ideas for driveay finish ( block paving/tarmac A N Other)

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

We are thiking of having block paving ( charcoal grey) on our drive, we previously had gravel and I cant stand it as it gets everywhere. Does anyone have any other recomendations of perhaos something more contemporary that we may have not considered. Needs to be reasonably cost effective though ( i.e in line with cost of paving or tarmac)

Thanks.

O

[Dr_Gonzo]

Printed concrete is another option. It seems quite popular and should be inline with the cost of block paving.

[sleep envy]

granite sets if you can find some that are being removed

[edthedead]

I have seen some houses with what I think is gravel set in resin, basically it looks like a gravel drive but is solid. Don't know anything about it, but it did look good!

[Lefty Guns]

sleep envy said:

granite sets if you can find some that are being removed

There are often bulk loads of these on ebay.

I looked at them for doing a patio behind my steading but the setts alone were gonna cost the best part of £10k.

[satans worm]

We are having the same dilemma, I can't find anything that i love, the gel and shingle looks good but had lots of reports that it doesnt look good for long and quickly gets ripped up by pas tyres, block paving can look a little naff, unless you go for expensive cobbles (IMO) tarmac is naff also (again IMO), dont fancy cement due to cracking and surface wear, would like to have gravel but building control will not allow, so the only other poss option is
http://www.tarmac.co.uk/asphalt/mastertint.aspx?WT...
coloured tarmac, no not the naff red stuff, but buff coloured, if its as it says in the blurb it might be a possible alternative, just need to meet a representative and see if its as good as i hope?

[Lefty Guns]

OP, have you considered larger-sized aggregate/gravel/quarry dust?

We've got granite quarry dust on our courtyard which is made up of pieces of dark grey granite about 2-3" in size. Doesn't float like small gravel does and was cheap as chips if you pardon the pun.

£20/mt (delivered loose) for 100mT.

Edited for typos.

Edited by Lefty Guns on Sunday 18th October 12:50

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Thanks for the feedback guys, thinking block, but curious about the gravel dust as I havent heard of that before.

[Lefty Guns]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Thanks for the feedback guys, thinking block, but curious about the gravel dust as I havent heard of that before.

Phone a local quarry and ask to go and see their quarry dust. What kind of stone is local to you? We have loads of granite up here which is nice to look at and is hard wearing.

[D14 AYS]

I am quite liking Resin bonded driveways, seen a few now nice finish.

http://www.sureset.co.uk/picture_library_details.p...

[tobeee]

D14 AYS said:

I am quite liking Resin bonded driveways, seen a few now nice finish.

http://www.sureset.co.uk/picture_library_details.p...

I'm considering the resin/gravel finish too. http://www.pavingexpert.com/pdf/decordrive2004.pdf

[JulesV]

Have a look here:

http://www.addagrip.co.uk/addastone.html

Run by a mate of mine and a new PHer.

[B17NNS]

The resin bonded stuff does not last. It gets torn up by your tyres and is wildly expensive.

I lived on a new build estate where it had been used extensively. The contractors were constantly back re-doing it.

[m3jappa]

The problem is that when you start deviating away from the norm things start to get costly. When you mention contemporary i instantly think of something like sawn granite blocks but the cost of blocks won't be far off the overall cost of a normal block paved drive (however there are a few people selling some very nice sawn stuff for half sensible money).

There are other blocks like brett beta which has a smooth finish and i suppose it could be called a contemporary type of block and not too much money.

Trust me proper granite setts will cost you a fortune. They are expensive to buy and take ages to lay. You will also find it very very difficult to find someone who can actually lay them to a high standard.

Have a look on my site (shameless plug i know ) which is in my profile, theres a good gallery of a variety of jobs there.

[andyc.]

B17NNS said:

The resin bonded stuff does not last. It gets torn up by your tyres and is wildly expensive.

I lived on a new build estate where it had been used extensively. The contractors were constantly back re-doing it.

It wasnt done properly then. or they are running 8 wheelers over it all day.
Ive seen it done properly and in the few years we were maintaining the site it still looked as new.
Ive seen it done badly and,the company made more mess trying to put it right.Gave up in the end .


Block paving done well is resonably cheap and can look classy if they dont just use the standard blocks.

Edited by andyc. on Friday 16th October 22:08

[eliot]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thing about blocks is that you get weeds and ants nests. I've got pattern concrete and its far better looking. Yes it does loose it's sheen after many years - But I just resealed mine the other day and it looks like new again:
http://mez.co.uk/its-a-holden-mate/DSCF4188.JPG