Driveway paving

Mudball

Mudball

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Our driveway is partially shingles and part lawn. You can also see odd grass and weed growing in the middle of the driveway. The lawn has more tyre marks than grass. The spots where the cars are generally parked is also showing signs of wear and tear.

so looking to get it professionally paved. Have the first builder coming around tomorrow. I am more keen to get a local builder than a big national driveway company (but open to suggestions)

What is the trend when it comes to pavings? Questions I should ask the builder? Any idea of how to budget for this?
 
I don't think 'builders' are the best for paving. Almost certain to be a specialist paving company local though - and they would seem to be the experts. Check the local Trade Directory and their references. We were certainly happy with the cost and quality with our choice - though knew the guys already.
 
Mudball said:
Our driveway is partially shingles and part lawn. You can also see odd grass and weed growing in the middle of the driveway. The lawn has more tyre marks than grass. The spots where the cars are generally parked is also showing signs of wear and tear.

so looking to get it professionally paved. Have the first builder coming around tomorrow. I am more keen to get a local builder than a big national driveway company (but open to suggestions)

What is the trend when it comes to pavings? Questions I should ask the builder? Any idea of how to budget for this?
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Avoid Brett backed paving , I mean they do a good job but rip you off price wise. First job we got done when we moved out. Looks great but cost double what it should

Avoid resin drives imo seen nothing but issues with them

Block paving is simple but affective
 
Last quote we had for block paving a couple of years ago was approx £80 per m2 all in, expect it may be a little higher now, how big is your driveway? A lot will depend on what prep work they need to do ahead of laying (like most things)

Theres a variety of options really does depend what you want to spend and what sort of finish you want (blocks, setts, slabs, gravel, resin, printed concrete etc)
 
fundy said:
Last quote we had for block paving a couple of years ago was approx £80 per m2 all in, expect it may be a little higher now, how big is your driveway? A lot will depend on what prep work they need to do ahead of laying (like most things)

Theres a variety of options really does depend what you want to spend and what sort of finish you want (blocks, setts, slabs, gravel, resin, printed concrete etc)
Click to expand...

In practice I've found resin looks average and if it goes wrong it's impossible to patch

Printed concrete looks amazing but when wet I find it slippery
 
We have block paving. It was already down when we moved in 16 years ago so have no idea of its age. The weeds are a nightmare. It is a constant battle to keep them in check.
 
srixon 1 said:
We have block paving. It was already down when we moved in 16 years ago so have no idea of its age. The weeds are a nightmare. It is a constant battle to keep them in check.
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Boiling water works - for a while. Vinegar works better; White better than Malt, as it's stronger. Roundup apparently works even better, though is not something I'd use even after assurances that it's safe! I'd suggest you try White Vinegar on a 'patch' first.
 
Foxholer said:
Boiling water works - for a while. Vinegar works better; White better than Malt, as it's stronger. Roundup apparently works even better, though is not something I'd use even after assurances that it's safe! I'd suggest you try White Vinegar on a 'patch' first.
Click to expand...

Diesel is great .. kills everything
 
pauljames87 said:
In practice I've found resin looks average and if it goes wrong it's impossible to patch

Printed concrete looks amazing but when wet I find it slippery
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I would avoid both as if they crack there's not much you can do.
The most important is the base layers, get that right then should last for years.
A neighbour down the road has a block driveway and has it sealed every year and it always looks like new! And been that way for approx 12years.

Unfortunately, they moved out last summer and its starting to look a mess, diesel stains on the front edges.
Some of the square setts look smart edged with a contrasting colour.
My advice would be to go with a "Driveway" company and ask to see work in the area.
Good luck. ?
 
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I quite like the trend im seeing of a block paving edged drive with fresh tarmac as the main drive. Looks great and much better for the weeds etc than full block paving!

In regards to questions - Id just ensure the driveway has good drainage built into it!!
 
One thing to check is whether or not you need planning permission in the area where you live to convert a 'soft' covered driveway to a 'hard' covered driveway.

This was brought in to reduce the amount of rainwater fall off on to the roads in some areas.
 
Having seen thousands of drives over the years I think it’s fair to say all look brilliant when first laid. But after a time they need maintenance.
A greenkeeper at out place, his former job was laying concrete patterned drives. He told me there are two types of concrete. Concrete that is cracked. Concrete that’s going to crack.
block paving. They look very nice when laid and finished off correctly. Next doors looks atrocious and they know it but there “ Mate” did a runner. Again they need yearly maintenance.
I think resin drives look fantastic, but if they are not laid in the right conditions they can cause problems.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
If you are considering a concrete or resin drive, get your contractor do do some preventative maintenance & lay ducts form your boundary to the house through which any gas, electricity, water or telecoms service relays can be undertaken. In the event that you need one done, you shouldn't have to dig the drive. (y)

I had our Virgin Media cable wrecked by the Council muppets when they redid the footway. Virgin undertook a splice repair which wasn't good. I demanded a relay. Virgin were reluctant as they thought they would have to lift the black limestone slabs. When I pointed out that there was a duct there in anticipation of the problem, they did it very quickly.
 
i had a landscaper friend come around and give some advice. He also does driveways.

Based on what he saw, he said he would not do a block paving as it is a fairly large drive area (space for about 5-6 cars once the lawn is ripped off). He said it will require digging out the whole driveway not just the lawn. relaying the sub surface and then paving across it.
His alternate version is to do replace the lawn with similar shingles. That way we are only converting the lawn area. Where some of the old driveway has cracked and weeds appear, he can patch those rather than rip and replace. He also recommended granite blocks to form an edgea and stop the shingles running onto whatever border is is left along the hedges. Also a lip to stop shingles getting onto the road.

(obviously, he can do all of these :cool: )... I think he ist thinking something like this. (photo off the interweb rather than mine. I think we may have similar space but not the same shape)

44fba58fcf1f849b269fba8452a67576.jpg
 
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