Everyone’s going crazy for crazy pave
Author: Tim and Tarryn Looker, the founders, directors and plant-loving humans behind Radar.
We don’t mean to alarm you, but we have a situation.
Hordes of homeowners across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula are going crazy for crazy pave. Literally, they’re crazy paving everything and there’s no sign of stopping.
From courtyards to gardens to pool edges (they’d have houses and cars made entirely of crazy pave if they could).
But hey, the crazy pave obsession is here to stay. And for damn good reason.
Crazy pave is a stylish, playful and striking way to add flair to your outdoor space. It involves matching natural stone pavers of all different shapes and sizes, giving a mosaic-like appearance. It’s popular in driveways, courtyards and pool edges.
So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty (because believe it or not, it’s a little more involved than smashing a few stones).
How to lay crazy paving
- First things first, you need a strong base to support your pavers. Start by laying a concrete slab in the area you want to crazy pave. At this stage, you also want to consider water runoff. Your surface should slope away from the house with adequate drainage at the edge of the area.
- Once the concrete is set and ready to go, choose your stones. We prefer to work with natural stones for an organic look (and it’s best to avoid smashing tiles).
- Next up, arrange them on the concrete slab, putting it together like an oversized jigsaw puzzle. Start with the bigger pieces then move to the smaller ones to fill in the gaps. Use adhesive to keep the pavers in place as you get creative.
- It’s time to grout the pavers. Use a float to push the grout toward the gaps, making sure each section is full. Clean off any excess grout on the pavers.
- Finally, apply a final seal to protect the pavers and ensure they last in years to come.
And voila – you’ve joined the crazy pave craze.
Ironically, it requires organisation to create a random and unstructured look (you want it to be fun and playful, but not an absolute mess). The best way to do this is to avoid cutting the stones (natural is best) and make sure they have consistent gaps between them.
Where to use crazy pave
The crazy pave options are endless. Use it on your patio, fire pit area, pool edge, driveway, outdoor shower, footpath or courtyard. We love using crazy pave on curved edges, as it creates a natural feel by following the organic shape of the stone.
What are the best crazy pave stones?
Crazy pave can be laid using a diverse range of stones, in all different shapes and sizes. Here are our favourite finishes.
- Sandstone pavers
Sandstone pavers are timeless, sophisticated and incredibly durable. They’re great for coastal gardens and natural aesthetics. Plus, their strength makes them great for areas of high vehicle or foot traffic. - Endicott pavers
Great for driveways, patios and pool areas. Endicott is available in a variety of shades, with a hand-chipped surface that give the pavers a unique and rustic finish. They’re also incredibly strong and durable. - Travertine pavers
Travertine is a type of limestone that’s used to make durable, versatile and striking pavers. You’ll love their soft, earthy and neutral tones. Plus, they’re slip-resistant, making them a popular option for pool decks. - Bluestone pavers
Bluestone is a type of volcanic rock (which explains its deep blue colour). They’re incredibly dense, strong and durable. Plus, they’re salt and slip-resistant, making them another popular option for pool decks.
Okay, how much does crazy pave cost?
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. And truth be told, the crazy paving cost varies depending on the size of your area and type of stone.
But to give you a ballpark, crazy paving starts at $380 per square metre (including labour).
And hey, if you’re considering DIYing your crazy pave, all power to you. But remember to plan before you pave.
Crazy pave can quickly become higgledy-piggledy (whereas organised, sophisticated chaos is the name of the game).
If you’re looking for a helping hand, we’d love to help. At Radar Landscapes, this isn’t our first crazy pave rodeo – we’ve worked with pool decks, courtyards and everything in between across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.