Imprinted concrete driveways.
Discussion
We've decided to replace our tarmac driveway and are probably going to go for imprinted concrete as opposed to the monobloc most people choose. It's going to cost a bit more, but a couple of our neighbours have had it done, and it looks really impressive; there's a large range of styles and colours, and it seems to be hard-wearing.
Has anybody had it done, and what are the up/down sides? Any advice much appreciated before we part with our hard-earned. Thanks in advance!
Has anybody had it done, and what are the up/down sides? Any advice much appreciated before we part with our hard-earned. Thanks in advance!
Make sure your contractor has lots of experience and get feedback from previous customers. It is a relatively simple process but a bit fiddley and the results are very dependent on experience and a steady hand. You do not want the apprentice on your drive! The process can be rather weather dependent as well, we had one done on a windy day and the contractor managed to dye all the window frames a fetching shade of red! We don't bother with it anymore it's all block paving with nice patterns at the mo.
Is your driveway sloped at all? The one thing I found with imprinted surfaces was they were near-lethal when wet. So smooth I was like bambi on one.
We had ours done 2 years ago. The contractor was the regional reseller of 'stencil tech'. He sent me to a couple of local jobs he had done and I knocked on the doors etc. The finish is not imprinted concrete, but pattern stencilled. They laid a cardboard stencil of our design down and then sprayed a mix of concrete/ paint over the top. The result was the same visually as imprinted Drives i had seen/ tested but had the texture of sandpaper. Much much more grip.
I learned most of the above from a post on here. Will try to find it.
We had ours done 2 years ago. The contractor was the regional reseller of 'stencil tech'. He sent me to a couple of local jobs he had done and I knocked on the doors etc. The finish is not imprinted concrete, but pattern stencilled. They laid a cardboard stencil of our design down and then sprayed a mix of concrete/ paint over the top. The result was the same visually as imprinted Drives i had seen/ tested but had the texture of sandpaper. Much much more grip.
I learned most of the above from a post on here. Will try to find it.
mine been done about 8 years now, dark red/grey. I've resealed it twice myself (a day's work and fifty quid for the sealant) biggish drive but luckily has a gentle slope towards the house and garage with drains across the lowest edges. Perfectly level drives are the worst as the water settles and pools after rain. Still happy with the low maintenance aspect of it although some tiny cracks are now appearing, hardly noticeable though.
ironv8 said:
mine been done about 8 years now, dark red/grey. I've resealed it twice myself (a day's work and fifty quid for the sealant) biggish drive but luckily has a gentle slope towards the house and garage with drains across the lowest edges. Perfectly level drives are the worst as the water settles and pools after rain. Still happy with the low maintenance aspect of it although some tiny cracks are now appearing, hardly noticeable though.
Could you point me to the best place to buy the sealer?eltax91 said:
Is your driveway sloped at all? The one thing I found with imprinted surfaces was they were near-lethal when wet. So smooth I was like bambi on one.
We had ours done 2 years ago. The contractor was the regional reseller of 'stencil tech'. He sent me to a couple of local jobs he had done and I knocked on the doors etc. The finish is not imprinted concrete, but pattern stencilled. They laid a cardboard stencil of our design down and then sprayed a mix of concrete/ paint over the top. The result was the same visually as imprinted Drives i had seen/ tested but had the texture of sandpaper. Much much more grip.
I learned most of the above from a post on here. Will try to find it.
This. And if it's icy forget about walking on it. Terrible things the colour will fade the imprints smooth off it will look rubbish unless sealed every few years but your wife will have slipped on it well before then and you will have ripped it up. We had ours done 2 years ago. The contractor was the regional reseller of 'stencil tech'. He sent me to a couple of local jobs he had done and I knocked on the doors etc. The finish is not imprinted concrete, but pattern stencilled. They laid a cardboard stencil of our design down and then sprayed a mix of concrete/ paint over the top. The result was the same visually as imprinted Drives i had seen/ tested but had the texture of sandpaper. Much much more grip.
I learned most of the above from a post on here. Will try to find it.
It's all about the prep - the base must be flattened and battered to a T or it'll sink over time and the concrete will crack.
Then you definitely want some texture or they become lethal when the slightest bit of moss starts to take route, or it's wet or icy.
BUT if done right, they're far better than blocks because there are no cracks for greenery to take root in, and they are generally easier to clean oils and other spills off. Keep a can of Gunk for concrete in your garage in case of oils, and a can of sealer to be applied after each clean - whether that be a simple jetwash or Gunk.
Then you definitely want some texture or they become lethal when the slightest bit of moss starts to take route, or it's wet or icy.
BUT if done right, they're far better than blocks because there are no cracks for greenery to take root in, and they are generally easier to clean oils and other spills off. Keep a can of Gunk for concrete in your garage in case of oils, and a can of sealer to be applied after each clean - whether that be a simple jetwash or Gunk.
grumpyscot said:
They're banned in our council area because they don't allow water soak-away. At least monoblock allows water to drain away unlike the printed concrete where it lies until the next drying day!
Same with our local council although I'm told you can replace like for like?Obviously the Council Surveyor knows best!!
Here's one that I'm aware of. Only a couple of years old and looks tatty already.
For contrast here is the drive on my old house after a couple of years. Compare it to the block paved one on the right that was put down within weeks of mine.
I depends on how well it was put down and how you take care of it. Also I was slippery for the first week but after that no problems.
I depends on how well it was put down and how you take care of it. Also I was slippery for the first week but after that no problems.
As other's have mentioned, check that your local authority doesn't have a statutory requirement for planning permission for imprinted concrete driveways. If they do, you'll have to prove that the surface water run off isn't heading to the road drainage system and the design of water collection and soakaway system you will use to manage it on your land. You should also check the flood risk rating of your home on the Environment Agency website to see how sensitive to surface water issues the Local Authority will be.
As an alternative you could consider a resin bound driveway. It can be laid over an existing Tarmac surface (as long as it is in good condition), it allows water to drain through it so there are no ponding issues, is a non-slip surface and is available in a variety of colours. If you aren't familiar with the technique a quick Google search will provide plenty of examples. Usual disclaimer I have no connection with anyone providing this service but I did have this kind of driveway laid at my previous house and it proved to be an excellent choice (now 6 years old and still as good as new).
This topic surfaces quite often and I read it every time as mine is going to be done in May/June. I just cant quite get my round these surfaces, my biggest concern is it cracking/not lasting or not looking that great. The pic above looks fantastic but my neighbour has one and it just looks ok, but not as good as above. I think Id rather go block paving and pressure wash it once a year or so.
Our house had it when we moved it. I hate it.
It's lethal when wet or icy, the colour has lifted/stained in places so it's patchy and because it's one big pattern it's a pig if you want to make any drive alterations.
It is low maintenance though you only get the odd weed on edges or expansion joints.
I would consider it again but as a rough/Matt finish otherwise blocks with a sealant is much nicer
It's lethal when wet or icy, the colour has lifted/stained in places so it's patchy and because it's one big pattern it's a pig if you want to make any drive alterations.
It is low maintenance though you only get the odd weed on edges or expansion joints.
I would consider it again but as a rough/Matt finish otherwise blocks with a sealant is much nicer
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