How to Choose Outdoor Surfaces

Choose from budget-friendly hard surfaces for lasting landscaping.

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Stamped Concrete

Concrete is made to look like natural stone, slate or timber using a stamping technique.
Pros and Cons Offers a natural finish at a fraction of the cost of the real thing (sandstone can cost $140 per m2) and is harder wearing. Not for sloping areas as the smooth finish makes it slippery.
Best for Driveways, paths, patios.
DIY It’s a fairly involved process and not recommended for DIYers.
Have it Done It takes three people about two days to lay an average-size drive, costing from $65 per m2 for product and labour.

Stencilled Concrete

The effect of paving is created using a stencil over concrete.
Pros and Cons Cheaper than paving and avoids risk of weeds, movement or sinking. There are many colours and patterns, but the finish isn’t as smooth as stamped concrete and it doesn’t look like real paving up close.
Best for Driveways, paths, patios.
DIY It takes skill, so novice DIYers should undertake only small areas. It costs around $35 per m2.
Have it Done To lay 50m2 on the first day takes three people, and another day to lay the stencil. Costs from $65 per m2 for product and labour.

Natural Stone

Natural stone, such as sandstone, travertine and granite, is cut to size.
Pros and Cons Long-lasting and unique. Colour, texture and thickness varies within types, and cutting requires hiring a bricksaw (about $150 a day). Needs sealing after laying, and can be quite expensive.
Best for Pool surrounds, front entries.
DIY Unless you buy calibrated stone, thicknesses vary, so it’s necessary to sort pieces into similar thicknesses for an even surface. Costs from $60 per m2.
Have it Done Takes two people about two days to lay 50m2, costing from $110 per m2 for product and labour.