Ideas for driveway colours (block paving).

tired_dad

Hi,

Interested in thoughts on this issue. Most block paving I have seen is red/brown ish in colour. There seems to be more in the way of greys as well ranging from dark grey to light silvery.

The grey palate seems to be more contemporary and fashionable at the moment.

Any thoughts on longevity of the look? Also how do the lighter colours stand up to the passage of time and having cars parked on them etc.

I am thinking of mainstream block paving by either Marshalls or Brett.

We are looking into a new driveway and tempted to go with a grey.

What I'm keen on getting an idea on is what they look like several years down the line. They all look amazing when first installed.

TIA

force_ten

I have got marshall priora charcoal block paving on my drive but it was only put down in sept 2014 so I cant comment on how it will look sometime down the line

I bought my blocks from marshalls outlet on e bay and saved a fortune over buying from a builders merchant

ic

Its only a case of having to clean them once in a while - I pressure wash my drive every three years or so, and then brush kiln sand back into the gaps. If you just leave it it'll moss over and go green, irrespective of the colour.

jellie

Take into account the colour of your house bricks and roof, along with any garden walls.

Mine was done years ago when there was very little choice. I've got the basic red rectangular blocks. What with that, the red bricks the house is built of and the red tiled roof, there's just too much red going on.

Next time, I'm having grey and cream cobbles.

tired_dad

ours is mainly a white house, with some red brick visible. Very tempted to go with shades of grey on the block paving but just a bit worried about long term wearability. TBH red block paving does look tired after a few years esp once the moss sets in.

Interesting in ebay as a source of marshals. Will look into it a bit more

force_ten

tired_dad wrote: »

Interesting in ebay as a source of marshals. Will look into it a bit more

stores.ebay.co.uk/marshallsfactoryshop/

that is the Ebay store that i bought my block paving from, i bought 8 packs of blocks and it was about 60% cheaper than buying from a builders merchant

you have to make sure you search by distance as they only offer free delivery from the depot that is nearest to you

martin1959

Please Please Please DO NOT use concrete block paving. Whoever supplies it, it will over a few years fade. It will stain from oil leaks, and after a few years it will look like it was laid a few years ago..


The cost for laying concrete blocks and clay pavers is similar, but clay pavers will cost maybe 20% more to buy the actual blocks. It will be money very well spent.


Ask your contractor to show you a clay v block drive laid 5-6 years previously. The clay will look like the blocks were laid yesterday...


Clay blocks DO NOT fade, and they do not absorb oil, it can be scrubbed off.


We had 80sqm of clay laid 13 years ago, and after a jet wash and resand, which I do every 2-3 years, it looks like it was laid yesterday.


Most contractors will push you towards concrete block for the simple reason they are easier to lay as they can be cut with a block splitter, and they are after a easier life. Concrete blocks have to be cut with a disc cutter.


I promise you, you will never regret laying clay blocks over laying slightly cheaper concrete blocks......