We are looking at re-doing the driveway (cheap concrete by previous owner) and doing a section of the front garden at same time.
So looking at what people have got, why they got it, and any problems encounted.
Tarmac. been down 11 years now, no problems, they guy did prepare the ground well not a quick slap it on.
Downside is it looks a little bland compared to block paving.
Block Paving - durable, no puddles and any that get chipped stained can just be swopped out
I had mine block paved but it is vital it is done properly or it will sink after a short time. Six inches of well compacted hardcore under sand is needed. Materials are cheap but labour can vary a lot. Avoid the cowboys.You can do it yourself but you need to do your homework.
quote:
Originally posted by macc man
I had mine block paved but it is vital it is done properly or it will sink after a short time. Six inches of well compacted hardcore under sand is needed. Materials are cheap but labour can vary a lot. Avoid the cowboys.You can do it yourself but you need to do your homework.
Cobblestones. Been there for 130 years so I've no intention of changing them.
Be aware that the planning rules changed on 1st October 2008 for paving front gardens.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html
"From 1 October 2008 new rules have applied for householders wanting to pave over their front gardens.
You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing which allows water to drain
through, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.
If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do
not provide for the water to run to a permeable area."
Cheers
Mike
We're doing ours just now... can't afford a tarmac road right now - £15k 
So we're just doing a proper compacted hardcore surface that will get us by until we win the lottery!
I was going to put chips on top of the hardcore, but the contractor advised it would be better just to leave it open...
DAY 1
drive
^^ just leave it like that - it looks better than when I drove across it in the focus :lol: 
Printed concrete, durable, hard enough to use trolley jacks on, cleans easily. And most
important, looks good so the wife's happy !
I'm just in the process of getting quotes - my neighbour's drive is attached to mine, so we're doing it as a joint venture.
We're going for tarmac - 4 layers involved! thick layer of hardcore, then a thick layer of coarse tarmac, then a medium grade one, then the
thinner top 'wearing surface'.
It is NOT going to be cheap...
(in the order of £5K).
Compacted gravel and crushed shells...
Pretty useless for car work..
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If you're thinking of doing it yourself (or want to know whether a company is doing it right), it's worth taking a look at http://www.pavingexpert.com/pavguide.htm
Pattern Imprinted Concrete around this neck of the woods is currently between £55 & £60 per sq.m
Phil
Was going to put the mother in law under mine but it made it too bumpy
Concrete if you're going to be jacking cars up on it. Tarmac tends to sink and breaks up if you get oil on it.
quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
Compacted gravel and crushed shells...
Pretty useless for car work..
Driveway
I want to live in your place
Trolly jacks and axle stands dig into tarmac. Don't ask me how I know, just lifted a Mazda 3 to take winter tires off two years ago, holes still there.
I put block paving down 2 years ago.
Really nice job, but not cheap.
We fancied pattern imprinted concrete, had a few quotes, nowt really between them price wise.
We decided on blocks in case there was ever a problem with the services under the drive.
Last year, guess what? Electric main cable failed under the drive.
So pleased I went for blocks, can't tell which ones were lifted.
john
I've just put gravel down our drive as it was way cheaper than tarmac (£350 for 10 tons delivered and poured).
I've got to build a new garage and will probably put a pad of concrete or something down outside it to roll the car out onto.
