Driveway Installers

If you think that a driveway is just the thing for you, and you have sufficient space to put one, you will now have to establish what type of driveway you're going to construct. For a number of reasons, not all types of driveway will be of interest to you, and there are naturally many to choose from. Prices will vary appreciably across these various driveway styles, thus your possible options could be more limited if you only have a certain amount of capital to use. The dimensions and layout of your property may also have an affect on your decision.

If you have a quick stroll around, you'll notice all the different designs of driveway that other folks have put in, and perhaps get a bit of inspiration for your own driveway. There is a good chance that on your travels you will see stone resin driveways, concrete driveways, patterned concrete driveways, tarmac driveways, natural flagstone driveways, permeable driveways, asphalt driveways, aggregate driveways, pebble driveways, block paved driveways, and if your garden suits, you ought to be able to select from just about any of these.

What Type of Driveway is Best? Before deciding what type of driveway is right for your property, there are a few things that you will have to take into account. A few details that you would be sensible to think about - 1. Local authority planning permission - is planning permission needed for your driveway? 2. How the land lies - is the area level or sloped? 3. How successfully does your garden drain - does water collect where you're wanting to build your driveway?

You might feel that council planning permission is only necessary for big ventures like loft conversions and extensions, but that's not always true. There are UK-wide regulations addressing the installation of driveways, not just local ones. You'll only need to be concerned with these regulations if you are laying a driveway in your front garden. The law that we are referring to here is the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), which was introduced by the UK government in 2008.

The SuDS legislation applies to driveways in front gardens with an area of over 5 square metres. You won't have to stress about this if you build your driveway from a permeable (porous) substance such as gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock, which will allow the water to pass through and drain away naturally. You can take a look at the SuDS regulations here - Sustainable Drainage Systems

Needless to say it's quite possible for you to lay your own driveway, if you're fairly good at DIY and don't have an issue with a touch of hard work. But you shouldn't suppose that installing a driveway is an easy task, since apart from the laying of the driveway there's a whole lot of rubbish removal, heavy digging and manhandling materials involved in this kind of project. At the end of the day, it may be advisable to contact an established driveway specialist, if you've got any concerns tackling it yourself.

With this kind of work, you've got to be mindful of who you employ, since you obviously need somebody who knows what they are doing. There are plenty of cowboys and rogue traders out there who'll happily pocket your cash and do an substandard job. Even if it means shelling out a little more on the enterprise, you may as well get it done properly by an expert. It would be better to seek out locally based driveway installers who've been working in the area for a number of years.

When assessing these contractors, at the very least you should ask to see a portfolio of earlier projects, ask for some references from previous clients, check that they've got adequate insurance, ascertain how long they've been in business, find out what warranties they offer on their workmanship, ask if they are affiliated with a trade association like ANTSCA (the surfacing trade association).

This shouldn't be an inquisition, but asking these pertinent questions should give you a feeling for the kind of individual that you're potentially going to work with. Any driveway installer in TOWN who is ready to answer all of your questions, and put your mind at rest about the calibre of the work they will be doing, will likely also be honest and reliable. If they act in a uncertain or confrontational way when asked these questions, you can deem that they're less than honest or hiding something - so steer clear.

Identifying a decent tradesman is important, because if you manage to find yourself a reliable driveway installer, they'll not just do a good job, but will also give you guidance on the most suitable location, style and materials for your new driveway. Before any actual work starts your driveway paver will ensure that all the required design, planning and preparation work is looked after.

Gravel Driveways

When considering the various forms of driveway you may choose to favour the ubiquitous least expensive and easiest, which is gravel. In spite of their inherent simplicity gravel driveways can be a really attractive solution, particularly in rural settings. Given that there's such an array of gravel shades and sizes, you shouldn't have any problems locating one that you are happy with. A effective gravel driveway will need a clearly-defined and sturdy edging, and a good substantial base of hardcore. If you want to wind up with a really top notch gravel driveway, you should make sure that three or four separate layers are applied, with each one individually tamped and left to settle for a day before the next one is laid. Irrespective of what size your driveway is, or whether it is in your front or back garden, if it's made from gravel it won't need planning permission, because it will be SuDS compliant.

Asphalt Driveways

An asphalt driveway, with its smooth, consistent appearance gives instant "curb appeal" to any home in. For the best outcome make certain you hire a professional asphalt contractor who will provide a driveway that lasts for many years and needs a bare minimum of maintenance. You can even install permeable asphalt driveways so that rain can drain away into a sub-layer, rather than run off into highway drains, which are known to trigger localised flood risks.

Asphalt driveways are very smartly designed to hold up against anything that typical winters can throw at them, and offer very good value. Asphalt is easily repaired and maintained, and can be removed should your circumstances change in the future. The fact is, asphalt can be recycled and used elsewhere, and can this be called the most eco-friendly of hard driveway materials.

Block Paved Driveways

Over the past decade or so scores of driveways have appeared in built with the block-paved method. Forming attractive and elaborate designs, hundreds of specially designed block paving bricks are butted together to produce a robust and hard wearing driveway. When the blocks have been laid and tamped down, the gaps are filled up using kiln-dried sand which is rigorously brushed into the joints. After 4 or 5 months it might be a good idea to have your block-paved driveway sealed with a premium quality sealant (like Rycal), this should help to stop weed growth. There are several designs in which block paving is laid, including stretcher bond, herringbone, fan and basket weave.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: To comply with SuDS block paved driveways are quite feasible by adjusting the normal technique. Wider gaps than normal are left in between the blocks and instead of the standard kiln-dried sand, these can then be filled with a very fine aggregate material.

Natural Stone Driveways

The characteristics of natural stone means it continually improves as it ages. The compact and dense material looks fantastic on any driveway and will give an entire lifetime of use for any motor vehicles you might own. The depth of tone and natural colouring gives a quintessential appearance to a stone driveway, and offers a bespoke and individual look to any home. When correctly installed, a natural stone driveway has that much desired WOW factor that complements any home or business premises.

Unlike paving alternatives, natural stone driveways are less susceptible to damage and are easier to look after and maintain. The smaller gaps between the stones means there's significantly less chance of unwanted weed growth, and the smooth surface is much easier to clean. You should think of a properly installed stone driveway as an investment on your property's overall value.

Driveway Cleaning

If you're planning to replace an existing driveway because your current one is looking shabby, it would be considerably less costly to clean it, if you think that might help. For a lot of people, keeping their driveway clean is not usually deemed a priority. However, cleaning your driveway is a process that ought to be done on a fairly regular basis, and is essential from both a maintenance and cosmetic perspective. Over time, your driveway's structure can be damaged by weeds, roots and other destructive plant growth. Existing cracks and holes can be widened which can eventually lead to structural problems in your driveway.

It is advisable to remove dirt, stains or weed growth from your drive as soon as you notice them. Although, the springtime and summer is when you most notice the appearance of moss and weeds, you should not wait till them to pressure wash your drive. Spillages from your car such as diesel, oil and brake fluid can blight the attractiveness of your driveway. It is therefore crucial to get them cleaned promptly to avoid a permanent discolouration of your driveway's surface.

If you're cleaning your own driveway, you'll need access to a jet washer, and to do it effectively you will also need some additional tools and equipment, such as a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. A professional driveway cleaning service will be needed if you haven't got the right gear, or are not clear about cleaning it yourself. You might even find that your local driveway company will offer this sort of service.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is a favourite driveway surface on account of its strength and durability. When it is installed by a professional driveway company, tarmac does not need much maintenance, offers superb weather resistant properties and looks terrific. The strength of a tarmac driveway means that it can withstand the daily use of heavier and larger vehicles, like trucks and camper vans, with no ridges or damage being inflicted on the surface.

It offers great value, and tarmac can be coloured to fit in with the surroundings or your property. You do not need to have a dreary, traditional looking drive; you can customise your driveway to a colour of your choosing. The installation of tarmac driveways is comparatively simple and can be achieved by a skilled driveway contractor in a single day. Tarmac really is an ideal material for almost any driveway, because of its low maintenance properties, straightforward installation and resilience.

Resin-Bound Driveways

One of the most popular kinds of driveway these days, resin-bound driveways are permeable and compliant with SuDS. Resin-bound driveways can be custom-made to your precise requirements and come in a wide variety of different patterns and designs. If you have a current concrete or tarmac driveway, a brand new resin-bound surface can be laid over your existing one. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and an awesome alternative to gravel, asphalt, concrete or block paving. Usually coming with an extended warranty when installed by a trustworthy specialist, a resin-bound driveway should give excellent service for many years to come.

Concrete Driveways

A much favoured material for driveways, concrete is strong, durable and needs very little maintenance. Being more costly that gravel or asphalt, but significantly cheaper than some of the other alternatives (i.e. resin or block paving), concrete is an easy choice for many home and business owners. If you find concrete driveways to be quite boring and drab, it is possible to add a patterned or imprinted surface finish to make them look more attractive.

Driveway Tasks

Local driveway installers will likely help with the maintenance of concrete driveways, stone resin driveway installation, the repair of gravel driveways, cheap driveway ideas, grass driveway installation, driveway repair, driveway ideas, driveway replacement, garden patio installations, the building of flagstone driveways, Indian stone driveways, the building of brick driveways, bonded gravel driveways, driveway removal, coloured tarmac driveways, concrete driveway repairs, tar driveways, driveway sealing, shingle driveways, driveway lights, driveway bollards, gated driveways, the laying of aggregate driveways, gravel driveway laying, the maintenance of block paving driveways, driveway maintenance, the laying of concrete driveways, cobbled driveways, stone driveway installation, driveway resurfacing. Driveway providers will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services

Driveway Questions

In the past week or so I've been having a close look at the popular questions folks ask in relation to driveways in Gillingham. Quite a few of our visitors posted some noteworthy enquiries which are relevant to this discussion. The ones I picked out were, "How much weight can driveway hold?" "Does driveway sealer go bad?" "Where can I buy driveway gravel?" "What are driveway markers used for?" "How much does a driveway cost?" "What are the benefits of a concrete driveway?" The majority of these questions will have hopefully been answered on this page, if there are any left to be answered we'll be including a driveway "Q&A" section before long. Our gratitude goes out to Nolan Macdonald, Caroline Welsh, Oliver Beattie and Sheila Southern from Gillingham, for taking time out to send in these questions. It was also awesome to get offerings from Sawyer Tucker in Wouldham, April Exley in Rainham and Reginald Dwyer in Frindsbury.

Your Home's Curb Appeal - How To Enhance It For Less

The curb appeal of your home is very important, especially when you're trying to increase its overall market value. Basically, anyone going by your house is going to perceive it in a certain way. There are many reasons that people focus on curb appeal including showing off their home, trying to sell it, and, more simply, just wanting people to appreciate the house that they live in.

People that have a home with a front lawn can improve the curb appeal of their home with the green grass. Lawns that are small or simple to take care of, whereas larger lawns take quite a bit of energy and focus. It is important that your lawn is mowed and manicured weekly so that it appears beautiful and pristine at all times. It's essential to keep it well trimmed, weeded and frequently watered. It is important to always water your lawn so the dry barren spots do not appear. If they do, applies sod accordingly. You may want to find a landscaper or lawn maintenance company to at least fix any problem areas so your lawn can get a fresh start if it needs one. Aside from this, keep any shrubs or trees on your property looking neat and well trimmed.

Your yards need to be looked at carefully. Are children's toys, tools and hit-or-miss items all over the yards, or do they appear clean and alluring? A considerable influence to curb appeal is the look of your yards. Provided you have a big mess in your yard, the effort to clean it up will be worth it. Take away everything that is in your way as you meander through the yards. Unwanted vegetation or small trees that should be cut are problems that you need to deal with. Provided your children walk away from their toys after playing with them in the yard, educate them in putting them where they belong when they are done.

If you have a long walkway, or even a short one, it should look appealing to those passing by. A paved path, perhaps with flowers or other plants on either side can make the approach to your home more interesting. People that drive-by will definitely be impressed if you put in a new driveway over the old one. Also, the driveway should be very spacious, yet also add an air of security and safety when people drive in. Many times, all you need to do is get a rake out and remove the excess leaves that have built up on the sides. It really depends on the condition of the driveway. And when visitors come, just make them feel at home especially when they arrive in the driveway.

Curb appeal can involve many factors, so it's a good idea to consider your home from every angle. If there are many things that need attention, make a list and then set priorities. Then create a schedule for taking care of these issues, whether you're going to do the work yourself or hire someone. The above suggestions for giving your home more curb appeal can get you started in the right direction, and perhaps help you come up with more ideas of your own.

Searching Online For a Driveway Installer

When looking for any kind of tradesmen these days, the vast majority of householders are inclined to head straight online to simply "Google it". Logic would say that you're seeing this webpage at this moment after you pinpointed it by typing a search phrase into Google, Yahoo or Bing and it appeared on the first page. From time to time the page 1 listings provided aren't exactly what you'd expected when making use of these particular search engines. The majority of householders, when trying to find a driveway expert will visit Google or bing and type "driveways", "Gillingham driveways", "driveway pavers near me" or "driveways". Nevertheless, most of the resulting page one listings on these search engines, as you will shortly discover, are either going to be "pay per click" results or listings for major lead creation sites like TrustaTrader, My Hammer, Checkatrade, Rated People, My Builder or Bark or directories such as Yell, Gumtree, Yelp or Hotfrog. You'll very likely discover the sites of bona fide driveway pavers hidden on page 2 or 3 of the results, outsmarted by the wealthier corporations who can more easily afford SEO. When you are endeavouring to find the most effective person to complete your driveway installation work, it's sensible to explore every technique open to you, so everything supplied by the search process should be reviewed so that you will be able to uncover the ideal driveway installer.

Driveway Installer Services

Find Driveway Pavers in the UK Here

• Driveway Services
• Gravel Driveways
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• Driveway Estimates
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• Tarmac Driveways
• Commercial Driveway Installation
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• Asphalt Driveways
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• Driveway Installation
• Stone Driveways
• Block Paving Driveways
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More Tradespeople: Whilst you may just be looking for someone who can do driveway installation in the UK, you can also find garden clearance in the UK, a builder in the UK, a landscape gardener in the UK, a bricklayer in the UK, SKIP HIRE in the UK, a decking specialist in the UK, a garden designer in the UK, pressure washing in the UK, a fencing contractor in the UK, a gardener in the UK, an electrician in the UK, a carpenter in the UK, driveway cleaning in the UK, a tiler in the UK, a lawn care specialist in the UK, patio laying in the UK, waste removal in the UK, property extension in the UK.

Resin Driveways - Gravel Driveways - Residential Driveway Installation - Cheap Driveways - Concrete Driveways - Commercial Driveway Installation - Driveway Pavers - Driveway Services - Tarmac Driveways