What is the best type of driveway?

[blackcloud]

Hi all

Can anyone please recommend the best type if drive way to get? We currently have a monoblock but it's sunken in places and want to get a new driveway.

I really hate the weeds that come in between the monoblocks so wanted to maybe get concrete.

I got a quote from a company who said monoblock £2,500 and concrete £3,500

He said that if we get concrete there's a risk it can crack but he would put something under it so that won't happen.
He said that I would need to treat it with something after 6 months, can't remember what for and then again maybe 10 years time. Not sure if that was to stop it cracking or for weeds, can't remember..

So just want advice please?

 

[jj4091]

It depends what your priorities are if you want it just to be functional or decorative and functional. If it is just the former then properly laid tarmac is as good as anything for light weight vehicle access and probably cheaper than concrete. Plain concrete laid properly with rebar mesh and stress cuts is probably the strongest and hardest wearing, and I think what your quote might be for. It needs little maintenance other than cleaning perhaps with a pressure washer. Coloured imprinted concrete combines strength and looks but needs cleaning and re-sealing every so often depending on usage. This may also be what your quote is for but it seems cheap unless you have a very small driveway. You should not have a problem with weeds or cracking with any of these methods apart from perhaps where it meets walls etc. Whatever you decide get at least 3 quotes and ask for them in writing quoting the exact method of construction they will use. If they offer to do it cheaper for cash don't use them. There is also something called resin bonded and resin bound surfacing but having recently researched this it is not something I would recommend as it appears the decorative benefits wear off in time.

 

[Cheslea2010]

If your blocks have sunk this suggests an issue with the sub base which will need rectifying first. Any decent contractor will point this out. Resin based gravels look nice although they are on the pricier end of the scale. You could also go down the gravel grid route which gives a gravelly aesthetic but with much better strength and resistance to movement.

 

[blackcloud]

Thanks all.
I don't care how it looks. I just want it to be the strongest and longest lasting least maintenance as possible driveway. Which would that be and what would need to be done to ensure this? Ie certain procedures etc?

Is the gravelly aesthetic little bits of gravel ontop?

What do I need to ask them to make sure is done underneath to rectify how the driveway is sunken?

When you say properly laid tarmac do you mean concrete?

Please see pics of the driveway currently.

Thanks all

 

[Cheslea2010]

It looks like the sub base was not laid deep enough. This is easily rectified by lifting the blocks, digging deeper and adding more sub base. Why not just lift the blocks you already have, sort the sub base out and re-lay? It would be relatively cheap to do. Block paving is used in haulage yards as well as domestic situations, so is plenty strong enough. Provided it is laid correctly it is incredibly strong and should last indefinitely.

 

[aveatry]

Thanks all.
I don't care how it looks. I just want it to be the strongest and longest lasting least maintenance as possible driveway. Which would that be and what would need to be done to ensure this? Ie certain procedures etc?

Is the gravelly aesthetic little bits of gravel ontop?

What do I need to ask them to make sure is done underneath to rectify how the driveway is sunken?

When you say properly laid tarmac do you mean concrete?

Please see pics of the driveway currently.

Thanks all

Is it just the photo or is the pathway in the street also sunk in the same place as the driveway blocks
And wont the OP have to lay a permeable surface now due to regs

 

[Cheslea2010]

Block paving still comes under SUDS regulations for permeability provided certain sub base materials are used. Usually a 4-20mm Clean Stone is used for the sub-base followed by 2-6mm for the laying course (instead of Sharp Sand). 1-4mm Jointing Aggregate is then used for brushing in rather than Kiln Dried Sand.

 

[aveatry]

So he wont be abled to replace it with concrete or tarmac then

 

[Cheslea2010]

So he wont be abled to replace it with concrete or tarmac them

Totally depends on the Local Authority. Different rules in different areas.

 

[Wayners]

I have gravel.
Neighbour has a red patterned concrete drive. I think that's the best. Just put some cable conduit under it.
I do like resin bond drives though. Definitely worth looking at but not very popular in the UK yet.
Not keen on block paving myself..

Gravel is the cheapest though

 

[aveatry]

I have looked at a few around my way who have had the resin and it seems to be wearing from where the car keeps hitting the same spot. Also It will be a nightmare to keep clean with a jet wash. I am leaning towards the hexagonal mesh with chippings but the mesh always seems to end up geting exposed.
Wouldn't go with block paving, to much weeding to do.

 

[blackcloud]

Thanks all.
What do others think overall is the best type of driveway?
Ie no weeding (so for certain not monoblock).
Least maintenance and longest and strongest.
What would I need to ask companies to ensure they do?

Is there a certain type of driveway that the council will not allow me to have?

 

[noseall]

Thanks all.
What do others think overall is the best type of driveway?

Tarmac - all day. We had ours done years ago by a good company (Dawkes of Stafford) and don't regret a second of it. I did all the prep i.e. framed the perimeter with solid blue best soldier bricks and laid the MOT. Their guys came and added more MOT and compacted the drive with a big heavy vibrating roller. Base coat and wearing coat added, job done.

 

[23vc]

Is there a certain type of driveway that the council will not allow me to have?

If it’s more than 5sqm and is non-permeable, ie not gravel or permeable block paving, you may need to make sure it drains to a soakaway or bed, not the existing drains. I get the impression it’s not particularly enforced tho.