If you’re looking to upgrade your driveway, choosing the right driveway material is so important. Block paving may just be the answer. Enhancing your home’s kerb appeal and adding value to your home at the same time. Designed and installed right, block paving offers a range of practical benefits, as well as looking amazing! It’s a durable and long-lasting product that can withstand heavy use. It’s also low maintenance, requiring only occasional cleaning to keep it looking its best.
Being versatile and fully customisable, block paving allows you to choose from a variety of colours, patterns, and textures to create a unique look that compliments your home. In this blog, we’ll look at the benefits of block paving for your driveway and why it’s the perfect choice for homeowners in the UK.
Advantages of block pavers over other driveway materials
Unlike concrete or tarmac, which are poured (or rolled) as a whole area, a block paved driveway is made up of individual blocks laid one by one. Each block is made from high-quality materials, designed to withstand the elements and resist damage. Correct installation and good maintenance will ensure your block paving lasts for years without the need to be replaced.
A block paved driveway is also easy to repair. If a single block becomes damaged or dislodged, you can replace it without having to redo the entire driveway. You also have more flexibility when it comes to design. You can mix and match colours and patterns to suit you.
Another advantage of block paving is the ease of access if any pipelines or drains running under or around your property need to be repaired. A contractor will be able to just pull up what’s needed, then re-lay them when they’ve finished. No unsightly patching of tarmac or concrete.
Different types of block paving
It’s a bit of a minefield when it comes to block paving. There are many different shapes, sizes, textures, and colours. The two main materials for block paving are concrete blocks, and clay bricks. Like block paving, we’re seeing an increase in the popularity of cobbled driveways made from sandstone or Yorkshire stone.
What you choose will depend on the type of property your paving is for, and of course, your personal preferences. Your driveway contractor will advise on the suitability of different materials against your requirements.
Block paved driveway design options
Your driveway is one of the first things visitors see when they arrive at your home. If you want to wow your guests, one of the biggest benefits of block paving for your driveway is the endless design options which make it fully customisable. Unlike tarmac or concrete, which come in a very limited range of colours and textures, block paving can be customised in many ways to suit your preference. Whether you’re looking for a classic brick pattern or a more modern geometric design, block paving can be tailored to meet your needs.
In addition, the unique texture and bespoke patterns can elevate the look of your driveway and enhance your home’s kerb appeal. This can be especially important if you’re looking to sell your home in the future. An attractive, well-maintained driveway can significantly increase your property value.
Maintenance requirements
One of the biggest advantages of block paving is its low maintenance requirements. Other driveway materials require regular sealing and repairs. Block paving just needs an occasional sweep or hose down and it will keep looking its best. A quick wash or brush should be fine every now and again. Remember if you’re using a pressure washer it’ll likely remove some of the sand in the joints so you would need to brush in more sand once it’s clean and dry.
If you want the maximum life from your block paved driveway, it’s important to keep it free of debris and weeds. Regular sweeping and application of a weed killer are all it will need. It’s also important to fix any damage as soon as you can to prevent further damage to the driveway.
Cost-effectiveness of block paving
We often find that people think block paving is more expensive than other driveway materials. Depending on the material and style you go for, the cost can vary. But a block paved driveway can be quite cost-effective. This is because it requires less maintenance and repairs than other materials, saving homeowners money in the long run. Because block paving is more durable and long-lasting than other materials, it won’t need to be replaced as frequently.
Another cost-saver of block paving is that it can be repaired without having to redo the entire driveway. This can save homeowners money on labour and materials, as they only need to replace the damaged blocks rather than the entire driveway.
Installation process for block paving
The installation process for standard block paving involves several steps. (The process can be different depending on the type of paving being installed.)
- First, the existing driveway must be excavated and levelled to create a stable base. It may look like a gaping big hole when this is done but, believe me, the art of good block paving is all in the prep work!
- Next, a layer of crushed stone (usually MOT type 1) is laid to provide drainage and stability. This should be levelled and compacted.
- All block paving needs to have an edge restraint installed otherwise it will move over time. This can be a kerb edging that sits a little above your blocks as a feature or a flush concrete edging.
- Surface water shouldn’t be allowed to run onto the pavement or road in front of a property. If required, a channel drain (or other suitable option) would need to be installed. This is also a good idea if, for example, your driveway slopes down to your front door or a garage door.
- Blocks are laid out in the desired pattern on a layer of grit/sharp sand. This should also been levelled and then screeded, so the blocks are level.
- Finally, gaps between the blocks are filled with kiln-dried sand to provide extra stability.
While block paving installation can be a DIY project for skilled homeowners, it’s recommended that you hire a professional to ensure that the job is done correctly.
Why block paving by Kettlewell Groundworks is the perfect choice for your driveway
If you’re looking to upgrade your driveway, block paving is an excellent choice that offers a range of benefits. Kettlewell Groundworks will help to make sure that you make the right decisions when it comes to the style, shape, and colour of blocks so that they blend well with your home and are fit for the purpose you’re using them for.
Kettlewell Groundworks install all types of block paving from the leading manufacturers, and we are proud to be a Tobermore approved paving contractor. Our very own driveway has just been upgraded using Tobermore products. 😊
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of block paving for your driveway or garden, please get in touch.
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