Block paving has a seamless, high-end finish. It is a fully customisable way to create a new driveway, parking bay, garden path or frontage – but one that is surprisingly economical and often requires a smaller budget than you might require for alternatives like paving slabs!
The standout advantages of block paving aren’t solely cost-related. They also include its resilience and durability as a tough, weed-resistant paving solution that requires very little upkeep and can last for years without developing cracks or deviations.
Today, we’ll discuss the many reasons you may wish to consider block paving, how it compares to traditional surfacing like tarmac, and share some insights into why permeability is a significant factor when picking a cost-effective option.
Why Has Block Paving Become in High Demand for Driveway Installations?
Conventionally, homeowners had the choice between tarmac or concrete when laying a patio or new driveway. The issue is that both come with caveats and drawbacks that can mean the seemingly low initial cost multiplies when the driveway or path starts showing signs of wear and tear.
While concrete pavers remain widely available and can be suited to a range of projects, the challenges we often see include:
- The need to keep replacing concrete slabs and joints, since concrete expands and contracts with the temperature and can crack when the ground underneath shifts.
- A lack of flexibility, especially within larger concrete slabs, which means the joints become damaged, and deviations develop.
- Short lifespans for tarmac drives, often down to sitting surface water and cracks.
- Restrictions in terms of space and design, with minimal options to tailor the colour or finish of the surfacing, and complications when fitting tarmac drives in smaller spaces.
Both concrete and tarmac can break down due to water damage, exposure to sunlight and heat, vehicle oil leaks, and weaknesses in the substrate or binders used. This typically means ongoing maintenance, even when using premium concrete pavers, which come at a not inconsiderable cost.
However, all of these aspects aside, the big reason many homeowners opt for block paving is the aesthetics they can achieve and the fact that block paving works in literally any space, whether a compact front garden, a set of steps, or a larger driveway area.
How Can We Customise Block Paved Driveways to Your Property or Design?
Block paving is one of the most versatile surfacing systems, because the huge array of paving blocks, sizes, finishes, colours and textures means homeowners can pick any shade or sizing that suits the period and style of their home – from standard brindle paving with red, brown and grey shades to matte black, pale natural stone and stained pavers that can be customised to any colour.
The flexibility of block paving doesn’t extend only to the type of paving used, but also to the patterns and layouts we can use when installing your block paving.
Because each block is positioned individually, you could opt for a herringbone pattern with a classic, timeless V-shape, create circular paving around flower beds and curbs, or opt for stretcher bond paving, which looks similar to the uniform way bricks are laid in a wall, with each row overlapping the one beneath.
Homeowners wishing to make a statement can even design a modern geometric pattern with diamond or hexagon-shaped block paving bricks. Our paving specialists can, of course, help you visualise how each pattern would look to enable you to make decisions around your final layout.
Using individual pavers also provides added strength, which is one of the reasons block paving is more durable than alternatives. When, for instance, you drive your car over the paving, that weight is distributed over multiple smaller surface areas, rather than putting pressure on one larger slab.
This ensures that custom block paving remains stable and hard-wearing over time and is considerably less exposed to cracking.
Why Is Permeability So Important When Picking Paving Materials?
We touched on permeability earlier, and this is key to the longevity and cost-efficiency of block paving.
Permeability means water and moisture can filter through the paving and away through the soil below. During the installation process, we analyse the permeability of the soil underneath and lay a substrate depending on the soil conditions – usually using crushed stone to a pre-calculated depth.
In practice, that means that water cannot collect on the driveway during heavy rain or humidity and instead naturally passes through a soakaway system. Water is responsible for a myriad of maintenance issues, eroding grouting and cement, causing wear and tear to the edging of your paving, and creating a slip hazard when standing water freezes in the winter.
In some areas covered by Sustainable Urban Drainage System regulations, driveways must be permeable or have drainage installed if the drive is over five square metres, given how important permeability is to reducing flooding.
At the same time, you’ll find that weed growth is minimal since the substrate underneath acts as a protective layer to stop moss and weeds from growing up through the gaps between the pavers.
If, at some point in the future, you see damage to your block paving, such as staining after prolonged exposure to oil, this is significantly cheaper and quicker to fix. There is no need to patch over deviations or pull up whole sections of the drive because individual pavers can be removed and replaced without unnecessary stress or cost.
Expert Advice on Block Paving Installations and Designs
As we’ve seen, block paving is a surprisingly cost-effective driveway option. It provides long-lasting benefits in terms of reduced maintenance, lower exposure to damage, water permeability, and far less chance of needing to pay for repairs.
Homeowners interested in learning more about the block paving options for their driveway or patio, keen to compare quotations for various driveway materials, or who would like to see examples of our block paving work, can contact the Cotswold Paving and Landscaping team at any time or can review our project galleries at their convenience.