used after the show. After the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Dorset Antique Clay Pavers and Britannia Buff Yorkstone from Martyn Wilson’s silver-gilt-medal-winning garden were relocated to the RSPCA Stapeley Grange animal centre.

Clay Paving FAQ’s

What are the main differences between clay pavers and concrete pavers?

Clay pavers are made from natural materials, offering superior colour retention and durability compared to concrete pavers, which can fade and crack over time.

Can brick pavers be used for driveways?

Yes, brick pavers, especially those from the Alpha and Kessel Garden Collections, are suitable for driveways due to their high compressive strength and durability.

How do I maintain my brick paver patio?

Maintenance is minimal. Regular sweeping and occasional washing with water and mild detergent will keep them looking good. Stains are held on top of the bricks, and do not require specialised cleaners to remove.

Are clay pavers environmentally friendly?

Clay pavers are made from natural, sustainable materials and have a lower environmental impact compared to many other paving types.

Can I install brick pavers myself?

While it is possible to install brick pavers yourself, for the best results, especially for larger projects, it is recommended to hire a professional landscaper.

Can I combine different types of clay pavers?

Absolutely! Combining clay pavers has long been a favourite technique of garden designers and landscapers, who often combine different colours to give a stunning finish. It is important to note that it is imperative to only combine materials from the same range (i.e. that have the same dimensions), for the best results.

How much colour variation is there in clay pavers, and can I see the products in person?

Each different type of brick contains a different level of colour variation. Brick pavers like Amersham and Westminster are more colour-consistent, whereas clay pavers such as Bergamo and Cotswold, present more variation in colour.

The most effective way of choosing paving materials is to view colours and textures for yourself, so we encourage all our customers to view our materials in person at one of our inspirational showrooms, located nationwide. Should you be unable to visit a showroom, we have extensive image galleries online for every product in our range, and we also offer a free sample service, where we can post samples to your address.

What is the best way to contact London Stone?

Should you have any queries about our products or services, we are ready to help. The best way to contact us is via our WhatsApp chat service, where you can ask different departments questions (and receive the answers!) quickly.

You can also contact us via phone, email, or in person.

How do I order clay pavers, and how long will I need to wait?

You can order clay paving online, 24/7, over the phone, via email, or in person at one of our showrooms or trade counter. London Stone offer free nationwide delivery on orders over £750 + VAT, with next day delivery often available at no extra cost. We hold good stock levels of our products across our depots, but do occasionally go out of stock at our busiest times. Our website shows live stock levels, so you can place your order in a timely manner, to not delay your project.