Tarmac, concrete or paved drive?

Akira · 2 Jan 2008 at 18:53

I need to get rid of the scruffy grass on my driveway.
Which is generally cheaper to have done; tarmac, concrete or paving?
I'm thinking 2nd hand flags.

TaKeN · 2 Jan 2008 at 18:55

Concrete would be the more expensive of the three at a guess..

The flag stones would go a horrible colour and need washing quite often,

I would personally get the Tarmac unless its realy expensive.

kieranv · 2 Jan 2008 at 18:59

We've had gravel, concrete slabs and paving stones on our drive in the past 18 years, out of the 3 paving stones are deffinetly the best although they do get moss and stuff inbetween them and get quite muddy.

ste_bla · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:02

tarmac most expensive as you cant DIY it really

concrete is easier as the bases for concrete and paving would be the same

MHayes · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:07

What about that concrete that looks like flags, no gaps for weeds like flags. We have bricks and my dad says it is a pain to keep clean and wants tarmac, probably the most expensive but long lasting option.

G-MAN2004 · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:11

James07 · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:14

Paving is the cheepest, plus if you tarmac or concrete you need planning permission from the council.

Also, i personally think paving looks better.

ste_bla · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:15

James07 said:
Paving is the cheepest, plus if you tarmac or concrete you need planning permission from the council.

Also, i personally think paving looks better.

Since when?

PlanningPortal said:
There are no restrictions on the area of land around your house which you can cover with hard surfaces at, or near, ground level.

However, significant works of embanking or terracing to support a hard surface might need a planning application. Alternatively, an elevated patio or decking, especially if it creates useable space underneath, might be regarded as an extension or garden building, and subject to the appropriate limits. You will also need to apply for planning permission if the hard surface is not to be used for domestic purposes and is to be used instead, for example, for parking a commercial vehicle or for storing goods in connection with a business. Ask the council if in doubt.

You must obtain the separate approval of the highways department of your council if a new driveway would cross a pavement or verge. You will also need to apply for planning permission if you want to make a new or wider access for your driveway on to a trunk or other classified road. The highways department of your council can tell you if the road falls into this category.

Duke · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:15

Tarmac looks awful so I would go for paving stones or concrete. We've got stamped concrete cobblestones, like below.

Make sure you use someone reputable.

Jokester · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:16

Personally paved/patterned concrete looks better.

James07 · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:18

Ha i thought u had to get planning permission, DanMc07's dad got it in his garden, im sure he said somethign about it to me a while back.

Jokester said:
Personally paved/patterned concrete looks better.

Aye this is what i would have.

Mark A · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:20

Duke said:
Tarmac looks awful so I would go for paving stones or concrete. We've got stamped concrete cobblestones, like below.

Make sure you use someone reputable.

They look great but the only problem is the finish doesn't last forever. Ive seen a few now where the finish including the colour has worn away where people have been walking through. It might need re treating every few years or so?.

kieranv · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:20

Duke said:
Tarmac looks awful so I would go for paving stones or concrete. We've got stamped concrete cobblestones, like below.

Make sure you use someone reputable.

Is that just like concrete with a mould or something pressed ontop of it?

Akira · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:22

Hmm thanks. Looks like the best compromise is reclaimed flags. I'll be parking 2 cars and a motorbike on it.

Scuzi · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:26

Akira said:
Hmm thanks. Looks like the best compromise is reclaimed flags. I'll be parking 2 cars and a motorbike on it.

Don't use flagstones if you are parking cars on it. The flags will sink where the weight is on them and it will end up uneven and awful looking in no time. I personally would go with tarmac but brick paving also looks quite good.

iBot · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:30

gravel = best
flags = 2nd
patterned concrete = naff.

Duke · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:30

kieranv said:
Is that just like concrete with a mould or something pressed ontop of it?

Yeah. They normally come in large slabs and are just dropped next to each other and cemented down.

Mark A said:
They look great but the only problem is the finish doesn't last forever. Ive seen a few now where the finish including the colour has worn away where people have been walking through. It might need re treating every few years or so?.

Ours has been down for over 10 years and has only worn a little in some areas (near the front door). You are meant to use some protective liquid to prevent weathering etc but we haven't done this I don't think.

Akira · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:31

Scuzi said:
Don't use flagstones if you are parking cars on it. The flags will sink where the weight is on them and it will end up uneven and awful looking in no time. I personally would go with tarmac but brick paving also looks quite good.

Even if you put a good base of rough concrete beneath? I made a path for my bike which was sand, aggregate, concrete+aggregate then the flags and it seems strong as anything.

Tefal · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:33

good clean new black tarmac looks great, specially if you have a good lawn next to it.

Duke · 2 Jan 2008 at 19:37

Oh and make sure these people don't do it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/roguetraders/index.shtml#driveways