Driveways

Driveway and patio design ideas

Here are some driveway and patio design ideas and materials tips. The best products aren’t always the most expensive. Look at your neighbour’s drives. Get some catalogues and walk around your local builders merchants for ideas. Let contractors give you prices for different materials so you can compare them.

Driveway design and driveway materials:

The popular options for driveway materials are block paving, tarmac/asphalt, pattern imprinted concrete, and standard pressed paving. The average driveway is approx. 50-60sq.M. and at this size block paving and concrete are the most expensive, then tarmac, closely followed by pressed paving. Tarmac can be cheaper from a company specialising in it, but usually its only cheaper for bigger driveways.

Block paving comes in a wide variety of colours, the most popular driveway design is standard (e.g. Driveline Brindle) blocks laid in a herringbone pattern (approx. £15 per sq.M. more than tarmac or pressed paving), or cobble style concrete blocks (e.g. Drivesett Tegula) laid in rows (approx. £25 more than tarmac or paving). Here are some block paved driveway design tips: these blocks are an attractive surface and suit most properties, but a very modern house might look best with the standard style, and most others will look best with cobble style. Bear in mid that there is a lot of cutting around the edges, sometimes blocks can be laid in a different pattern to lessen the cutting costs as pictured right. (For readers in the US, $1 is approximately equal to £0.65)

Tarmac / asphalt is a very simple plain surface, it looks best on a driveway design with a row of block paving as a border. However it can be expensive for smaller driveways. Tarmac is good value on large drives, especially with a very attractive house and garden as it doesn’t detract from the other features of the property. Driveway tips: Most companies will use hard stone tarmac as standard now, this is made with granite stone and keeps its colour, whereas the cheaper limestone based tarmac is the type that fades to grey very quickly. If you would like red tarmac get assurances about its quality as there are issues with it’s strength, a long term written guarantee is absolutely a must with red tarmac!

Standard pressed paving is basic grey flags often laid with a scatter of pink/red ones too. It is a very simple surface but cheap and just as strong as any other option. The main problem is efflorescence, this effects all concrete products and is salts inside the concrete coming out. This happens in very small amounts on most other paving products, but is very common and ugly on standard pressed paving. It is thought this maybe due to the manufacturing process being rushed or the fact that these flags are pressed so are more dense. This varies from batch to batch so you maybe lucky and have a nice smooth coloured surface but you may also have very strong discolouration on these flags, it will eventually disappear leaving a smooth colour but this can take a year or more.

Imprinted concrete: This isn’t as popular because of its relatively high price and fake looks, it is an excellent option though as it is easiest to clean and lasts just as long as any other surface. However a bad job will be very bad as any mistakes are very hard to fix, also if some needs to be dug up in the future (e.g. for fixing underground pipes) its can also be hard to repair.

Concrete patio paving isn’t as strong as pressed paving but can be used on drives with an extra strong concrete foundation- this is a very expensive option and heavy use of cars on these flags will deteriorate their surface in time.

Natural stone paving is recommended on driveways- reclaimed yorkstone flags are very thick and provide an attractive surface but are very expensive and often slippery when wet. Cobbles are a very attractive option but the grout will always crack so its not the most practical option as they are very expensive too. Indian Stone is a very reasonably priced alternative (although it will still be on a par with cobble type block paving like Tegula), these cheap thin flags will need a very good concrete foundation, they look great but will need sealing to avoid tire marks. Indian Stone is the best choice from these other options.

Gravel is the cheapest surface and is excellent for a big driveway design, just bear in mind that its often hard to walk on especially in high heels, wheelie bins and prams are difficult to push over most types of gravel too (chippings will bind better than pea gravel but its still far from a solid surface). Even with a good weed control sheet under the gravel like the plantex weed control sheeting you will eventually have a weed problem with gravel.

Patio Design Ideas and Patio Materials:

Indian Stone is the best product for a patio. It is great value natural stone and very attractive, it is therefore hard wearing so power washing it is not going to ruin the surface or a sealant can be applied to protect it from dirt. This product is too expensive to buy from Marshalls as they need to keep it more expensive than their concrete products for them to prosper, and their stone is ethically mined. However it is still possible to buy ethical Indian Stone from other suppliers (e.g. Bradstone) for a fraction more than the standard prices. Only a third of Indian Stone imported to the UK is ethically mined but it’s worth asking your paving contractor if he uses ethical stone or can provide a separate price for ethical stone if you care about such issues. This makes great patio design ideas.

Concrete paving is attractive and comes in lots of different styles and colours. If you have a particular colour scheme in mind then this is a good option, however it is often as expensive or more expensive than Indian Stone and will never last as long as a natural product.

Block paving collects moss in the joints, which isn’t such a bother on a driveway but not great on a patio, it can also be very expensive as machinery usually can’t be used for the required deeper excavation and patios are smaller areas so the labour intensive edges will bump the price up, as its the edges that take time to do with blocking.

Gravel and tarmac are ridiculous options for a patio. If you have an existing solid surface like plain conrete then decking is an option over the top of it. Its a cheap attractive option but I can’t comment on how well it lasts and I have noticed it can be slippery too.

Fence design and fence materials:

Many companies combine fencing and surfacing, hence its inclusion on this site. Its worth avoiding designer panels- they cost too much to be worth it most of the time. Most people will go for wanelap or vertical board fencing- its basic and cheap. What most people don’t know is that you can get these cheap panels treated just as well as the designer panels for approx. £1 a panel (although u may pay more due to them being special orders). Just ask your potential contractor for pressure treated or tanalised panels. These standard panels are dipped in rubbish to be honest- the colour will fade immediatley, having them treated properly will make them last much longer- 20 years+, and they will also keep their colour.

If you do want to go for the designer panels check out your local merchant such as Travis Perkins or Builder Centre as they often have special offers, or get a catalogue from a company like Forest Fencing. Don’t buy wanelap or vertical board style panels from these types as they are rubbish- they just do good designer panels. I always stick to the basic panels from local suppliers- easy to get, solid and cheap and most contractors use these as standard. Vertical board looks best with modern houses and costs £10-£15 more per panel then wanelap which is more of a rustic look, wood posts look best but concrete will always last longer and of course be stronger.

Some people assume walls will be cheap for boundaries- wrong! Don’t even consider a wall except possibly across front of house, they cost 3-5 times the price of a fence, much more for a 6ft high one. Instead try adding trellis or having bow topped panels (only advisable with vertical board) for a more attractive fence. Don’t worry too much about fencing- you can always plant a shrub in front of it or nail some trellis to a panel and grow a plant on it. Checklist for driveway design is here.

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Get a Green Driveway

There are some good options now for those wanting a green driveway. The best is using a permeable honey comb shaped mesh under the surface. This allows lawn to continue growing whilst also providing a relatively strong surface. Depending on usuage there are different types of this rubber mesh, very thin or thicker ones.

This green driveway mesh can just be laid over exisiting lawn sometimes. Other times it will require excavation to ensure a solid surface. Parking a heavy vehicle on a thin mesh will of course lead to dips on the surface over time. There are various options like the Geotek grids or the stronger concrete Aqua-Loc concrete version. The best option is to have a browse online and check with local suppliers and contractors to get the best option for you.

For those of us that can’t literally have a green driveway, there are surfaces that are better for the environment. First using reclaimed crushed stone for the foundation instead of proper MOT saves costs and uses recycled materials. Finer reclaimed stone can also often be used instead of sharp sand. Just make sure you don’t have a high soil content in it.

You can also use reclaimed concrete paving, there are lots of old concrete pavers lifted everyday and once pressure washed they give a decent looking surface. Mixing up different batches gives a very nice pathwork effect and concrete blocks can be added to the borders. Just ask your contractor, it is likely that they throw most away. There are reclaimation yards everywhere too which sell reclaimed materials like natural stone slabs. These are an excellent surface but rarely cheap due to the demand for them and their often awkward sizes.

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Heated Driveway: Radiant heating driveway systems

If you live in a snowy area, a heated driveway can be of great use. Heated driveways will melt the snow and prevent you and you vehicles from sliding. Heating driveway systems are especially of use to people with a slope on the surface. It is a safety precaution worth considering and also cuts down on the effort of removing the snow manually.

The best heating driveway systems are ‘radiant‘ which is similar to under floor heating systems. They are efficient and low maintenance. Some people find that they can turn on the system before going out to work, the snow melts before you drive out, and if conditions are mild it maybe safe to drive on the surface when returning home for the day. It is also possible that a heated driveway system can protect your home from damp in some cases.

HOW MUCH DOES A HEATED DRIVEWAY SYSTEM COST?

Prices vary with area and different contractors, but a rough guide is $25 per square foot plus electrician costs. This is not a small amount of money, but the safety and convenience can make it worthwhile.

It will also add value to the property when you come to sell. There is of course the cost of using a heated driveway system which will be dependant on the size of the area. It is best to get 3 estimates and ask for realistic electric costs at the same time.

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Driveway Cleaning and Patio Cleaning

Driveway cleaning is a fairly simple task but it can also be boring and time consuming. It is certainly something that you can do yourself but companies offering the service are often very good value. Pressure washers can be bought in all home improvement stores. Some are extremely cheap but they are very weak. The high powered spray of water in the cheaper models is really for washing a car. Trying to do a large path can take forever using one of these machines. In fact many people give up half way through or don’t spray consistently which makes a mess of the surface.

For best results invest in a better machine that will do the work in a faster time for your driveway cleaning and patio cleaning. It should also be noted that pressure washing concrete repeatedly will eventually wear the surface away. On pattern imprinted concrete surfaces or ornamental paving, this will take the face off leaving an ugly exposed aggregate which will get dirtier faster and faster the more it is exposed to the high power spray. Even natural stone surfaces will suffer as the grouting in the joints will come out.

Once the area is cleaned it is a great idea to apply a sealant. This will cut down the need for future harmful pressure washing. Sealants for concrete and stone hard standings come in a variety of styles. It is best to opt for one which will not give the surface a shine, although those ones can bring out the colours well. Applying a paving sealer is easy, just apply with a normal clean sweeping brush in a circular motion to ensure the whole surface is covered.

Driveway cleaning is the same as patio cleaning, however be aware than many patio pavers aren’t as strong. This means you may not need to use so much force with a pressure washer.

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Find a paving expert for patio and driveway work

Experience is everything when it comes to paving. Anyone can learn the basics to laying a patio or driveway. Things like how much fall to leave and how to lay a correct foundation can be learned. However with experience comes the ability to go beyond being a decent paver, to be a paving expert someone needs to have the ability to deal with a massive array of situations to get the best results.

It isn’t a age thing! Don’t just assume that an older paver will be a better one. Some men start as an apprentice at 16, by the time they are 30 they can be a paving expert with vast experience. Someone that is already 60 could of been doing something else his whole life.

So how do you find a real paving expert?
The trick is to ask people in the industry, this is something people rarely do. You are more likely to get a good answer in person. Visit builders merchants and builders yards where there are paving products for sale. The best people to speak to are the ones that use the phones and you are more likely to meet these in the office.

Go in ask for a catalogue and strike up a conversation. Steer the topic to who they would recommend, and take the advice. These guys are in contact with the public (customers), the workers (when they come in to buy materials), and everyone else in the industry. If you have already been thinking about specific companies, drop the names and you might get some valuble information. Once you have been given a name of a paving expert, you can then request that his team makes your patio or driveway.

You can also ask friends and family that have had work done. If they recommend a company, make sure you get the name of the worker in charge of the team. Just because one company has a top quality paver, it doesn’t mean that all the staff will have similar qualities. If you see a driveway being constructed, be nosy. Getting personal recommendations is invaluble.

Of course the paving company reputation is very important too, but use the above technique to find the highest quality workers. Some of the most popular pavers are in high demand so be prepared to wait longer for your work to start. It is worth waiting an extra month if it means you have better surface that lasts years longer in the future.

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What is the Best Patio and Driveway Sealing Equipment?

Old and new driveways can be sealed to stop dirt from sticking to the surface and protect it from the elements. Driveway sealers will stop tyre marks sticking to a driveway, and stop dirt build up on a patio. For new surfaces make sure that there are no concrete stains to clean off. Some concrete pavers will emit efflorescence for up to a year. These white mineral come out of the concrete when it is laid. It is best to let the pavers breathe before applying a sealer, your contractor will be able to advise you or the manufacturer.

Before sealing a patio or driveway make sure it is perfectly clean. This is usually done with a pressure washer. Driveway sealing equipment needed will be a brush to remove any surface dirt before application. Many driveway sealers some in easy to use tubs with a spray. Simply walk up and down the paving applying the spray evenly.

Some driveway sealers don’t come with the spraying equipment. These can be applied by using a normal soft house brush or even a paint roller for very flat surfaces. After one day you can then add another coat if required. The more you add the more you will change the look of the paving, usually making light pavers darker.

As you can see there is very little driveway sealing equipment required. Using a spraying driveway and patio sealer is easiest but be sure to apply it evenly. To keep the look of the existing paving go for a mat finish, there are also driveway and patio sealers with a glassy finish. If unsure, try a little of the liquid on a small area before applying to the whole paving area.

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How much gravel is needed for a garden, patio or driveway?

Many people have a problem deciding how much gravel to buy for their patio, driveway or garden. Different types of gravel (or shingle as some call it) can be bought. As a general rule the pebble types will need to be laid in a thicker layer as they don’t bond together at all. Limestone or granite gravel is pieces of small stone broken up. These will compact together better meaning less is needed. Smaller cut stones will bind better and create a more solid surface which is less likely to move and create gaps or holes.

HOW MUCH GRAVEL DO I NEED FOR MY GARDEN?

For flower beds less is needed as gravel just needs to cover the plastic membrane laid underneath. You should always lay a plastic membrane to prevent weeds coming through, the membrane can just be cut to allow real plants to survive. I have found a single ton of gravel can be spread over an area of 25 square meters (5m x 5m) or

HOW MUCH GRAVEL DO I NEED FOR MY PATIO?

On a patio gravel should be spread a little thicker to allow for the fact that people will be walking on it. I have found that a ton of gravel will cover 15 square meters (160 square feet) of patio surface. Gravel isn’t the best surface for a patio especially if you have a table and chairs. It can also spread easily onto the lawn or into the house.

HOW MUCH GRAVEL DO I NEED FOR MY DRIVEWAY?

On a driveway gravel should be laid over a crushed stone foundation. The foundation should be compacted with a road roller, this is then a surface strong enough for cars and minimal weeds will get through. Car tyres will make grooves in even the most well binding gravel or shingle. Especially if you turn the steering wheel when stationary (with power steering). Therefore a thicker amount is required, I used to lay 8 to 10 square meters (around 100 square feet) per ton of gravel. Three inches is a good depth for a driveway.

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What are the best driveway gates?

Most people go for wrought iron driveway gates. They are strong enough for everyday use and come in pre-made designs or custom designs. Wood driveway gates are the other option, they need to be top class quality though as wood is more likely to warp (bend), and rot. Once a gate has changed its shape or warped even slightly it will become a problem to lock it and close it properly.

Wrought iron gates are made with a series of bars and cross pieces. This means they keep people out but don’t offer privacy. Wood gates can be ranch style (with gaps like on a farm), or solid. Solid wood gates will offer privacy and this is what you will see at celebrities homes. Wide wood driveway gates are usually supported by a wrought iron framework which gives them a much stronger finish. They are very expensive though. A drive that isn’t too wide maybe OK with a gate that is fully wood, but be sure not to get a cheap version. These are usually made with tongue and groove wood which slots together for added strength.

Wrought iron driveway gates are the most common option as the extra privacy of the wood ones just isn’t needed. They can be purchased cheaply at home improvement stores where they are already made up, but ensure they fit your driveway before buying. There are often local ironmongers that make iron gates to any specification you need. They offer many designs like spirals, gold arrows or balls, swirls etc…

Electric driveway gates can be very expensive but also very convenient. People that don’t have electrified driveway gates usually don’t bother closing and opening them everyday. Therefore if you don’t think that you can afford electric gates, there is no need to splash out on extravagant designs if you will leave the gates open most of the time.

Gates look best attached to brick pillars, but they will also be expensive. For most people black metal posts will be the best option. Concrete posts can also be used but don’t look as nice. It is best to let a professional fit your gates as they can be heavy and awkward to fit perfectly. If fitting posts yourself make sure they are surrounded by 1ft of semi wet concrete on all sides, more for many heavier gates.

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