Which driveway surface and how much?

[eltax91]

Hi guys

After a couple of hours hard labour on the disaster zone that is our front garden this morning, Mrs Eltax has finally caved in and told me I can get some quotes to rip up the existing Tarmac/ lawn/ stones/ weeds combination and get it completely relaid.

I reckon with a bit of measuring I've got 52m2 of driveway and 'side entrance'.

Now, I'd utterly love block paving, but I think it will probably be a small fortune per m2?

So, what are the options and rough cost per m2? Anyone had something similar done. Any comments on good 'ol Tarmac or this imprinted concrete stuff?

For ref, I have a large dbl garage that the cars get worked on in. So it'll be rare to jack a car up on the drive. The wife's kumkwat and my mx5 are parked in the garage, so it's only regular use will be it being driven over for garage access and my accord being plonked on it all the time.

[eltax91]

MikeOxlong said:

Three of my mates and I dug out my mates scabby front lawn and replaced it with a nice membrane lined gravel drive with brick outline in a day whilst nursing tremendous hangovers. Why not do it yourself and save yourself loadsa money?

This could be an option but I really don't like stones/ gravel. They just seem in my experience to sink way tom easy? Ideally I'd like a hard surface which, if needed, I could use a jack on safely.

[eltax91]

Riley Blue said:

Grass paving is the way to go.

Yeh I looked at that. It appears that one doesn't cover the 'wife factor'. She says is of the opinion it's ugly.

[eltax91]

For those who are suggesting blocks? Anyone got any experience of cost? At 60 quid a square metre, with my 52 m2 estimate, that's not that bad at 3,150. I'd have thought I'm way under though?

[eltax91]

sandman77 said:

You are way under with that price. I would say at least £5k.

So realistically:

Block paving - £100-£120 per m2
Printed concrete - £80-£100
Tarmac - £???
Gravel - waste of time and money

[eltax91]

stumpage said:

I have printed concrete. Still looks like new 2 years on and no weeds to worry about.

Any pictures of it then and now?

[eltax91]

JQ said:

I don't think I've seen it quoted in this thread, but any idea of how the price of resin bound gravel compares to the other types of surfaces on a per sq m basis? That certainly looks the best solution to me, but I have a suspicion it may be rather expensive.

I have ordered some samples online. But it appears that it's around 200 quid a tonne. No idea how much i'd need for my planned area, but i suspect it'll come out less than block paving....

[eltax91]

JQ said:

eltax91 said:

I have ordered some samples online. But it appears that it's around 200 quid a tonne. No idea how much i'd need for my planned area, but i suspect it'll come out less than block paving....

Cheers. It would be great if you kept this thread updated with quotes, costings and any photos of the finished drive - our driveway is horrible and is on our "to do" hitlist. Just need to get the kitchen extended and replaced, then new flooring for the whole ground floor and then we can hit the driveway.

OK, will do. This is the house as it stands right now: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.723207,-1.322999...

I am looking to go from the property border on the left as you look, all the way to the border on the right, taking the garden and driveway up. Then all the way down the side of the garage up to the house (the "front" side door is on the left as you approach the house)

[eltax91]

Bit of a conclusion from the thread from me. I've had a quote of just under £5k for my 65 sqm, for pattern imprinted concrete, which I have decided to go for. The price was £70 a sqm, plus some additional costs for tree removal and fitting new drains.

The wife has opted for a cobblestone affect with a border around the edge.

This is not the standard 1st gen imprinting, this is a new one with a MUCH gripper finish. I went to see a completed job yesterday and the surface felt like sandpaper to the touch. The area guy for stencil tech came along with samples of both types of finish and the new stuff is similarly priced but much grippier

I will post photos when it's completed.

[eltax91]

Hi guys

Finally after many weather interruptions the job is now finished. The total cost was under £5k, and we had 68 sq. metres coverage in the end. Have to say, the surface is NOT SLIPPY at all. The "spray" coast is mixed with a fast setting concrete so it is rough and raised from the "grout lines" (which are essentially bare concrete.

Overall, the finish looks a bit fake, but I don't mind that at all, since it essentially is! Overall I'm really pleased with the finish. For reference this is NOT imprinted concrete, but STENCILED. The UK provider is called Stencil Tech and my guy is the local agent.

Pictures here:-

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/2qm5z1beq8ttvfa/AACEo-Y...

[eltax91]

V8RX7 said:

Are there any expansion joints in it ?

Yeah. If you take a look at the picture of the tree you can make out the diagonal cut line from tree to house.

They recommended just the one as its at the fulcrum point in their opinion. They have offered a second one if I feel It needs it, but to be honest the wife is concerned about the appearance.

[eltax91]

fade2grey said:

Sorting the drive is pretty high up my list of things to do too, so interesting reading. How does block paving stand up to stuff like a discovery 3 parked on it all the time, or worse being jacked up/axel stands on it?

All the research I did on block talks about it sinking. If you get the best quality base I imagine it won't. Anything sub standard and it will for sure.

My biggest concern on block was the pita annual maintenance program. Needs a regular jet wash and re-sand. Poorly maintained ones show their age quickly I think