Sandstone Paving Patterns: 8 Layouts and Ideas Compared

The most common sandstone paving patterns are stack bond, stretcher bond, herringbone, diagonal, French pattern, random ashlar, crazy paving and linear plank layouts. Stack and stretcher bond suit single-size sawn pavers and waste the least (around 5%). Herringbone and diagonal layouts look busier and need 10–15% extra for cuts. Multi-size layouts such as French pattern and random ashlar suit sawn modular paving, from $65/m².

Sandstone paving patterns compared

Pattern	Look	Suits these sizes	Wastage (allow)	Difficulty
Stack bond	Clean grid, modern and formal	Squares: 400x400, 600x600mm	About 5%	Easy to lay; joints must be dead straight
Stretcher bond	Brick-like, lengthens a space	Rectangles: 600x400, 600x300mm	5–7%	Easy
Herringbone (90°)	Woven zig-zag, lots of movement	2:1 rectangles, e.g. 600x300mm	10–15%	Moderate to hard
Diagonal (45°)	Dynamic, widens narrow areas	Squares or rectangles	10–15%	Hard; many edge cuts
French pattern	Classic repeating multi-size	Set of four sizes from one module	5–10%	Moderate
Random ashlar	Relaxed, irregular rectangles	Sawn modular paving, mixed sizes	5–10%	Moderate; needs sorting
Crazy paving	Organic jigsaw	Sawn or handsplit flagging	10–15%	Hard; labour-intensive
Linear plank	Long, narrow, contemporary	150mm hydrasplit strips, long sawn pavers	5–10%	Easy to moderate

Sandstone paving patterns explained

1. Stack bond

Every paver lines up with its neighbours in both directions, creating a continuous grid. It is the simplest pattern to set out and suits square sawn all round pavers in 400x400 or 600x600mm for a modern courtyard or pool surround. Because every joint runs straight across the whole area, any error shows, so use string lines in both directions.

2. Stretcher bond (running bond)

Rectangular pavers are laid in rows with each row offset by half a paver, like brickwork. Laying the long side across the direction of view makes a narrow side path feel wider; laying it along a path makes it look longer. 600x400 and 600x300mm pavers work well. A third-offset version is common with longer pavers.

3. Herringbone

Rectangles are laid at right angles to each other in a zig-zag. The pavers interlock, which is why herringbone is traditional for driveways, and it adds lots of movement to a large plain area. Pavers need a 2:1 ratio (for example 600x300mm). Every edge needs angled cuts, so allow 10–15% extra stone and more labour.

4. Diagonal (45°)

A stack bond or herringbone turned 45° to the house. Diagonals draw the eye across a space and can make a small or narrow courtyard feel larger. Expect cuts along every edge and wastage of 10–15%.

5. French pattern

Also called Versailles or opus romano, French pattern uses a repeating set of four sizes from one module, for example 600x400, 400x400, 400x200 and 200x200mm. It looks random but repeats, so it is easier to lay than truly random paving. Because our pavers are cut to size at the quarry, you can order the four sizes in the right proportions.

6. Random ashlar

Random ashlar uses rectangles of many different sizes laid without a repeating module. It suits sawn modular paving, which comes in mixed sizes and colours at 50, 75 or 100mm thick. Because modular paving is a by-product of sawing other products, it is the lowest-cost sawn option at $65/m² (guide price). The trick is sorting pieces by size before you start and avoiding long continuous joints.

7. Crazy paving

Irregular pieces fitted together like a jigsaw with 10–25mm mortar joints. Sawn flagging gives a cleaner, more geometric version; handsplit flagging is more rustic. Our step-by-step guide on how to lay crazy paving covers bases, joints and the jigsaw rules.

8. Linear plank

Long, narrow pieces laid in a stretcher pattern create a timber-deck look in stone. Hydrasplit paving is 50mm thick and split to any width, with 150mm strips common, from $95/m². Use the same strips as edging or capping to frame the paving.

How do you choose a paving pattern?

• Size of the area: small courtyards suit simple stack or stretcher bond with larger pavers; busy patterns like herringbone can look cluttered in a tight space.
• Direction: long joints lead the eye. Run them towards a view, the pool or the back fence to make the space feel longer.
• Style of the house: stack bond and plank layouts suit contemporary homes; French pattern, random ashlar and crazy paving suit heritage and federation homes.
• Budget: material and labour both change with the pattern (see below).
• Use: driveways need interlocking or mortar-bedded patterns on a proper base.

Which sandstone paving pattern is cheapest?

On material alone, random ashlar in sawn modular paving is the lowest-cost sawn option (from $65/m²), followed by crazy paving in sawn flagging (from $85/m²), hydrasplit plank layouts (from $95/m²) and sawn all round pavers in stack, stretcher, herringbone or French pattern (from $120/m²). These are guide prices; final pricing depends on quantity, finish and delivery. Labour shifts the picture: stack and stretcher bond are the quickest to lay, while herringbone, diagonal and crazy paving take longer, so get two quotes for laying and compare them per square metre.

Sandstone paving ideas by area

Patios and entertaining areas

Large-format 600x600mm pavers in stack bond give a calm, open look for an alfresco area, and fewer joints make it easier to sweep. For a heritage home, French pattern or random ashlar in mixed yellows and browns feels more relaxed and hides wear.

Pool surrounds

Stack or stretcher bond in sawn all round pavers, finished with sawn or bullnose coping cut to size, keeps lines clean around the water. Run the joints parallel to the long side of the pool so the paving and pool line up. Choose a paler colour such as Marbled White or Light Yellow if you want a cooler, brighter look.

Paths and side passages

In a narrow side passage, stretcher bond with the long side running across the path makes the space feel wider. For garden paths, linear plank layouts in hydrasplit strips or a crazy paving path suit informal planting.

Driveways

Herringbone interlocks and handles turning wheels well, which is why it is traditional for driveways. Use 75–100mm pavers on a base designed for vehicles, or track-grade flagging laid as crazy paving on a reinforced slab.

Courtyards

Small courtyards suit one simple pattern and one colour. A 45° diagonal can make a tight square courtyard feel larger, but keep the pavers large so the cut edges don’t dominate.

Borders, banding and mixing patterns

• Soldier course border: a single row of pavers laid end-on around the edge. It frames any pattern and hides the cut edges of herringbone or diagonal layouts.
• Contrasting band: a strip in a different colour, such as Browns banding in a Light Yellow patio.
• Edging: finish where paving meets lawn or garden with matching sandstone edging or bullnose capping.
• Pattern zones: stack bond on the patio, stepping stones through the lawn, crazy paving on the path. Keep the stone colour consistent so the zones still read as one design.

How to set out a paving pattern

1. Start from the main view. Set the first line parallel to the house or the main sightline, not the boundary fence, which is rarely square.
2. Find the centre. For stack bond and French pattern, centre the layout on a door or window so cuts are equal on both sides.
3. Dry lay a row in each direction. Adjust the starting point so you don’t end up with thin slivers at the edges.
4. Keep checking. Use string lines every few rows; small errors grow across a large area.

The base, falls and laying steps are the same for every pattern; see our guide on how to lay sandstone pavers.

Get sandstone paving from Stone Front

We supply sawn all round pavers cut to the sizes your pattern needs, sawn modular paving, hydrasplit strips and flagging, all from our Glenorie quarry. Browse options on our sandstone pavers Sydney page and send your area and chosen pattern through our quote form.