Good paving looks simple. It sits dead flat, drains away from the house and still looks the same ten years later. That only happens with proper preparation underneath. We excavate, compact and lay a solid crushed-rock or concrete base, set the falls for drainage, then lay your paving with tight, even joints.
Paving we lay
- Porcelain pavers – hard-wearing, low-maintenance and slip-rated for outdoors. Great for entries, paths and pool areas.
- Bluestone and natural stone – sawn bluestone, travertine and sandstone for a classic Melbourne look.
- Crazy paving – random-cut stone laid as a feature patio or path.
- Outdoor tiling on concrete slabs – alfrescos, porches and curved steps finished in stone or porcelain tiles.
- Brick and concrete pavers – driveways, paths and courtyards.
- Stepping stones and exposed aggregate paths – practical, good-looking side paths and garden walks.
How we do it
- Site set-out and levels so water runs away from your house, not towards it.
- Excavation, compacted crushed rock or a reinforced concrete slab, depending on the paver and the load.
- Paving laid on mortar or bedding sand to suit the material, with clean cuts around pits, posts and edges.
- Drainage pits and stormwater connections where they’re needed.
Formwork and reinforcement for the curved alfresco slab in Mornington, before it was tiled. The finished result is shown below.
Recent paving projects
Paving FAQs
What’s the best paver for an outdoor area in Melbourne?
For most homes we recommend 20 mm outdoor porcelain or sawn bluestone. Both are dense, hard-wearing and easy to keep clean. Porcelain stays colour-fast and resists staining; bluestone has that classic Melbourne feel. We can bring samples to the quote.
Can you pave over my existing concrete?
Often, yes, if the slab is sound and the finished height still works with your doors and drainage. We’ll check levels and the condition of the slab before recommending it.
Why is my old paving sinking?
Almost always because the base underneath wasn’t compacted properly, or water is getting in and washing it out. We fix the cause, not just relay the pavers.
Where we work: InEx Lifestyle Design is based in Montrose and works right across Melbourne’s east and the Yarra Valley, including Montrose, Mooroolbark, Lilydale, Kilsyth, Croydon, Mount Evelyn, Ringwood, Wantirna, Mitcham, Donvale, Park Orchards, Warrandyte, Eltham, Wheelers Hill and Glen Iris, with larger projects further afield across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.
Planning a new alfresco, path or courtyard?
Phil Crockett will come out, look at the site and give you a clear, itemised quote. Call 0425 812 894 or send us a few details online.