Timeless Outdoor Elegance: Grey and Blue Clay Pavers

Grey and blue clay pavers are a ubiquitous choice for those looking to create sophisticated, modern, and timeless outdoor spaces. Whether you're planning a sleek grey brick entranceway or looking to add a touch of elegance with blue brick paving, these versatile pavers offer a range of aesthetic and functional benefits. From grey clay block paving bricks that provide a neutral foundation, to blues, charcoals, and even hints of black that add a pop of colour, this group of products is perfect for various landscaping projects, including patios, walkways, and garden borders.

Grey paving works particularly well when paired with the contrasting colours of a red-brick property, demonstrated here in this gorgeous modern-meets-traditional garden, designed by Flower and Stone. Combining different textures and grey tones within the paving materials (Moderna clay pavers and Kandla Grey porcelain), not only adds interest, but helps you move through different areas within the garden.

A Garden Designer’s Perspective

We feel that there’s no better endorsement of grey patio bricks than when a multi-award-winning garden designer uses them in a successful project. Adam Vetere created an intriguing, multi-textured ‘Artist’s Garden’ with light charcoal-grey Amersham clay pavers.

Adam said of the material, “Amersham clay pavers were used alongside Urban Grey porcelain for a terrace and steps to great effect. The client was thrilled, and the products were of an extremely high quality. The contrast of colour, size, form and texture really enhanced the design and took the garden to another level."

This intriguing garden won Adam a coveted ‘Best in Category’ at the 2022 APL Awards.

The Appeal of Grey Brick Paving

Grey brick paving is a universally popular choice for both contemporary and more traditional designs. The neutral tones of grey clay paving bricks allow them to blend seamlessly with various architectural styles, making them incredibly versatile. These pavers are perfect for creating a clean, minimalistic space that exudes sophistication. Whether used in a grey brick driveway or as grey edging bricks for garden borders, their understated elegance enhances the overall aesthetic of any outdoor space.

Versatility of Grey Clay Paving Bricks

Grey clay paving bricks are known for their versatility. They come in various shades, from light stone-grey to deep charcoal, allowing for creative design possibilities. These bricks can be used to create uniform surfaces or intricate patterns, making them ideal for both large-scale projects and smaller, more detailed work. The durability of grey bricks for driveways ensures that they can withstand heavy traffic while maintaining their sleek appearance.

Blue-Grey Brick Paving: Adding a Touch of Elegance

Blue-grey brick paving offers a unique and elegant tone which can create a striking contrast to porcelain paving and natural elements like greenery and stone. These pavers are perfect for creating focal points in your outdoor space, such as a central patio or a decorative pathway. Blue brick paving is also ideal for adding a touch of personality to contemporary designs, offering a fresh look, demonstrated in this gorgeous modern Cheshire garden by Blue Tulip Garden Design and Crafted Landscapes.

Gardens Of the Future designed and built a a fabulous garden makeover, where they interlinked the pale grey-brown tones of Gromo Antica with the rich hues of Lugano. The project is a great example of how effective it can be to combine more than one type of clay paver.

Grey Clays at the World’s Most Prestigious Shows

These materials are synonymous with quality and smart aesthetics. So, it’s no surprise that garden designers and landscapers choose to use them across the RHS’s annual flower shows and garden festivals.

Recent highlights include Lottie Delamain using our Charcoal Grey Clay Pavers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2022. Built by Gardenlink, the garden highlighted the link between plants and fashion, whilst emphasising the key role that plants play in creating sustainable fashion. The garden won an impressive Silver Gilt Medal.

2023’s RHS Chelsea gave London Stone the unique opportunity to work with US-based James Doyle Design Associates. We supplied paving materials to his 5*-winning trade stand for sculptor David Harber. Alongside our long-time client and celebrated landscaper Langdale Landscapes, we were able to work with the talented teams involved to create a show-stopping modern garden. By featuring greys, charcoals, and hints of black within the paving materials, the hard-landscaping elements of the trade stand, which included Lucca clay pavers, made the stunning planting and beautiful outdoor sculptures the focal points of the design.

Durability and Longevity

One of the key advantages of clay pavers is their exceptional durability. In 2020, London Stone acquired Chelmer Valley, who import the finest clay paving from Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. Made from high-quality clay and fired at high temperatures, these pavers are highly resistant to wear and tear, ensuring they retain their colour and structural integrity for years. As we explain in our comparison of concrete block paving and clay pavers, pavers maintain their colour and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them a reliable choice for any outdoor space.

Environmental Benefits

What makes clay pavers an environmentally friendly choice for your outdoor spaces? They are made from natural materials (clay, sand, and water) and due to how they are laid (on a ‘dry’ bed, as opposed to the sand and cement base that is used for natural stone or porcelain paving), can be repurposed at the end of their life. Additionally, the production process for clay pavers is energy-efficient, using a mix of recyclable raw materials and resource-saving manufacturing processes and transportation (which is mostly via boat, rather than road-based methods). This results in clay pavers having a lower carbon footprint than some other paving materials.

Installation Guide for Grey and Blue Clay Pavers

Installing clay pavers should be a straightforward process, but it still requires careful planning and attention to detail to ensure a long-lasting, professional finish. We’ve teamed up with Mark Youde of The Landscape Academy, to show you how to install clay pavers.

Here’s a brief guide to help you get started:

• Preparation: Excavate your subgrade to the correct depth for your application (i.e. a patio or driveway) and lay a solid base using well graded Type-1 stone material. Unlike natural stone and 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 lateral movement in the paving.

• 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 and 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. This is a highly technical area of designing and installing a driveway. Read our break-down of 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 more detailed guidance, refer to our comprehensive Clay Paving Installation Guide. 

Clay Paving FAQs

How long do clay pavers last?

Clay pavers are known for their longevity and can last for decades, even in high-traffic areas. With proper installation and maintenance, they can remain in excellent condition for over 125 years.

Are clay pavers suitable for driveways?

Yes, clay pavers are an excellent choice for driveways due to their strength and durability. They can withstand the weight of vehicles without cracking or breaking and are resistant to wear and tear. Discover clay pavers suitable for driveways.

Do clay pavers fade over time?

Unlike concrete block paving, clay pavers retain their colour over time. The natural pigments in the clay are baked into the material during the manufacturing process, ensuring long-lasting vibrancy and a lasting finish.

How do I maintain clay pavers?

Clay pavers require minimal maintenance. Regular sweeping and occasional washing with water are usually sufficient to keep them looking their best. You may also want to reapply jointing sand every few years to maintain their appearance and integrity.

What laying pattern should I choose?

A key feature of clay paving is that the bricks are smaller in dimension than the larger paving slabs you see with porcelain and natural stone, giving you more laying patterns to choose from. Learn more about choosing the right laying pattern for your design.

Can clay pavers be used in cold climates?

Yes, clay pavers are frost-resistant and can be used in areas that experience freezing temperatures. They are less likely to crack due to frost than some other types of pavers, making them a reliable choice for colder climates.

Can I view grey and blue clay pavers in person?

Absolutely. We have showrooms located nationwide, where you can view our materials in situ, speak with members of our friendly, experienced sales team, and enjoy complimentary refreshments while you browse. You’ll never receive a ‘hard sell’ attitude from us. Here’s the clay paving display at our Bristol showroom, to give you an idea of what to expect.

Can I install clay pavers myself?

It is possible to install clay pavers yourself if you have some DIY experience. However, read why we recommend hiring a landscaping professional to ensure a perfect finish, especially for large or complex projects.

How do I contact London Stone, and why should I buy from you?

There are several ways to contact us, including over WhatsApp, phone, email, or in person across our showrooms and trade counters.

London Stone offer FREE nationwide delivery on orders £750 + VAT and over (often with ‘next day’ delivery available), along with hassle-free returns, should you change your mind.