Quality concrete block pavers cheaper than Drivesys.

[GettingOnWithItAll]

I’m looking at replacing our concrete drive, roughly 3.5 x 6 m, and associated paths, roughly 10 x 1 m, a total of 31 m2. My wife likes a brindle with black edging. The house is a standard 1930s semi in the suburbs.

I dislike concrete block pavers for the way they deteriorate in colour and texture. I read good reports of Marshall’s Drivesys but was gobsmacked by the price: roughly 4 times that of their standard block pavers and a difference of around £2,000 for my 31 m2. Their colours are limited too.

I have no specialist dealer in easy range and the local builders merchants such as Travis Perkins are clueless, just referring me to brochures.

Is there a block paver resistant to deterioration that isn’t so expensive?

FWIW I’ve had a look at traditional pavers too, but am concerned amongst other things that our drive is on a slope of more than 1:10 and I believe they are slippy in the wet. I also looked at stone, but finding a good choice (thick enough, not soft, not easily marked) has been difficult.

 

[^woody^]

Is there a block paver resistant to deterioration that isn’t so expensive?

Yeah. Its called clay, and one of the reasons it costs more is because it lasts longer.

 

[GettingOnWithItAll]

Thanks. I like the idea of clay block pavers but I’m concerned about their being slippy when wet. Also I can’t find a professional installer near me - they all seem to do just concrete blocks - should I go that route (I’d like to do it all myself, possibly on top of the existing concrete, but my wife has her doubts about the workload). I’ve done a large patio in limestone slabs, have my own cement mixer and have the time (long story). My nearest supplier is 50 miles away and a quick trip isn’t on.

 

[^woody^]

TBH, I prefer the aged look to the new look - even for my clothes and car - except for any moss on my jeans

Anyway, the drives I did nearly 30 years ago have held their colours well and aged nicely. Marshalls and Bradstone IIRC. I would suspect that if you stick to the main manufacturers who will have some sort of quality system and warranty, then you wont get any better than that. But it may be just the same for the no-name block makers.

The one thing that guarantees to take the colour and surface away is jet washing. Avoid that at all costs, as the more you do it, the more you have to do it, and the dyed granules get blown out, to leave exposed large pebbles and voids to fill with dirt and moss.

You can get resin "anti slip" clear coatings for pavers, and I would suspect that these would prevent fading too. Have a look for some of those products.

 

[GettingOnWithItAll]

Again, thanks.

Bradstone? My wife likes their Woburn.

I’m shying away from general coatings as I’m concerned about their being slippy in the wet. The anti-slip ones have mixed reviews and seem to require annual renewal to keep their effectiveness.

I was looking to avoid jet washing the surface of any paver jointed with sand, albeit more for the hassle of replacing the sand. I’m happy to joint blocks with mortar; I just think of the money I’m saving from not spending weeks in the pub.