Tarmac or Block paving?

valerian · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:45

having the drive done and need some advice

any thoughts on this?

Deiwos · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:46

Block paving.

valerian · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:47

ok, but why?

Jono · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:48

Because tarmac looks like you used the local ****** to do it. Block paving looks awesome if you get it done properly, and with nice blocks (costs more though, for some strange reason).

valerian · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:49

the clay ones are 2 grand more than the concrete equivalent

Tom0 · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:49

All depends on the job imo, both can look absolute carp if its botched. but I'd go with block paving too, it doesnt go discoloured after 5 years of baking in the sun

Blackstar · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:51

If you go for block paving remember to seal it, nothing looks worse than weeds growing up between the blocks.

valerian · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:52

what do you seal it with?

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:53

Block/brick can look a hell of a lot nicer than tarmac,
However tarmacs a lot cheaper and also doesn't show up stains, so if you do a lot of work on cars etc. Might be betetr going tarmac.

But what ever you do get a RECOMENDATION for a builder and NEVER pay anything until it's complete and your satisfied. It's a small job and any good builder shouldn't ask for money for materials or building until after it's complete.

platypus · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:54

Crazy paving!

me227 · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:55

Carpet?

a1ex2001 · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:57

AcidHell2 said:
But what ever you do get a RECOMENDATION for a builder and NEVER pay anything until it's complete and your satisfied. It's a small job and any good builder shouldn't ask for money for materials or building until after it's complete.

Definately second that and keep a good eye on them while they are doing it especially if you go with Tarmac as there are a lot of really dodgy people in the trade.

Block paving is nice but expensive and needs to be done tastefully I've seen some pretty awful affairs with far to much pattern etc in that just look far to much and date really badly! If it's a big drive might be a nice compromise to have a mixture with Tarmac where you park the car down to the garage and a seperate area of block paving round towards the front door.

ThriceNightly · 17 Sep 2007 at 18:31

i have seen some very nicely laid tarmac driveways - they can look good especially if they are edged with expensive block.

obviously much cheaper than a block driveway too