Driveway Paving Slabs - Porcelain & Natural Stone Driveways

A driveway has to survive what a patio never does — 1.5-2 tonnes of vehicle weight every day, braking and turning forces, oil, frost and standing water. That changes what you can lay. This collection brings together the materials genuinely built for vehicle traffic: granite and sandstone setts, and heavy-duty natural stone, from £20/m² with free UK delivery.

The one thing most driveway buyers get wrong

Standard 20-22mm paving slabs are designed for foot traffic, not vehicles. Lay them on a driveway and they crack — usually within the first year, regardless of how good the sub-base is. For a driveway that carries cars daily, you need 40-50mm thick setts, not standard slabs. It's the single most important decision in a driveway project, and getting it right is the difference between a surface that lasts decades and one that fails in months. Read our full guide to driveway paving.

Best materials for driveways

Granite Setts — from £40/m²
The best driveway surface available. 50mm thick, the hardest natural stone, handling daily vehicle traffic for decades. Victorian granite sett streets still carry traffic 150 years on. Silver Grey, laid in herringbone for maximum strength.

Sandstone Setts — from £40/m²
A warmer natural alternative that handles domestic driveways comfortably. Kandla Grey and Raj Green, 40-50mm thick, with natural colour variation that complements traditional and period properties.

Heavy-duty natural stone & porcelain
For driving areas with lighter use or for the borders and pathways around a driveway, our thicker natural stone and 20mm porcelain work well alongside a sett driving surface. Combine a sett driving strip with paving borders for a designed, hard-wearing finish.

Why setts outlast block paving and tarmac

Concrete block paving fades within 5-7 years, grows weeds in the joints, and typically needs replacing within 15-20 years. Tarmac softens in heat and needs resurfacing. Natural stone setts do none of this — they don't fade, resist weeds far better, and last 50-100+ years. Over 30 years, granite setts work out cheaper than block paving because you lay them once instead of two or three times. See the full comparison.

Kerb appeal that lasts

A driveway is the first thing people see. Setts give a premium, characterful finish in a range of tones — cool Silver Grey granite, warm Kandla Grey and Raj Green sandstone, and dark anthracite options for high-contrast, contemporary front-of-house looks. Laid in herringbone or running bond, a sett driveway looks intentional and high-end, not just functional.

Why buy from Universal Paving

As a direct importer, we supply natural stone setts and paving without the merchant markup — quality-checked at our Nottingham yard before despatch, available in full pallet quantities with free UK-wide delivery. Not sure which material suits your driveway? Order a sample first, or call our team on 0115 646 3218 — we'll point you in the right direction.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use normal paving slabs on a driveway?

No — standard 20-22mm paving slabs are designed for foot traffic and will crack under vehicle weight, usually within the first year. For a driveway, use 40-50mm thick granite or sandstone setts. If you want the look of larger paving, use setts for the driving area and standard slabs only for adjacent paths or borders.

What is the best paving for a driveway?

Granite setts (50mm) are the best — the hardest natural stone, lasting 50-100+ years under daily vehicle traffic. Sandstone setts are a warmer alternative for domestic driveways. Both outlast concrete block paving and tarmac, which need replacing every 15-20 years.

How thick should driveway paving be?

At least 40mm for domestic driveways, 50mm recommended for daily vehicle traffic, and 60mm+ for heavy vehicles. Standard 20-22mm slabs are not suitable for driving on. The sub-base also needs to be deeper than a patio — 200-250mm of compacted MOT Type 1.

How much does a sett driveway cost?

Granite and sandstone setts start from £40/m². For a typical 40m² driveway, materials are around £1,600-2,200. Professionally installed with the correct sub-base, expect £4,800-6,400 total — a one-time cost, with no resurfacing or replacement needed for decades.

Do you deliver driveway paving UK-wide?

Yes — free delivery across mainland UK from our Nottingham yard, typically within 2-5 working days. Trade customers can also collect from the yard.