Resurfacing a worn-out driveway or building a patio and garden paths will create lasting features to enhance the character and value of your home.

But no matter how appropriate the choice of materials, a paved area can never be an asset to your property unless it is correctly designed, detailed and installed.

Our tips cover both Asphalt and Block Paving for your driveway. Do note however that the contractors we introduce only supply Block Paved Driveways. Block Paving allows you to add real character and value to your home.

Buying a Driveway

The following tips and advice will help you get a professional job.

Ask each Driveway Contractor to visit, survey and measure the site in order to provide a written detailed quote on the work they will do. In particular, check the following details:

• That the contractor will dig out and remove soil, roots and other waste and where appropriate and required, treat the area with a weed killer.
  
• Where the contractor plans for the rainwater from the surface to go.
  
• The final surface will not cover airbricks, water tap/meter traps and that it will be at least 150mm (6") below the Damp Course and will not foul garage doors, gates etc
  
• When asphalt is being used check that it will be laid hot and are not “fluxed”, “cut-back” or “deferred”. These terms describe the use of an oil to soften the asphalt to make it easier to lay but results in a soft surface susceptible to damage particularly in warm weather.
  
• Also when considering a builder/contractor have a look at their previous work even if it takes extra time and inconvenience to do so. It is also good to go by personal recommendation. Ask about the builder's personnel - how did they behave around the home. Did they show respect and consideration for others including the neighbours? Did they clean up at the end of each day?
  
• It is especially important to remember that once work is started it will be difficult to go back on your decision without considerable inconvenience. So take your time and select well.
  
• Avoid offers of avoiding the VAT by paying “CASH” – i.e. not using cheques or credit cards. Not paying VAT means “no paper work” and no guarantee. Plus – if they will cheat on the VAT – what else may they cheat on?

Check each quote and ensure that the following have been covered:

• Removal of any earth or soft ground prior to the construction materials being laid.
  
• Thickness and details of materials to be used are properly described and listed
  
• Full price is quoted (inc VAT) and covers removal of all waste. This is very important as often the cost to remove soils / existing base etc in builders skips can be considerable.
  
• Time taken to complete the work is clearly stated.
  
• For all construction types, compaction of each of the layers, including the block paving after placing, is critical. A powered vibrating roller is suitable for asphalt and the lower layers. For block paving a vibrating plate must be used.

Typical constructions and materials for driveways/hard standings used by cars:

Using Asphalt

• Asphalt is the industry standard term for hot mixed mixtures of aggregate (stone) and bitumen the binding agent. Other terms used are tarmac, bitmac, blacktop, and bitumen macadam.
  
• 150mm thickness of sound well compacted granular sub-base/hardcore.
  
• 60mm compacted thickness of 20mm dense or open graded binder course (base course)
  
• Mixtures are specified in British Standard 4987 "Coated macadam (Asphalt concrete) for roads and other paved areas”

Using Block Paving (Our recommended and favoured method)

• Block paving or pavors are small rectangular bricks commonly made of concrete that are placed on to a level sand bed in a set pattern to form the surface.
  
• 100mm of sound well compacted granular sub-base/hardcore and 35/50mm grit sand for bedding the block paving
  
• Concrete block paving used for domestic applications is usually 50-60mm thick house or engineering bricks are not suitable for use in block paving.
  
• Fine silica sand for filling in the gaps

Note: Both the above typical constructions are examples for indicative guidance only. Your particular application, including the type of traffic using the surface, the existing ground conditions etc may mean some adjustment to the thickness of construction or to the actual materials used.

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