Choosing between paving patterns is not only a looks decision. The pattern changes how the surface carries load, how much cutting the job needs, and therefore what it costs.
For a driveway, one pattern is clearly the right answer. For a patio, you have far more freedom. Here is how the main patterns compare on strength, appearance and waste.
Why paving patterns affect strength
Block paving works through interlock. Load applied to one paver is shared with its neighbours through the sand-filled joints. How well that happens depends on how the joints line up.
- Continuous straight joints let pavers creep along that line under braking and turning forces
- Broken, interlocking joints spread load sideways in several directions at once
- Long joint runs also channel surface water, which erodes joint sand faster
That is why herringbone is specified for vehicle surfaces worldwide, and why stack bond is not.
Herringbone: the driveway pattern
Each paver is set crosswise to the last, forming a zigzag weave with no continuous joint in any direction. It is the strongest pattern under vehicle load, and the standard recommendation for driveways.
- 45-degree herringbone: laid diagonally to the direction of travel. Strongest option, best resistance to creep at edges. Around 15% cutting waste.
- 90-degree herringbone: laid square to the edges. Nearly as strong, simpler to set out. Around 10% waste.
Best for: driveways, parking bays, access roads, anywhere a vehicle turns or brakes. Cost impact: more cuts than any simple pattern, and setting out takes longer. On an all-in rate of R390 to R680 per m2, the extra cutting is a modest premium for a large gain in durability.
Stretcher bond: simple and economical
Also called running bond. Pavers laid in rows with joints staggered by half a paver, exactly like a brick wall.
- Waste: around 5%, the lowest of any pattern
- Setting out: quick, so labour is lower
- Weakness: a continuous joint runs the length of every row
Best for: paths, walkways, patios and pedestrian courtyards. It is a perfectly good pattern used in the right place. On a driveway, lay it across the direction of travel rather than along it, though herringbone remains the better choice.
Basketweave: the traditional look
Pairs of pavers laid alternately horizontal and vertical, forming woven squares. It is the classic older Cape courtyard look.
- Waste: around 8%, moderate cutting at the perimeter
- Requirement: the paver must be exactly twice as long as it is wide, or the weave will not close up
- Strength: better than stack bond, well below herringbone under vehicles
Best for: patios, braai areas, courtyards, garden paths, and heritage-style properties. Avoid it under regular vehicle traffic.
Other paving patterns worth knowing
- Stack bond: pavers aligned in a strict grid. Very modern look, weakest interlock, low waste. Pedestrian use only.
- Random or multi-format: mixed paver sizes in a repeating layout. Handsome and forgiving on irregular shapes, but 15 to 20% waste.
- Circular and fan: feature areas and turning circles. High waste and slow to lay, priced accordingly.
- Cobble sets: small units, usually in fan or arc layouts, for a traditional finish.
Cobbles behave differently to standard blocks on cost and cutting, which we cover in our cobble paving Cape Town comparison.
What cutting waste does to your budget
Every cut at a border, curve or obstacle produces an off-cut you pay for but do not use. Order the right allowance up front — buying a second small batch later risks a colour mismatch between production runs. Paver strength classes and laying guidance come from the Concrete Manufacturers Association.
- Stretcher bond: about 5%
- Basketweave: about 8%
- Herringbone 90 degrees: about 10%
- Herringbone 45 degrees or diagonal: about 15%
- Random and fan layouts: 15 to 20%
Cutting also costs labour, not just brick. Diagonal borders take real time to cut cleanly, and a quote that ignores it will find the money elsewhere — usually in the base. Our paving contractor Cape Town guide covers the questions that keep the base intact.
Choosing a pattern for your project
- Driveway or parking: herringbone, 45 degrees for a busy drive with turning
- Path or walkway: stretcher bond, cheapest and entirely adequate
- Patio or braai area: basketweave or stretcher, whichever suits the house
- Small awkward area: avoid diagonals; the waste is proportionally worse
- Large plain area: a border course in a contrasting colour breaks it up cheaply
Pattern choice does not rescue a bad base. Herringbone on 40mm of sand still ruts. It is the finishing decision on a system that has to be right underneath, which is the same message as our guide to paving sinking. Full material options and rates are on our paving page.
Getting a quote with the pattern priced in
Ask for the pattern to be named on the quote along with the waste allowance. It tells you the contractor has costed the cutting rather than absorbing it later by cutting corners.
We quote patterns explicitly, assess sites free of charge and charge no call-out fee. Send us the area and what it is for and we will suggest the pattern that fits the use, not just the photo.
Frequently asked questions
Which paving pattern is strongest for a driveway?
Herringbone. Each paver sits crosswise to the last so there is no continuous joint in any direction, which spreads vehicle load sideways and resists creep under braking and turning. The 45-degree version is strongest, with 90-degree herringbone close behind and slightly simpler and cheaper to set out.
What is the difference between 45 and 90 degree herringbone?
The 45-degree pattern is laid diagonally to the direction of travel and gives the best interlock and edge resistance, at roughly 15% cutting waste. The 90-degree version is laid square to the edges, is nearly as strong, easier to set out and produces about 10% waste, so it costs a little less.
Which paving pattern has the least waste?
Stretcher bond, also called running bond, at about 5%. Basketweave sits near 8%, herringbone at 90 degrees around 10%, herringbone at 45 degrees or any diagonal around 15%, and random or fan layouts 15 to 20%. Order the allowance up front to avoid a colour mismatch from a later batch.
Can you use basketweave paving on a driveway?
It is not recommended. Basketweave interlocks better than stack bond but far less than herringbone, so under repeated vehicle loading the joints open and pavers creep. It is an excellent choice for patios, braai areas, courtyards and garden paths where the only load is foot traffic.
Does the paving pattern affect the price?
Yes, in two ways. More complex patterns need more cutting, so you buy more pavers to cover the waste, and the cutting itself takes labour. Against an all-in rate of about R390 to R680 per square metre, a herringbone driveway carries a modest premium over stretcher bond for a large durability gain.