Tarmac vs Block Paving (or other driveway substances)

YUMMYMUMMY89

Hi All,

Last year we dug up our front garden and laid aggregate as a driveway. We were told to use breathable membrane and as such weeds grow left, right and centre - after pulling them up month after month we have decided it's time to re-do it properly.

Does anyone have any experience with tarmac drives or know rough costings for tarmac or block paving or any other type of driveway surface?

Also any recommendations for trusted contractors in Essex.

Thanks in advance.

lee111s

Could just use a weedkiller?

Mojisola

There's lots of useful info here -
http://www.pavingexpert.com/

Furts

My guess is that you did not dig deep enough with your drive and you do not have sufficient stone depth. The weeds grow from under the stone - if you left topsoil, or subsoil, in place then you have created the problem.

Weeds need light and heat to grow - if your stone is not screening the light and allowing the soil underneath to get warm then this will cause problems.

If you have a coloured stone this will increase the problems.

It is also possible that your membrane is incorrect.

A drive in Cotswold stone aggregate does work, if done properly, and weeds are not a problem.

By all means upgrade your drive for this is your decision. But watch the specification, quality and workmanship of any replacement. I say this because your post focuses on cost and makes no reference to doing a job properly.

Davesnave

In time, block paviours will get weeds between the blocks as fine debris becomers trapped there, and if the area is damp/shaded liverworts and mosses may also grow.

For people who don't want concrete or tarmac, the chore of scraping-out between the blocks every year or so is acceptable, but for others, it's a hated task and rarely done. Just look around!

getmore4less

The weeds are most likely growing in the gravel not through the membrane.

Overtime the gravel gets filled with nutient rich debris and stuff grows.

You could as sugested just use a weekkiller, conveniently this stuff is on sale now so you can pick up enough to do every few months.


Blocks have the same problem and need to be cleaned faily regularly(anualy), if left it becomes a major jetwash and re sand job.

This year(after around 5 of doing nothing) my 30m2 took all day and am trying the no weed sand this year, £20 rather than £10 to do our bit, to suppress the weed dermination but if not cleaned(Stiff brush to clear the debris) the moss in the cracks will come back.

xyz123

If you can spend the money and confirm there are no buried services in ur driveway, then look at decorative cobblestones. its basically very thick layer of concrete with derocative imprint on top as per plenty of designs available. we had it done by previous owners of house in 2003 and 12 years later, not a chance of a single weed growing.....but remember if ever you need to take it off, its royally painful..

DRP

worth a look at the planning portal if you're changing your drive...planning permission sometimes required.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/pavingfrontgarden/

Jonesya

You might want to look at pattern imprinted concrete - done well it looks very good and you don't have any gaps for thing to grow in so weed free.