What Type of Sand Should I Use Under Driveway Pavers?

For driveway pavers, you should use coarse, angular bedding sand — commonly called concrete sand or chip sand — laid at a consistent depth of around 25–30 mm. This type of sand locks together under compaction and load, giving your pavers a firm, stable base that resists shifting over time. Fine sands like beach sand or general builder's sand are not suitable for this application and can lead to uneven settling and paver movement.

Why the Right Sand Matters

The bedding sand layer sits between your compacted base course (typically AP40 or AP65 crushed aggregate) and the pavers themselves. Its job is to provide a level, slightly flexible bed that allows pavers to be set accurately and to distribute load evenly. Get this layer wrong and you'll end up with rocking pavers, poor drainage, and a driveway that needs relaying far sooner than it should.

The Best Sand for Under Driveway Pavers

Coarse Bedding Sand (Concrete Sand / Chip Sand)

Coarse bedding sand is the industry standard for paver installation. It has angular, irregular particles that interlock when compacted, resisting lateral movement under vehicle loads. Key characteristics to look for:

• Particle size: Typically 0–5 mm, with most particles between 1–3 mm
• Shape: Angular or sub-angular (not rounded)
• Cleanliness: Free of clay, silt, and organic material
• Drainage: Allows water to pass through rather than holding moisture

You can source this from most landscape supply yards, concrete suppliers, or builders' merchants such as PlaceMakers or Mitre 10. Ask specifically for bedding sand or concrete sand — staff will know exactly what you need.

What to Avoid

How Deep Should the Bedding Sand Be?

The bedding sand layer should be 25–30 mm deep after screeding, before pavers are laid. Do not compact the sand before laying pavers — it should remain loose so you can screed it level. The pavers themselves, once laid and compacted with a plate compactor, will bed the sand down to the correct depth.

If your sand layer is too thick (over 40 mm), pavers can rock and shift. Too thin and you lose the ability to make fine level adjustments.

The Full Driveway Paver Build-Up

Bedding sand is just one part of a correctly constructed driveway. A typical residential driveway build-up in NZ looks like this:

1. Subgrade — natural ground, shaped and compacted
2. Sub-base — 100–150 mm of compacted AP65 or AP40 crushed aggregate (depth depends on soil type and vehicle loads)
3. Base course — 50–75 mm of compacted AP20 crushed aggregate
4. Bedding sand — 25–30 mm of coarse bedding sand, screeded level
5. Pavers — laid to pattern, then compacted
6. Jointing sand — swept into joints after compaction

For guidance on construction standards relevant to NZ conditions, BRANZ publishes useful technical information on paving and drainage.

Jointing Sand Is Different

Don't confuse bedding sand with jointing sand. Once your pavers are laid and compacted, you sweep a finer sand into the joints between pavers. Many installers now use polymeric jointing sand, which contains a binder that hardens when wet, locking pavers together and resisting weed growth and ant activity. This is swept in separately after the bedding layer is complete.

NZ Climate Considerations

In wetter parts of New Zealand — particularly the West Coast, Northland, and parts of the Waikato — drainage beneath your driveway is critical. Poor drainage causes the sub-base to soften, which leads to paver movement regardless of how good your bedding sand is. Make sure your sub-base slopes to drain, and consider a geotextile fabric between the subgrade and sub-base to prevent clay migration upward into your aggregate layers.

In areas with expansive clay soils (common in Auckland and parts of Hawke's Bay), you may need a deeper sub-base or specialist advice. MBIE Building Performance has information on site and soil considerations under the NZ Building Code.

Do You Need a Building Consent?

Most residential driveway paving work falls under Schedule 1 exemptions to the Building Act and does not require a building consent — but this depends on your specific situation, including proximity to boundaries, stormwater implications, and your local council's rules. Always check with your local council before starting work to confirm whether consent is needed.

When to Call a Professional

While laying pavers is a popular DIY project, a driveway that takes vehicle loads is a different proposition to a garden path. If you're unsure about:

• Correct sub-base depth for your soil type
• Achieving proper falls for drainage
• Working near stormwater connections or retaining structures
• Large or complex driveway layouts

…it's well worth getting a qualified driveway layer involved. A professional will have access to the right compaction equipment and the experience to get the levels right first time. You can find experienced local driveway layers on tradedirectory.co.nz.

Note that if your driveway project involves any changes to stormwater connections or drainage infrastructure, that work must be carried out by a licensed drainlayer registered with the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board.

Sources & Further Reading

• BRANZ – Building Research Association of NZ
• MBIE Building Performance – NZ Building Code
• PlaceMakers – Building & Landscaping Supplies
• Mitre 10 – Landscaping Materials
• Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board
• WorkSafe NZ – Safe Work Practices