The 10% Rule When Buying Paving: Why It Matters More Than You Think

When planning a paving project, one of the most common questions we hear is:
“How much extra should I order?”

The short answer is simple: at least 10%.
The longer answer — and the reason this matters — is explained below.

At Paving Central, we recommend the 10% rule as an absolute minimum when buying paving. In many cases, ordering 15–20% extra is the smarter option. Here’s why.

What Is the 10% Rule?

The 10% rule means ordering at least 10% more paving than your calculated area.

For example:

• A 20m² patio → order 22m²

• A 30m² area → order 33m²

This extra allowance is not wasteful — it’s practical. It exists to account for real-world factors that almost always occur during paving projects.

Why 10% Is the Minimum We Recommend

1. Breakages During Transport

Paving slabs are heavy, rigid products that are transported on pallets.
Even with careful handling, breakages can occur in transit, particularly with:

• Natural stone paving

• Split packs (half or quarter pallets)

• Smaller orders that require re-handling

A 10% allowance helps protect against transit breakages and avoids delays if replacements are needed.

2. Split Packs & Smaller Orders (Important)

If you are ordering less than a full pack — typically below 18–22m² — your paving may need to be:

• Split from a full pack

• Re-handled

• Re-palletised for delivery

This extra handling increases the risk of breakage.

👉 For smaller areas or split packs, we strongly recommend allowing up to 20% extra.

3. Cuts, Layout Adjustments & Installation Reality

Very few paving projects are perfectly square.

Extra material is often needed for:

• Cuts around edges

• Steps, drains or manholes

• Pattern adjustments

• Design changes during installation

Areas with lots of cuts or complex layouts are far better suited to a 20% allowance.

Porcelain vs Natural Stone: Is the Rule Different?

Natural Stone Paving

• More variation in size and thickness

• Higher likelihood of breakage

• 10% is the absolute minimum

• 15–20% recommended for:

  • Mixed patio packs

  • Smaller areas

  • Detailed layouts

Porcelain Paving

• Stronger and more consistent

• Less likely to fully break

• However, minor edge chips can occur, especially in transit

While a chipped porcelain slab may still be usable for cuts, it may not be suitable as a full tile.
👉 10% is still the minimum, with more recommended for complex layouts.

Joint Widths & Coverage Calculations

At Paving Central, all coverage calculations are based on a minimum joint width of 10mm for both porcelain and natural stone.

If you are planning:

• Tighter joints

• Non-standard layouts

You will need to allow extra material to compensate.

Common Mistakes We See

🚫 Ordering exact square metre coverage
🚫 Not allowing for breakages in transit
🚫 Under-ordering small areas
🚫 Assuming future top-ups will match perfectly
🚫 Trying to “save money” by cutting it too close

In reality, under-ordering almost always costs more time and money in the long run.

Why Ordering Extra Saves Time & Stress

• Avoids delays mid-installation

• Prevents colour or batch mismatch later

• Allows flexibility for cuts and changes

• Reduces the risk of project downtime

Once paving has been installed or cut, it cannot be returned — and matching products later cannot always be guaranteed.

Our Advice at Paving Central

• 10% extra is the minimum we recommend for all paving

• 20% is often the smarter choice for:

  • Smaller areas

  • Split packs

  • Projects with lots of cuts

If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to sense-check quantities before you order and help you choose the right allowance for your project.

Final Takeaway

The 10% rule isn’t about selling more paving — it’s about helping your project run smoothly from start to finish.

A little extra ordered upfront can save:

• Delays

• Stress

• Additional delivery costs

• Inconsistent finishes

If you’d like help calculating quantities, the team at Paving Central is always happy to help.