Driveway Installers

If you believe a driveway is just the thing for your property, and you have ample space to put one, you'll now need to decide what style of driveway you're going to build. You'll undoubtedly already be aware that there are a number of different types of driveway available and not every one of these will necessarily be of interest to you. If you are working to a tight spending budget your choices may be limited to some degree. The makeup and design of your driveway might also be impacted by the size and layout of your garden area.

If you take a quick stroll around, you'll see all the various styles of driveway that other folks have put in, and maybe get some inspiration for what your own drive could look like. There's a fair chance that on your travels you will notice 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 area suits, you ought to be able to choose from 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 may imagine that planning permission is only necessary for significant ventures like extensions and loft conversions, but that is not automatically true. Driveways are actually covered by a number of rules and regulations, and these are applicable on a national basis rather than just being locally binding. These rules only apply to FRONT gardens at this moment. Since 2008 driveway installations in front gardens in the British Isles have been covered by the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which was introduced by the Labour government.

A driveway of more than 5m2, that is being installed in a front garden will be subject to the SuDS legislation. In order for your driveway to be SuDS compliant it must be made of a permeable (porous) material which allows the rainwater to soak through it. Materials that are in line with SuDS would include: gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock. If you reckon that the Sustainable Drainage Systems regulations will affect your new driveway in TOWN, you can get full details here - SuDS

Some folks may be tempted to have a stab at installing their own driveway, particularly if they relish a bit of hard graft and are good at do-it-yourself. But nobody should consider this as an easy process, because there is a whole lot of preparation work involved besides actually laying the driveway, including doing rubbish removal, humping materials and digging out. If you are in any doubt about your ability to accomplish a project such as this, it would perhaps be best to contact a professional driveway specialist.

Trustworthy tradespeople are sometimes not that easy to get hold of in relation to doing this kind of task, therefore you need to be cautious and choose the right contractor or person. There are lots of rogue traders and cowboys out there who'll gladly take your cash and do a crappy job (or even no work at all in some instances!). It's worth forking out a bit more money to get a proper job, instead of taking a risk with a poor quality worker merely to save yourself a couple of quid. If a locally based driveway contractor has been operating in and around your area for a number of years, it's plausible to believe that they'll be dependable, and a good choice for your installation project.

When screening paving contractors for your driveway, you need to 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).

It's not necessary to be too pushy or aggressive with this questioning, seeing as what you are really trying to achieve is get a perception of what sort of tradesperson that you're going to be working with. It is safe to consider they are honest and reliable if they are perfectly happy to talk about all your concerns and answer all these questions. If questions of this sort invoke a hesitant or hostile response, then you should be doubtful of their credibility, and perhaps look for someone better.

Picking a decent tradesman is crucial, because should you manage to hire a reliable driveway installer, they'll not only do an excellent job, but also give you guidance about the most appropriate materials, style and location for your new driveway. Having a specialist on hand will mean that all the planning, preparation and design is covered before any real physical work starts.

Gravel Driveways

When going over the various different kinds of driveway you might choose to settle on the standard simplest and most economical, which is gravel. Despite their inherent simplicity gravel driveways can be an exceptionally attractive solution, particularly in a rural setting. Gravel is available in a host of sizes and colours, so you should not have any trouble locating one that looks amazing in your garden. For gravel driveways to be effective they need a solid base layer of hardcore, and firmly-bedded, substantial edging. If you want to end up with a really high quality gravel driveway, you must make certain that three or four separate layers are put down, with each and every one individually tamped and left to settle for a couple of days before the next one is laid. You won't need to apply for planning permission with a gravel driveway, as it will be SuDS compliant regardless of how large it is, or if it's in your front or back garden.

Asphalt Driveways

An asphalt driveway, with its smooth, consistent appearance adds immediate "curb appeal" to any home in. For best outcome ensure you hire a competent asphalt company who will provide you with a driveway that lasts a lifetime does not require much maintenance or after-care. If the local council imposes restrictions that bar non-permeable materials being used on driveways, so as to stop local flooding, a special porous asphalt substrate allows rain to drain away into a sub-grade reservoir.

Asphalt driveways offer outstanding value and asphalt is a durable, strong material that's designed to withstand the freezing and thawing effects of a typical British winter. Asphalt is cheap and simple to repair and maintain, and can be removed if your circumstances change in the future. Actually, asphalt can even be recycled and used elsewhere, and can this be called the most environmentally friendly of the hard driveway products. (Tags: Asphalt Driveway, Asphalt Driveways, Asphalt Driveway Recycling).

Block Paving Driveways

Dozens of driveways have appeared in over the last few years, constructed using the block-paving process, which can be very effective when carried out properly. Forming attractive and interesting patterns, hundreds of purpose-made block paving bricks are butted together to produce a robust, hard-wearing driveway. As soon as the blocks are put in place and firmly tamped down, the gaps are filled using kiln-dried sand which is then rigorously brushed into the joints. After four or five months it is preferable to have your block-paved driveway sealed with a good quality sealant (such as Rycal), this should help to stop weed growth. Block paving can be made very attractive and can be laid several patterns, including herringbone, basket weave, stretcher bond and fan.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: It's also possible to build a SuDS compliant block paving driveway in, if that's what you need. By leaving wider spaces between the blockwork and packing them with a fine aggregate as opposed to the traditional kiln-dried sand, you are able to accomplish a permeable surface that does not require planning permission. (Tags: Block Paved Driveway, Block Paving, Block Paving Driveway).

Natural Stone Driveways

Natural stone is a driveway material that always improves with age. The dense, compact material looks fantastic on a driveway and will provide a lifetime of good service for any motor vehicles you might own throughout the years. The natural colouring and depth of tone gives a unique appearance to a stone driveway, and provides a bespoke look to any garden. When correctly installed, a natural stone driveway has that much desired wow factor that complements any home or business premises.

Driveways made from natural stone not only look great, but they are low maintenance and less at risk of being damaged than paving alternatives. The narrower gaps in between the stones means there is considerably less potential for unwanted weed growth, and the smooth, hard surface is easy to clean. A natural stone driveway from an experienced contractor should be seen as a great investment which will increase the value of your property.

Driveway Cleaning

If your home has already got a driveway, and you are thinking of changing it because it is looking shabby - why not give it a clean instead? Keeping a driveway clean isn't typically a priority for many folks. Nonetheless, from both an aesthetic and maintenance perspective, cleaning your driveway is vital, and this process should be completed on a fairly regular basis, not just once in a while. Weeds and unwanted plant growth can weaken the structure of your driveway with time. If your driveway suffers from existing holes or cracks, these can soon be enlarged, and structural problems could ensue as a consequence.

It is preferable to remove dirt, stains or weed growth from your driveway as soon as possible after you discover them. However, most homeowners wait around for the spring and summer months to power or pressure wash their drives, mainly because moss and weeds are more noticeable at that time of year. Oil, brake fluid and diesel spots from your car can spoil the look of your drive. Therefore it is vital to get rid of them promptly to avoid unsightly staining of your driveway's surface.

To clean your driveway properly you'll require the use of a jet washing machine, and you will also need some other tools and equipment, for instance a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. If you are not clear about cleaning it yourself, or you don't have the proper gear, you can ask your driveway company if they are able to do it, or call on a professional driveway cleaning service.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is an extremely popular surface for driveways on account of its strength and durability. When laid by an experienced driveway company it looks fantastic, requires little or no maintenance and offers excellent weather resistant properties. The sturdiness of a tarmac driveway means it can withstand the daily use of heavier vehicles, like motor-homes and vans, with no ridges or damage being inflicted on the surface.

Tarmac is also great value for money and is available in a variety of colours to fit in with your home and the surrounding areas. You don't have to have a boring, traditional looking drive; it's possible to customise your driveway to the colour of your choice. The installation of a tarmac driveway is comparatively simple and can be achieved by a professional contractor in one day. A lot of property owners pick tarmac over other driveway materials because of its quick installation, low maintenance qualities, surface finish and robustness.

Resin Driveways

Among the most flexible and attractive sorts of driveway that are available today, resin driveways (or resin-bound driveways) are becoming ever more popular and are also SuDS compliant, if that is what you're in need of. Resin driveways can be installed in a wide range of patterns and colours that can be customized to your exact specifications. If you've a pre-existing concrete or tarmac driveway, a brand new resin surface can be laid over your existing one. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a fantastic substitute for block paving, asphalt, concrete or gravel. Generally coming with a long warranty when laid by a reputable installer, a resin driveway should give you good service for years to come. (Tags: Resin Driveways, Resin-Bonded Driveways, Resin-Bound Driveways).

Concrete Driveways

Well suited for building driveways, and a much favoured material for many years, concrete has got the advantage of being hard wearing, strong and largely maintenance-free. When it comes to cost, concrete is about average for driveways, being dearer than gravel or tarmac, but less expensive than block paving and resin. For many folks, the drawback of concrete is its rather drab and boring appearance, but this can be easily remedied by asking for a patterned or imprinted finish. (Tags: Concrete Driveway, Concreted Driveway, Imprinted Concrete Driveways).

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.

Making The Best Impression With Your Home's Curb Appeal

How your home looks, and it's perceived market value, can skyrocket if you have the proper curb appeal. Curb appeal is nothing more than how your house impacts somebody walking by. You can improve the overall appearance of your home without spending too much money; the reason you want to do this is to improve its outward appearance dramatically for others.

Painting is usually what comes to mind when you start wondering what you can do to modernize your curb appeal. Even though this may sound like the place to start, you might need to think twice. Take a close look at the paint, and if it is not too weathered looking or chipping away, and you do not mind the color; you could always get a power washer and give it a thorough cleaning. This is a lot easier and less expensive than a paint job, and the results can be almost as impressive. It is unbelievable how filthy your home can get without you even knowing it is happening. There are many places that will rent the power washers, in a wide range of prices, or you may decide to find a person to do it for you. Don't forget to hit every exterior on your property, including any decks, sheds or garage doors.

People that drive by should see a home that is joyful and cozy, something that you should make a priority as you improve your curb appeal. Spending lots of money on this project really is unnecessary; the main thing you want to consider is what you actually want to do. Your house should call out to people visually, which means you ought to have plants, flowers, and a few ferns to improve its external visual appeal. Choose a few specific locations (windowsills, front porch, etc.) that you think would benefit from adding foliage to the front of your home. Wicker furniture, even wrought iron outdoor chairs and tables, will make the entire front of your home look very livable. Even the lawn decorations can spruce up the front of your house; if overdone, it can detract from everything else.

Exuding curb appeal is equally significant when the stars are out as it is when the sun up. When you have your home lit appropriately, your home will stand out. Make sure you have bright porch lights, with all the bulbs in good working order. After the sun goes down you can look out at your garden if you put in some ornamental lighting in that area. Exterior lights can be found in many styles, such as old fashioned lanterns or modern solar lights. When it is gloomy and the weather is wet, daytime or nighttime, lights like these will send out a message exuding safe shelter to your friends and impending home buyers.

Many components can be involved in curb appeal, therefore it is wise to think about every angle of your residence. Create a list then follow it up with priorities, provided there are multiple things that need your attention. Afterward, make a time frame of working on these problems, regardless of whether you hire someone or do the work yourself. The above-mentioned tips for creating an enhanced curb could point you in the correct way, and maybe aid you in coming up with your own plans.

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

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• Driveway Services
• Gravel Driveways
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• Asphalt Driveways
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• Driveway Installation
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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.

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