Peeps

Thinking about getting the rest of extension done in new year which will mean the driveway (and thence the sidepath and patio) will need doing.

Currently have reddish tarmac and want a change. Thinking of block paving though keep seeing probs (such as sinkage) - though obviously depends on who and how laid. Also have seen imprinted concrete.

Any thoughts, preferences etc; all comments welcome

Cheers

ATB

Simon

With block work, if you do get sinkage then you can lift a few locks and sort it. With imprinted concrete your buggered. Also imprinted concrete can be lethal when its icy.

If you do go block work, make sure they dig down plenty to stop any possible sinkage and put down a heavy duty anti weed mat/cloth then put hardcore on top.

block paving is fine if done right - mine is shite because the guy i bought the house off got gypsies to lay it and there isnt enough subbase under it - none in places. You need 6 inch all over, which is a serious number of skips of soil at £140 a time. Hence why they skimp.

Imprinted colour concrete looks good...



It can look as good as block paving but as you see above can look just ok...

Below looks better..

For block paving you need good side support too, otherwise the blocks will spread. Use good deep edging concreted in.
Mine was done with a very good base but poor sides so it was buggered when I had all of the heavy stuff in bringing bricks and readymix for the extension

I have had block paving down for 5 years now. Little sign of movement. I used 6" of well compacted hardcore using a good heavy vibrating roller. As said a weedproof matting down first. Finished job directly proportionate to effort made on preparation of the site. You can do it yourself with a bit of help, but it can be expensive to get a good contractor in. I would use again for sure.

When I had our drive done with block paving, the builder put a fair bit of concrete down, followed by a layer of sand and crushed glass - apparently it's more stable than pure glass, and cheaper.

You may need to check with your local council depending on what area you are covering and with what materials. This is because of the issue of drainage of rainwater. Some councils are hot on this and others aren't, but you don't want to have to dig up anything you may have just put down!

Cheers, Nick