Driveways - Imprinted Concrete or Block Pave?

pjrouse

I'm contemplating getting our driveway sorted next year (its currently a horrible pinky tarmacadam thats well past it's sell by date) and am looking at the various options and trying to figure out a budget.

I know block paving looks nice to begin with but my folks have had it for yrs and now their driveway is a sunken, weed infested and oil stained mess.

Imprinted concrete looks a good compromise as it's not to bad to look at, easy to keep clean and weed free.

Having never gotten quotes for this kind of thing before and knowing the types of people involved in doing driveways or any form of tarmaccing I'm reluctant to ring people for advice so thought I would throw it open to the forum. Anyone got any experiences of having their driveways done that they would card to share?

I'm also looking to steal part of the front lawn (not all of it) to expand the drive slightly - are there any planning permission issues I need to be aware of?

Thanks

Paul

cattie

Block paving does need to be kept weed free, but is easily done with either a proprietory weedkiller, or the cheaper option of salt. If your parents drive has sunk, then the base wasn't prepared properly.

A few of the people in my area have the imprinted concrete, but I think as with any paving company you need to be careful as I've noticed that some of this kind of paving has the colour peeling off, making it look rather tatty.

If you use a reputable company then whatever your choice it should look good for many years to come.

economiser

I have seen imprinted concrete with cracks, as Cattie says make sure you use some reputable if you opt for this. Also if you do need to lay a pipe or cable underneath you can do this, though not easily, with blocks but not with imprint.

vansboy

NEITHER!!

Have the old surface broken up & if it's deep enough, compacted & covered in shingle.

Much cheaper, more easy to maintain & lets the water drain into the ground better.

I mentioned this on a previous post & it was pointed out that CORRECTLY laid & drained solid surfaces, will allow water to go where it should, as well!

VB

Doozergirl

Imprinted concrete does crack. I've viewed property where it had cracked and then rented a property where there were stress fractures occuring, despite the concrete being laid in sections with some sorts of flexible filler.

At least with block paving you can bring it up and relay for whatever reason.

roswell

What about a lawn drive ?

There was a company selling something like this http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/0-8mx1-2m-grass-protector

But more heavey duty as a perminant drive way.
Then just mow it occasionaly ?

adandem

We have block paving with clay pavers. It doesn't fade and the blocks can be turned over and used on the other side if they get stained.

We have had 2 drives done with block paving and have never had a problem with sinking, puddles or weeds etc.

I have to say I'm not a huge fan of concrete, IMO it looks a bit artificial. I've seen a house with a sign on the concrete drive warning visitors that the drive is very slippy. But as I say, that's just my opinion;)

Loobysaver

We had block paving done 2 years ago. We had ours done by a professional whereas my neighbour did his himself.

The difference between the two?

Our neighbours has sunk, has puddles when it rains and is covered in weeds.

Ours has a few weeds growing round the edges, but we just pull them up as they appear - not hassle at all really. It hasn't sunk at all even though we have 2 cars parked on it and have recently had skips on the drive.

I would recommend block paving over concrete imprints as at least block paving is easy to pull up if needed.

Nyx_2

Ours is tarmac and it`s an awfull mess.
The previous owner has laid it on top of paving slabs and allsorts, i`m interested in what people think to having it broken up and slabs laid where the wheels of the car go and then grassing the rest to give it a bit more charachter.
Black tarmac looks nice when laid properly but i too have seen problems with both block paving and imprinted concrete and as they are both so evpensive i`m looking for a cheaper alternative.

adandem

When we had our drive done, we had numerous quotes for tarmac as we thought it would be cheaper. The block paving cost £150 more. We were amazed. That's with a very good local company not a cowboy outfit too.

vansboy

If you do the block paving choice, there is the Marshalls Register - the suppliers of the blocks - I understand that they, themselves, warrant the work, if your contractor is registered with them.
http://www.marshalls.co.uk
Something to think of if it did have any problems, later on.

VB