Laying granite setts yourself can save you hundreds of pounds, and the result lasts for decades if you get the groundwork right. This guide walks you through exactly how to lay granite setts, from planning your base to finishing the joints, so your driveway or path looks professional and stands up to British weather for years.
Quick answer: Granite setts are typically laid over a properly compacted sub-base, with the bedding and jointing system chosen according to whether the area carries pedestrian or vehicle traffic. For a granite sett driveway installation, the sub-base and edge restraints matter most, since they have to withstand repeated vehicle loading over time.
Granite setts are relatively small, thick blocks of natural stone, commonly available in sizes such as 100 × 100mm and 100 × 200mm. They're popular for driveways because they handle vehicle weight well, which is more than you can say for most thin paving slabs.
Before you buy a full pallet, order a free sample from Stonewise so you can see the colour and finish against your driveway or garden in daylight, since stone can look quite different on screen than in person.
What Is the Best Way to Lay Granite Setts?
A suitable way to lay granite setts is over a properly compacted sub base, with the bedding and jointing system selected according to the intended use. Getting the sub-base and overall build-up right is one of the most important factors in long-term performance.
Before you touch a single sett, plan your layout. Measure the area, work out how many setts you need including a 10 to 15% wastage allowance for cuts and breakages, and decide on a laying pattern.
Popular granite setts laying patterns include:
-
Stretcher bond, where setts are laid in straight rows like brickwork
-
Herringbone, which locks setts together at 45 or 90 degrees
-
Fan pattern, often used for curved driveway edges or circular features
-
Random or coursed laying, mixing sizes for a more rustic finish
Herringbone is a popular choice for driveways because the interlocking pattern can help resist lateral movement under vehicle loading. It isn't the only factor in how well a driveway performs, though, since the subbase and bedding system do most of the structural work. Whichever granite setts laying patterns you choose, sketch it out on paper first so you know exactly how many cuts you will need at the edges.
What You'll Need
-
Granite setts, plus 10 to 15% extra for cuts and wastage
-
MOT Type 1 aggregate for the sub-base
-
Appropriate bedding material, sand or a semi-dry mortar mix depending on the application
-
Jointing compound or kiln-dried sand
-
Edge restraints such as concrete haunching or edging setts
-
Plate compactor
-
Rubber mallet
-
Spirit level
-
String line and pegs
-
Shovel and rake
-
Diamond-blade saw or angle grinder
-
Safety goggles, gloves, and other appropriate PPE
Having everything on hand before you start means you won't stop mid-job to source a tool or top up on material, which matters most once you've mixed bedding that needs to be used within a limited working time.
How Do You Prepare the Ground Before Laying Setts?
You prepare the ground by excavating to the correct depth, compacting the sub-base in layers, and installing edge restraints before any setts go down. Skipping this stage is the main reason DIY driveways fail within a few years.
Excavate to the Right Depth
For driveways, excavate to around 200 to 250mm below the finished level and up to 300mm on soft or clay ground. For paths and pedestrian areas, 150 to 200mm is usually enough. These figures are a general starting point rather than a fixed rule, since the right depth depends on your ground conditions and the overall build-up you're working to. Remove all vegetation, topsoil, and soft material, since anything organic left underneath will rot and cause the surface to sink.
Install Edge Restraints
Fit edge restraints, such as concrete haunching or edging setts, along every boundary. This stops the whole surface spreading sideways once vehicles start driving over it.
Build the Sub Base
Lay MOT Type 1 aggregate in layers of no more than 75mm. Compact each layer thoroughly with a suitable plate compactor until it is firm and stable, following the aggregate supplier's guidance where applicable, before adding the next layer. Build up to a minimum of 150mm for paths or 150 to 200mm for driveways as a general guide, going deeper on clay soil.
Set Your Falls and Levels
A fall of around 1 in 60 is commonly used as a starting point for surface drainage, but the gradient you actually need depends on the site, the surface finish, and how the water is meant to drain away. Run string lines across the area to check the fall as you go, working away from buildings and towards a drainage point.
Laying Granite Setts on Concrete vs Laying Granite Setts on Sand
People ask this a lot, and the answer depends on the intended use, ground conditions, and the overall pavement build-up.
A suitable bed of sharp sand may work for some pedestrian applications, such as footpaths and lighter garden areas, provided the complete installation build-up suits the site and product. This provides a base with a bit of give, which can work well where nothing heavier than foot traffic crosses it.
Laying granite setts on concrete generally means bedding them into a semi-dry mortar mix, usually somewhere between 3:1 and 5:1 sharp sand to cement. This kind of bound bedding is commonly used where vehicle loading is expected, since it's better suited to resisting the sideways forces that car tyres put on jointed surfaces.
If you're unsure which approach fits your project, check the specification against your intended use, or ask a supplier, rather than assuming one method works everywhere.
Step by Step: How to Lay Granite Setts
Once your base is ready, the laying process follows a consistent rhythm. Work through these steps for an even, long-lasting finish.
Step 1: Mix and Spread the Bedding Layer
Mix your bedding material to a firm, workable consistency, not sloppy and not bone dry if you're using mortar. Spread it in small sections rather than across the whole area at once, so it does not dry out or get walked on before the setts go down. Every sett should sit on a full bed, never spot bedded on a few blobs of material.
Step 2: Place Each Sett Firmly
Place each granite sett into the bedding layer and bed it down firmly with a rubber mallet. Check that it sits level as you go using a spirit level or string line. Natural granite setts can vary slightly in thickness, so adjust the bedding depth as you work rather than assuming every sett will sit at the same height.
Step 3: Keep Consistent Joint Gaps
Keep the joint width consistent and follow the recommended joint width for your chosen sett and jointing system, since different setts and jointing products may require different gaps. Use spacers if that helps you stay even across the whole area.
Step 4: Cut Setts to Fit Edges
Cut setts to fit edges and curves with an angle grinder or a diamond-blade wet saw. Follow the tool manufacturer's safety instructions and use suitable respiratory and eye protection when cutting stone, particularly where dry cutting may generate dust. Mark each cut before you start to avoid wasting stone.
Step 5: Compact the Surface
Once enough setts are down, compact the surface gently with a plate compactor fitted with a rubber protection mat. Compacting too early, before the bedding has firmed up, can disturb the setts you have just laid.
Step 6: Fill the Joints
Fill the joints by brushing in kiln-dried sand for a lighter, sand-laid path, or apply a jointing compound for driveways and areas with vehicle traffic. If you're using a resin-based jointing compound, follow the manufacturer's application instructions carefully, since working times and application conditions vary by product. Stonewise supplies EASYJoint PRO alongside its range of granite setts.
How Do You Lay Granite Setts for Edging?
Knowing how to lay granite sett edging matters as much as the main surface, since edges take significant stress from vehicle wheels and foot traffic. Set the border setts first, bedded into a slightly stiffer mix than the main field when using a bound system.
Lay your edging course along a taut string line before filling in the main pattern, so every other row has a straight, fixed reference point to work against. This matters most on curved driveways, where fan-shaped cuts need a consistent starting edge to look neat.
Summary
Getting how to lay granite setts right comes down to four things done in the right order. Excavate to a depth appropriate for your area, whether that's a driveway or a path. Compact a proper MOT Type 1 sub-base in layers, checking your falls as you go. Bed each sett firmly into a bedding layer suited to the traffic it will carry. Finish with tight, even joints filled with a jointing method that won't wash out.
Skip any one of these stages and the surface is more likely to move, sink, or crack within a few years, regardless of how good the stone itself is. Follow them properly, matched to a build-up appropriate for your site, and a granite sett driveway or path can outlast many other paving options.
If you're still deciding on colour, size, or finish, ordering a few free samples first is one of the easiest ways to avoid an expensive mistake, and our Stonewise team is happy to talk through your specific project if you call or message us before you order.
Quick Recap
Do granite setts need a sub base?
Yes, almost always. A compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, generally at least 150mm for areas taking vehicle weight, helps prevent the setts from sinking or shifting over time.
How thick should granite setts be for a driveway?
Setts around 100mm thick are commonly used for driveways, while thinner setts may suit pedestrian areas. The right thickness depends on the product, expected traffic, and the full pavement build-up, so check the manufacturer's specifications before installation.
Can you lay granite setts yourself?
Yes, if you're prepared to put in the time. The groundwork takes far longer than laying the actual stone, so don't underestimate how much of the job that early digging and compacting really is.
What is the best pattern for laying granite setts on a driveway?
Herringbone is a popular choice for driveways because the interlocking angles can help resist lateral movement under vehicle loading, though pattern alone doesn't determine how well a driveway performs. The sub-base and bedding system matter just as much.
Should driveway setts be laid on sand or mortar?
Driveway setts are commonly laid on a suitable mortar or bound bedding system where vehicle loading is expected. Sand-laid construction can also be used in some applications, but only when the full pavement build-up has been designed to support it.
