Paving
Paving that stays flat is mostly invisible work. What you see is the surface; what determines whether it is still level in five years is the base underneath it, the falls set before anything is laid, and how the edges are restrained. Across the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle we deal with sandy coastal ground and reactive clay in different pockets, and the preparation changes accordingly.
Paving that lasts starts underground. We prepare and compact the base properly before anything is laid, then set pavers or natural stone level and sloped for drainage, so the finished surface holds up through Central Coast weather and seasonal ground movement.
- Natural stone, travertine and premium paver options
- Proper base preparation and compaction
- Correct grading for drainage
- Precision installation and grouting
Base preparation is the job
A paved surface is only as stable as what it sits on. We excavate to the depth the finished level and the intended use require, then build and compact a base in layers rather than in one lift. A driveway carrying vehicle loads needs more depth and more compaction than a courtyard that only takes foot traffic. Skipping this is why paving settles into dips and why joints open up.
Falls, drainage and where the water goes
Every paved area needs somewhere for water to go, and that has to be decided before laying starts. We set falls away from buildings and toward a drain, garden or existing stormwater point. Where a large area drains to one place we build in a drainage line rather than relying on surface fall alone. Paving that sits flat looks fine on the day and causes problems the first heavy summer downpour.
Materials and how they behave here
Natural stone, travertine, porcelain and concrete pavers all suit different budgets and different areas. Coastal exposure, salt air and full afternoon sun affect how a material ages. Lighter stone stays cooler underfoot, which matters around pools and on north-facing patios. Denser materials resist staining better in entertaining areas. We will tell you where a cheaper material is genuinely fine and where it will cost you later.
Edges, joints and finishing
Pavers move sideways without edge restraint, and once an edge goes the whole field follows. We restrain edges properly, set joints to a consistent width, and fill them with the right jointing product for the material and the exposure. Cuts around drains, pits, corners and curves are where paving either looks considered or looks rushed.
Where we do paving
Across the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.
Paving, answered.
Can you pave over an existing concrete slab?
Often yes, provided the slab is sound, drains correctly and the extra height does not create a problem at doorways or against the house. Overlaying a cracked or badly draining slab just transfers the problem to the new surface, so we assess the slab before recommending it.
What falls do you set for drainage?
It depends on the material and the area, but paving needs a consistent fall away from buildings toward a drainage point. We set it during base preparation rather than trying to correct it with bedding depth, which is what causes uneven surfaces.
How long before we can use a new paved area?
Foot traffic is usually fine within a day or two of jointing, depending on the product used. Driveways carrying vehicles need longer. We tell you the specific timing for your job, since it varies with material and weather.
Do you do driveways as well as patios?
Yes. Driveways need deeper excavation, a heavier compacted base and materials rated for vehicle loads, so they are priced and built differently to a patio or pool surround, but it is the same process done to a higher specification.
Other Services
More ways we can help.
Pool Surrounds
Coping, paving and non-slip finishes engineered around the drainage and chemical exposure of a working pool edge.
Learn moreConcreting
Exposed aggregate, plain and coloured concrete for slabs, paths and driveways built for Central Coast weather.
Learn moreRetaining Walls
Engineered retaining walls that terrace sloped sites and hold ground before erosion becomes a problem.
Learn moreGarden & Landscape Design
Garden beds, paths and planting design that ties the whole property together, fence line to pool edge.
Learn moreFull Service Landscape & Construction
Complete backyard transformations, from first sketch to a finished space your family will actually use.
Learn moreFencing
Quality fencing for privacy, pool safety and property definition.
Learn moreStone Cladding
Premium stone cladding work, one of the areas we're best known for.
Learn moreView All Services
See the full list of what Fibonacci can help with.