Flexible & Rigid Paving Guide



Clay pavers have a long and illustrious record of creating attractive and durable pavements in a wide variety of applications including paths, pedestrian areas, driveways, patios and recreation areas.

This manual is intended to provide guidance for clay pavers only, for the design and construction of flexible and rigid clay pavements. If your project uses concrete pavers, you should refer to the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) of South Africa.


  1. Definitions
  2. Specifying clay pavers
  3. Flexible pavements
  4. Rigid Pavements
  5. Maintenance

Benefits of Clay Paving

The timeless, earthy look and inherent durability that has seen clay brick pavers withstand centuries of use are some of the primary reasons the product is constantly chosen for outdoor construction. However, these are just some of the numerous benefits of the environmentally sustainable product.

“Because every paver is sourced from age-old deposits, they each exude an appealing earthy nature that is both aesthetically pleasing while also creating an extremely strong product, able to withstand high levels of loading,” explains CBA Chairman, Musa Shangase. “Clay brick pavers also comes in a wide palette of colours and textures which are suited to a broad spectrum of tastes and lifestyles.”

Clay pavers are renowned for their colour integrity which comes from natural pigmentation as opposed to an artificial additive. They retain the original colour without being affected by any form of ultraviolet light, creating an unmatched richness and warmth for any paved area.

The shape of each paver has a natural, textured character which not only blends into any environment with ease, but also creates a pedestrian-friendly, non-slip surface through its abrasive characteristics.

“The skid-resistant features of clay brick pavers have proven increasingly popular with many governmental departments selecting it for construction in schools and hospitals,” explained Shangase. “It provides an excellent solution for any heavily trafficked areas that could become wet, such as pathways or even swimming pools.”

The installation of clay brick paving is a relatively quick and easy laying process and, once laid, the pavers can be used immediately. This means that paving can be left until last, taking pressure off contractors when time is of the essence. In addition, the natural characteristics mean that clay brick pavers will adjust to accommodate to the movement of any underlying earth materials, preventing cracks.

The durability of clay pavers means replacement is generally unnecessary, however, if there is any damage to a paver, they are easily replaced. It is simply a matter of removing the damaged paver and replacing it with a new one, thereby decreasing any future maintenance costs. They also do not need any expensive year-on-year upkeep procedures.


Published in association with: www.thinkbrick.com.au Neither the Clay Brick Association of South Africa nor Think Brick Australia can accept any liability whatsoever regarding the contents of this publication. While the contents of this publication are believed to be accurate and complete, the information given is intended for general guidance and does not replace the services of professional advisers on specific projects.

First published September 2016

The Standards referenced in this manual were current at the time of publication.


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