To block pave or Tarmac?

[Don Coffey]

On the face of it a simple question.  The problem is time.  Not time to get the job done but more a case of how the block paving will look in years to come.  The Tarmac is easy maintenance and a few k cheaper but looks ok but nothing more.  The block paving looks well and can enhance the look of the house but I am concerned that as the years go by, the block paving ages badly, weeds take a hold and possible take the look of the house.  I'm not one for lots of maintenance.

Have any of you guys had experience with block paving and your views please.

The total area to be covered is around 700sqm, so really want to make the right decision first time.

Don

[pvr]

Block paving no doubt.

Mine has been down for 13 years now and still looks perfect.

You HAVE to put taram down first so no weeds can grow through. Underneath the hedges I have used the Karcher paving stone cleaner attachment to get rid of the moss, but otherwise it still looks perfect.

[Colin]

Have you thought of concrete ( imprinted to look like block , cobbles , stone ,) and colored to your choice , no weeds ! 

[Don Coffey]

What is taram pvr?

Not looked into concrete, may do a web search now.

Don

[Jayx5]

What about indian sand stone it ages really well and looks a bit different.

[X5Sport]

Our Close is blocked paved and has been down 14 years.  It still looks fine.  The Local Authority come out once or twice a year and spray it to stop any weeds and if necessary we strim the parking bays at our end to further 'discourage' growth.

The blocks were laid on a compacted sand bed about 12" thick - for drainage as the local soil is thick clay - and the blocks were themselves stabilised by use of a vibrating compactor.  Edging stones are used all the way around the edges.  Marshall's are only about half a mile away so no issues with the products and the Close has stood up to daily traffic including delivery trucks.

I think that as long as the right processes and bits are used, it should last for years.

At a guess 'taram' may be a membrane of some sort?

Richard

[snipez999]

Tarmac followed by a top coat of resin.  This is what swill be going down on our new build.  Looks fantastic and has a wide colour palette.  Also no issues with any local council planning regs (drainoff or something like that; to do with permeability and surface water).  Some companies even use recycled materials if you are into the whole green thing.

[Reusch]

Have you thought of concrete ( imprinted to look like block , cobbles , stone ,) and colored to your choice , no weeds !

+1 many many colours and designs and no chance of weeds coming thru make sure you get the right firm to do it and you won't be dissapointed.

[Don Coffey]

Imprinted concrete is a no goer, all the ground work and edging stone is in place and the concrete will be too deep and come up to the hight of the edging stone.  And to be honest, I was shocked at the price, circa £60 sqm.  With 700sqm to do, £42k is not an option.

Block paving is going to be around £15k while a Tarmac drive and block paving pathway will be around £12-13k.

I do like the block paving but want to make sure I don't regrets it in years to come.

Don

[Reusch]

Fooooooooooooooking hell £42,000 smackers Tarmac/block paving it is  .

[Don Coffey]

I took the sqm price from various mainland sites and forums, I have since rang a number of local companies and been quoted £35sqm so £24.5k.  So long as all ground work is done and ready to go.  Still stupidly expensive.

Don

[Nat]

Hi,

Thats some driveway , 700m2.......................

Block paving no issues if foundations done properly and if it sinks you just lift the blocks and pack more sand under it, so very easy to repair.

Weeds can be a problem, regular spraying is the answer.

Make sure the outer bricks/blocks/sets are properly fitted and set as thats what holds the rest in place.

Regards,

Nat.

[535dboy]

Ouch. Grass?

[pvr]

Terram is a breathable membrane that lets water through, but no weeds can come through it.

I used it everywhere under the paving stones and no weeds come through. You might still get some surface weed if you don't drive over it enough (you can just hose it away though).

[X5Sport]

[quote="pvr"]
You might still get some surface weed if you don't drive over it enough (you can just hose it away though).
[/quote]

So it doesn't keep 535dboy out then eh?  Although I suppose the 'hose method' might sort that bit......