Driveway options

Mark M

Mark M

Mark M

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2006
Posts
3,437
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
I am planning on having something done with my driveway but unsure what is the best way to go and after some advice! The majority of block paving seems to sink over time but is this a reflection of the hardcore base not being put down properly or is it something you just have to accpet with anything you put down on your drive that has a car on it?

The other options are standard flags but they dont look the best; tarmac - the driveway is at the rear of the house so its where we sit and not sure if a tarmac driveway would look good in our back garden; concrete - Ive heard bad things about concrete cracking in the winter? Any other options Ive missed? Gravel is out as the driveway is on a slope!

I had a look on line and saw some printed concrete driveways but again is there an issue with the concrete cracking?

Any help and/or advie appreciated thanks.
 
THanks for the quick response, currently there is 2 rows of standard flag stones (the type the majority of pavements are made out of) but they dont look particularly appealing in the garden. We only have a small garden which the driveway takes up approx half so getting the driveway right is important.

I'll check out the links you posted thanks.
 
Those printed concrete drives look good at first but they soon start to wear out and then look a mess. They can also crack if the sub base isn't done right, in the same way that paving sinks.

I'd go for block paving if it was me, but get a decent firm in to do the work.
 
Block paving looks great when first done but after a few years always seems to look shoddy.
If I was doing mine for looks and longevity I'd do pattern concrete.

edit* lol complete opposite of post #5, well that's what I think anyway.
 
I feel the same about block paving, looks great initially but seems to degrade not that long after.

Interested in the pattern (and coloured) concrete, but I don't know how well this wears.

Thinking about doing my driveway in the near future, the tarmac has cracked and the ground underneath is moving. It's 20 odd years old though.
 
What colours are available in tarmac? I think black would make it look a bit like a carpark but perhaps right might look ok?
 
another reason for block paving sinking is from using blocks that are too thin, you really need 60mm+ for driveways.. some firms will use 50mm as they are cheaper per sq/m but i only use them on patio's and paths
oh, and avoid getting it done by people that have 'Motorway Maintenance' written on their vehicles :)
 
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Resin bound gravel or shingle is also an option.

Resin bound gravel typically comes buff but you can get different colours and is usually smaller grade than tarmac (so it looks better)

The shingle does tend to spread out, but its good for security (no one can creep around on it)
 
cainer said:
another reason for block paving sinking is from using blocks that are too thin,
Click to expand...

How can the use of thinner block cause sinking?

Usually it means they have skimped on 50mm blocks and also skimped on the sub-base at the same time.

Block paving needs maintenance re-spreading kiln dried sand and weeding, also you can't jetwash them as you'll wash the sand out.

However - if you are creating a drive iirc you need planning and planning may request a SUDS build up which is easier in porous blocks
 
maccapacca said:
How can the use of thinner block cause sinking?
Click to expand...

this happens more often on smaller driveways where the car wheels allways drive over the same blocks
also planning isnt needed if your replacing an existing drive, the OP is replacing an existing drive
 
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cainer said:
this happens more often on smaller driveways where the car wheels allways drive over the same blocks
also planning isnt needed if your replacing an existing drive, the OP is replacing an existing drive
Click to expand...

Planning shouldn't be needed anyway, from the Planningportal.gov.uk site..

"Building Regulations
Generally a new driveway or patio area does not require building regulations approval.

However, you will need to make sure that any alterations do not make access to the dwelling any less satisfactory than it was before. So, for example, changing levels to introduce steps where none existed before would be a contravention of the regulations."

I think however if you want a dropped kerb put in (for driveways at the front) that requires planning permission.
 
Bit deeper you need a SUDS driveway to not need planning.

Planning permission

Specific rules apply for householders wanting to pave over their front gardens.

You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing which allows water to drain through, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.

If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.
Click to expand...

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/pavingfrontgarden/
 
Thanks for all the advice so far, really helpfull.

I went home for my lunch and there was a builder 2 doors down pricing for some alterations so I asked him if he had time to have a quick look at the driveway. He oretty much said the same as has been said in this thread that the base is the most important but even then you will get some sinkage on a small driveway over the years. He said block paving should last a good 10 years if it has been put down properly.

He said that he never used to have a problem with sinkage as they used to lay concete first and then hardcore and then the blocks on top but apparently you can no longer use that method, persumably due to the water run off?
 
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