Drive-ways

Block Paving
Block paving has been THE growth area in the UK Paving Industry over the last 10-15 years. Mass production techniques have reduced the prices of manufactured blocks to a reasonable level, and made this type of paving affordable to most projects. In fact, concrete block paving costs only £3-6 per m² more than plain flags/slabs, when laid to a domestic driveway.

Brick or Block paving can be used anywhere. They look great on drives and will provide many years of service. They can be used to great effect as paths, or patios, or mixed with other paving types to create a unique feature. They are a viable alternative to the more traditional asphalt or macadam surfacing for estate roads, and let's face it, they look a lot better than tarmac or plain concrete. They are even being used in areas of exceptional loads, such as airport taxi-ways, docks and freight yards.

The design possibilities enabled by the use of these relatively small paving units are limited only by your imagination. If you can "see it in your mind's eye", then it can probably be constructed from block or brick paving.

Tarmac / Concrete

Tarmac

Tarmac, properly referred to as bituminous macadam or "Bitmac" for brevity, is often thought to be the cheapest method of surfacing a driveway or forecourt, but for smaller areas it can work out quite expensive, and the red tarmac can be more expensive than block paving. Tarmac has become a popular, although technically incorrect, term for both bitmac and for asphalt used to surface pavements, highways and even internal floors.

Tarmac is suitable for areas to be trafficked by vehicles, such as drives and forecourts, and can be used for paths, although we are not overly keen on using tarmac for garden paths. The wearing course (the uppermost surface) can be 'coloured' by using a coloured binder, often with coloured aggregates, or by incorporating coloured, coated chippings into a HRA wearing course. In general, all tarmac should be machine laid by an paver machine except where it would be impossible/impractical to use a paver. Such exceptions include small areas (such as some private driveways), confined spaces and footpaths. On private works, the contractor will ascertain which is the most appropriate laying method to use. In most cases, the finish achieved with machine-laid bitmac is far superior to hand-laid material.

Concrete

Concrete is often overlooked as a potential pavement surface, mostly because of its lack of colour or interest, although the decorative patterned concrete is becoming more popular. Plain concrete can be very useful in areas where a decorative look is not required, such as caravan hardstandings, shed and garage bases or dog kennels. It is utilitarian and quite cheap. By combining plain concrete with a decorative edging, such as a brick edging, it can be made to look quite attractive.

Modern concrete technology has led to the development of fibre reinforced concretes that create high-strength pavements without the need for steel reinforcement mesh. Your local ready mixed concrete supplier will advise on the most suitable type and strength of concrete for your project.