Oud-Waalse klinkers (Belgian block paving): cost and use

Where standard concrete pavers are machine-pressed to a fixed size and colour, oud-Waalse klinkers are deliberately irregular in shape, texture and colour — ranging from red-brown to purple-grey, often with slightly uneven edges. That gives the effect of a street that has already been there for years, rather than the crisp, repeating look of new clinkers.

Some suppliers also sell genuinely reclaimed oud-Waalse klinkers salvaged from historic street projects — pricier, but with an authentic, weathered patina that cannot be replicated with new stone.

Labour costs run slightly higher than for standard clinkers, since the irregular sizing takes more care to keep the coursing looking neat.

Oud-Waalse klinkers are usually laid in a running bond or herringbone pattern — both emphasise the organic, slightly uneven shape of the stone better than a strict basketweave. They suit:

• Driveways and entrance paths at characterful or heritage-listed homes
• Rural or romantic gardens where an established, "lived-in" look is wanted
• Combining with gravel, chippings or grass joints for an even more rustic finish

For a wheelchair-, pram- or heel-friendly surface, oud-Waalse klinkers are less suitable than smooth slabs — the slight texture is part of the stone's character.

Oud-Waalse klinkers need little upkeep: occasional weeding between the joints and, after 10–15 years, re-sanding the joints with jointing sand or grit. With a proper foundation they last just as long as standard clinkers — often decades.