Weathering bricks for drive

Blackstar_solar

Blackstar_solar

Blackstar_solar

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7 Nov 2005
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Location
Southampton, UK
We're thinking about expanding our brick drive out a couple of feet to give us more space to 2 cars and a bike. We've realised though that the new bricks won't match the existing ones which are about 5-7 years old and weathered/faded.

Anyone know any good tricks we could use to make the new bricks match the old ones, other than redoing the whole drive?
 
Hmmm Southampton I see where abouts.

In most cases there isnt much you can really do other then maybe setting with a pressure washer but after a few years they will look about the same anyway. The only thing I can suggest which doesnt help is go to a brick shop and try and find some off colour bricks that have been left out in there yard or something like that.

Its England after all with all the rain we have been having a week later and they will look about the same.
 
You could try looking for reclaimed brick? Will still probably not be the same amount of weathering through.

You could rent one of those heavy duty power washers (used to remove graffiti) that take off a thin layer of brick which will make the old ones look new.
 
You could remove a few random original bricks along the side and replace with new ones, and visa versa. It would help feather the colouring in a bit with the new work.
Otherwise you'll have an obvious Old|New line down the middle
 
1) Lay additional new bricks in drive
2) Acquire pressure washer
3) Fill pressure washer with water and cochineal
4) Pressure wash driveway
5) Bask in glory of new brown brick driveway
 
The feathering idea sounds like a plan to me, your adding 2 feet so remove 2 feet and add 4 feet of evenly distributed new and old bricks.

Also look into any rejuvination treatments to use on the old section to bring some colour back closer to the level of the new stuff.

I head your options will depend on how big the colour difference is.
 
Or, if you have an eye for design, chose a contrasting colour for the new stuff and make a feature out of it.

If your not that daring, then an expansion if the feathering plan, use new an old bricks to make a zig zag or argyil(sp) edging.
 
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i take it is block paving thats on the driveway

the feathering will not work, it makes the driveway look patchy.

only way is to pressure wash old driveway. dont use a electric jet wash, go to a hireshop and hire the most powerfull one you can get.

go to the local builders suppliers and ask for any old packs of blocks the same colour.

also you need to find the make of the blocks.
lift up one of the old ones and look at the little lumps on the side of the block.
with the top of the block facing you.
if the spacer is on the left, then its made by Marshalls.
if on the right then it could be either made by Brett, or ready pave.
then try to match the colour. (break the block in half to see the original colour)
this is important, as if you get the wrong make, the spacers will touch, and give you a bigger gap, which will encourage weed growth.
to be honest we do this quite often and the new blocks do blend in, within a year or so.
are you going to do this your self?
 
When my parents had part of their roof re-tiled they were told to paint them with milk / yoghurt / buttermilk.
They grow moss-y and look much older faster!
No idea about bricks tho!
 
goldilocks said:
When my parents had part of their roof re-tiled they were told to paint them with milk / yoghurt / buttermilk.
They grow moss-y and look much older faster!
No idea about bricks tho!
Click to expand...

This also works on driveways.

Don't pressure wash the old bricks clean as doing so disturbs the sand beneath them and they soon become loose and break
 
FatBoyObese said:
This also works on driveways.

Don't pressure wash the old bricks clean as doing so disturbs the sand beneath them and they soon become loose and break
Click to expand...

sorry mate that is wrong.
jet washing does disturb the kiln dried sand between the blocks, but not the sand underneath.
you just wait until its dry, then spray with weedkiller, then when dry again, you brush new kiln dried sand over it.

i have been a block paver for nearly 20 years
 
vonhelmet said:
He wants bricks that all look the same, I'm giving him bricks that all look the same!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you need to change the colour of all of them. Lot of insects that!

Just spill oil on the new bricks. If our drive is anything to go by they'll fit in straight away.
 
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