[Broncho]

I’ve got around 150sqm of driveway that is currently block paved, there’s nothing really wrong with them but they’re probably at a point where I’d like to change them to something more in keeping with the style of the house.

I’m either thinking black or very dark grey block pavers or black imprinted concrete.

This will wrap around the house and will also make a new patio at the back so it’s all one material all of the way round.

All I really know is block pavers are a pain in the ass to maintain but will potentially last longer but the imprinted concrete should be less maintenance but I may slip in it and break my back :

A house round the corner has the exact black imprinted I’m thinking of and it does look really good!

[mikeoz]

Resin Bounded driveway mate...no weeds recommended ..You can pick a number of colours and edge with brick etc...

https://staging.totalresindriveways.com/gallery/

[MashinBenzin]

Double width driveway that sort of fits two cars each side and is pretty wide - two discos would sit comfortably with doors open. Hard to say where it ends as it's a private cul-de-sac with driveways running seamlessly off it. Whole lot, including the close, block paved apart from two squares of tarmac under the cars.

It's a bit of a pain as if you replaced one drive it would ruin the look of the whole close. Also a pain as it is very licheny/mossy at our end due to woodland. I get quite jealous when I see fresh looking block paving

Also masses of block paved patio out the back. I've been idly wondering this week whether it's possible to deck over it. Would be a lot cheaper than repaving and could be jetwashed and coated a couple of times a year to protect from the woodland greening.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Resin Bounded driveway mate...no weeds recommended ..You can pick a number of colours and edge with brick etc...

https://staging.totalresindriveways.com/gallery/

Love that

[ZedsRedBaby]

I used to know a guy that did imprinted concrete. I think it has to be re-treated every year or two doesn't it? It's also impermeable so with 150sqm you'll definitely need decent drainage putting in.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Resin Bound is the way here too.

Parents had one done. But just be VERY careful who you get. They had a large company do it, absolute disaster. Luckily they noticed the work was sub par (Poor foundations) before the resin went down.

Had them rip the lot up and start again.

But yeah, be very careful as to who does it. Foundations are key with resin as movement will make the resin crack.

It looks perfect now it's done though, really easy to maintain and they get a lot of comments on it.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Resin Bounded driveway mate...no weeds recommended ..You can pick a number of colours and edge with brick etc...

https://staging.totalresindriveways.com/gallery/

God that’s soulless. It’s like the rubberised stuff you get in playparks. Not for me I’m afraid...

[Watsey]

One of the benefits of block pavings is that it can move without looking too bad. Imprinted concrete and resin-bonded look shit if they crack.

Downsides of blocks are, obviously, that they can be a nightmare for moss/weeds/grass growing in the joints.

I'm in the process of ordering cleaner, kiln dried sand (which I'll mix some cement into) and impregnating sealer (for the first time). It's time for the bi-annual deep clean, which is a pig of a job even with a decent pressure washer and a rotating patio cleaning head.

I'm hoping that an impregnating sealer will make a big difference this time.

[NotGotABimmer23]

We have stamped concrete, looks decent and low maintainance but they are always ruined by the cracks that allow for movement. Personally think blocked paved looks the best by some distance. Don't like tarmac or that resin above.

This looks great imo, the real version of our stamped concrete:

[Broncho]

That is for the replies, this picture is resin and is the same type of house colours we have, this is something that'd I'd be in the market for, I think it looks great!

[R0B]

We moved to our current home last September and the driveway is one of many things that wasn't ever cared for. It's block paved and about 3 car width - 4 if I need it by removing a small lawn area.

I was going to jet-wash it myself but got talking to me neighbour who's driveway looks brand new. It's actually nearly 20 years old but they use a proper company to protect it.

I got onto said firm who quoted £180 to chemically de-weed, clean, re-sand and seal it. They then charge £30 per quarter to come and top up the chemical side of things this meaning it never needs washing again.

He has done the first stage but then Covid kicked-in. Which is a shame but it'll be done at some stage.

Anyway the moral of this boring story is that there are firms out there who specialise in restoration and protection so worth considering that option - everyone.

I'll post before and after pictures when it's completed - parts of it are almost black and the guy is apparently genuinely excited about the results on this one.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by R0B

We moved to our current home last September and the driveway is one of many things that wasn't ever cared for. It's block paved and about 3 car width - 4 if I need it by removing a small lawn area.

I was going to jet-wash it myself but got talking to me neighbour who's driveway looks brand new. It's actually nearly 20 years old but they use a proper company to protect it.

I got onto said firm who quoted £180 to chemically de-weed, clean, re-sand and seal it. They then charge £30 per quarter to come and top up the chemical side of things this meaning it never needs washing again.

He has done the first stage but then Covid kicked-in. Which is a shame but it'll be done at some stage.

Anyway the moral of this boring story is that there are firms out there who specialise in restoration and protection so worth considering that option - everyone.

I'll post before and after pictures when it's completed - parts of it are almost black and the guy is apparently genuinely excited about the results on this one.

I don't see how he can do it for that price. I've been researching decent products and it'll cost be more than £180 just to buy the stuff, for a driveway of ~60M2.

Obviously he'll have access to trade prices, but it does look like exceptionally good value.

I hope it goes well. Will be interested to see your before and after pics.

[Isow]

Gravel is great.
Easy maintenance.

[Danny Fireblade]

Originally Posted by Watsey

One of the benefits of block pavings is that it can move without looking too bad. Imprinted concrete and resin-bonded look shit if they crack.

Downsides of blocks are, obviously, that they can be a nightmare for moss/weeds/grass growing in the joints.

I'm in the process of ordering cleaner, kiln dried sand (which I'll mix some cement into) and impregnating sealer (for the first time). It's time for the bi-annual deep clean, which is a pig of a job even with a decent pressure washer and a rotating patio cleaning head.

I'm hoping that an impregnating sealer will make a big difference this time.

I pressure washed my block paving and using a Kranzle with the dirt killer lance head it made very short work of it. Using the right kit makes the job so much easier.

[TouringPleb]

I know some guys who do driveways at great prices. Well, it starts at a great price but then will go up and up..

We had a lady who was charged £95,000 for a drive! Very kindly they even offered to take her to the bank to get payment, cash only.

[JR1664]

Originally Posted by Watsey

One of the benefits of block pavings is that it can move without looking too bad. Imprinted concrete and resin-bonded look shit if they crack.

Downsides of blocks are, obviously, that they can be a nightmare for moss/weeds/grass growing in the joints.

I'm in the process of ordering cleaner, kiln dried sand (which I'll mix some cement into) and impregnating sealer (for the first time). It's time for the bi-annual deep clean, which is a pig of a job even with a decent pressure washer and a rotating patio cleaning head.

I'm hoping that an impregnating sealer will make a big difference this time.

Fair play. I did mine at the beginning of the lockdown - two day job. I only had one bag of kiln dried sand so ended up drying a couple of spare bags of builders sand that did the job. Interesting about mixing in cement to the kiln dried - never thought of that.

Needless to say I've had two block paved drives since 1994 - no matter what they all go the same way.

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I know some guys who do driveways at great prices. Well, it starts at a great price but then will go up and up..

We had a lady who was charged £95,000 for a drive! Very kindly they even offered to take her to the bank to get payment, cash only.

Did they happen to have very similar haircuts and offer to drive her in a white Transit which was towing a caravan by any chance...

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by R0B

We moved to our current home last September and the driveway is one of many things that wasn't ever cared for. It's block paved and about 3 car width - 4 if I need it by removing a small lawn area.

I was going to jet-wash it myself but got talking to me neighbour who's driveway looks brand new. It's actually nearly 20 years old but they use a proper company to protect it.

I got onto said firm who quoted £180 to chemically de-weed, clean, re-sand and seal it. They then charge £30 per quarter to come and top up the chemical side of things this meaning it never needs washing again.

He has done the first stage but then Covid kicked-in. Which is a shame but it'll be done at some stage.

Anyway the moral of this boring story is that there are firms out there who specialise in restoration and protection so worth considering that option - everyone.

I'll post before and after pictures when it's completed - parts of it are almost black and the guy is apparently genuinely excited about the results on this one.

Let me know the details - I can keep him busy with a parking area and a patio area, not very old but be good to get it sorted and treated from early on!

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by Isow

Gravel is great.
Easy maintenance.

And is timeless and classy too imo

[ZedsRedBaby]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I know some guys who do driveways at great prices. Well, it starts at a great price but then will go up and up..

We had a lady who was charged £95,000 for a drive! Very kindly they even offered to take her to the bank to get payment, cash only.

Oh that's lovely. It's nice to know there's still some human kindness around in these difficult times. I bet he could sort that loose roof tile as well, do a lovely job, no bother, it'll last years.

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by Sennen

And is timeless and classy too imo

I quite like gravel, I had it at my last house and my parents have it, problem is my drive is pretty steep and is at the top of a hill, I'd be forever brushing it back up, wouldn't do my cred any good.

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Did they happen to have very similar haircuts and offer to drive her in a white Transit which was towing a caravan by any chance...

No caravan seen but did have a white transit.

Luckily when she went to the bank they have warning triggers for elderly people trying to withdraw large amounts of cash. They called us, stalled them at the bank long enough for us to organise a welcoming committee at the home address.

Four in custody for a multitude of offences, and got the van seized for no insurance.

Turns out they were wanted by police and trading standards in four or five counties.

One of those days you feel good about what you do.