Driveway Installers

If you do choose to proceed with having a driveway installed the next thing will be to determine what kind of driveway you want. Driveways come in all sizes and styles and can be made from a range of different materials, some might be more suitable than others. Your options may be limited to some extent if you happen to be sticking to a tight budget. Your final decision may also be affected by the layout and size of your garden.

There are various different styles and designs of driveway, as you'll likely have noticed when walking around. Subject to the layout and geography of your garden you should be able to make a choice from stone resin driveways, concrete driveways, patterned concrete driveways, tarmac driveways, natural flagstone driveways, permeable driveways, asphalt driveways, aggregate driveways, pebble driveways, block paved driveways.

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 think that planning permission is only required for significant ventures like loft conversions and extensions, but that isn't automatically the case. Driveways are actually covered by a number of regulations and rules, and these are applicable on a national basis rather than being just locally binding. However, at this moment in time, this regulation only affects driveways being installed in front gardens. The legislation that we are referring to here is the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), which was brought in by the government in 2008.

The SuDS legislation applies to driveways installed in front gardens with an area of more than 5 square metres. You will not need to worry about this if you build your driveway from a porous (permeable) material like gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock, which allow any excess water to soak through and successfully drain away. You will be able to find out more information on the SuDS legislation here - SuDS

Naturally it's perfectly possible to build your own driveway, if you're fairly adept at DIY and don't mind a bit of hard graft. However you shouldn't expect that installing a driveway is a simple task, because aside from the laying of the driveway there's lots of carting materials, digging out and waste removal required during this sort of project. In most situations it is more sensible to hire a competent driveway contractor, who'll come armed with all the manpower, equipment and knowledge to carry out the task correctly.

With this type of work, you have to be careful about exactly who you pick, as you clearly need to find somebody who knows what they're doing. You will want to be on the lookout for cowboys and rogue trader types who are renowned for doing this kind of work, and can soon catch you with your guard down. It's worth shelling out a bit more money to get a decent job, rather than take a chance on using a less than perfect worker purely to save a few quid. driveway companies who have been offering their services in the area for a number of years would be the smart choice.

When searching for suitable contractors, it is best 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).

There is no need to be excessively aggressive with this questioning, since what you're really endeavouring to do is get an idea about the type of tradesperson you are potentially going to work with. If they're relaxed about answering all of your questions, you can safely consider that they're reliable. If they appear to be uncertain or hostile when asked these types of questions, you can assume that they're less than honest or hiding something - so avoid them like the plague.

As soon as you've discovered an experienced driveway contractor, you can have a discussion about all the possible driveway options including things like the best style, location and materials. And that's not all, because they'll also take care of all the planning, design and preparation that is needed for your new driveway installation to go like clockwork.

Gravel Driveways

Of all the available types, the standard gravel driveway is the least expensive and simplest. Gravel driveways are especially favoured in a rural location, and despite their inherent simplicity they can be particularly attractive. Since there is such a variety of gravel sizes and shades, you should have no trouble finding one that you're satisfied with. A solid layer of hardcore is essential for a gravel drive to be efficient, in conjunction with a well-bedded edging. If you would like a really top notch gravel driveway, you should make certain that three or four separate layers are put down, with each one individually rolled and left to settle for a day before the next one is laid. You will not require planning permission with a gravel driveway, given that it will be SuDS compliant regardless of how large it is, or if it is in your front or back garden.

Asphalt Driveways

When you are looking for that extra bit of 'curb appeal' for your house in, an asphalt driveway, with its smooth continuous surface, is a good choice. For the optimal outcome ensure you employ a skilled asphalt contractor who'll provide a driveway that lasts for many years doesn't need much maintenance or after-care. If the local council has restrictions that stop non-permeable materials being used on driveways, in order to stop local flooding, a unique porous asphalt substrate permits rainwater to drain into a sub-grade reservoir.

Asphalt can easily withstand the freeze-thaw impact of TOWN winters, and is outstanding value for money in comparison to certain other driveway alternatives. It is also the simplest driveway substance to remove or repair because of the process by which it is manufactured. If you're worried about the ecological impact of your driveway installation in, you might be interested to know that asphalt can be lifted and recycled for re-use elsewhere.

Block Paved Driveways

Scores of driveways have popped up in over the last few years, created using the block-paved technique, which can be very effective when done properly. Forming a robust, hard-wearing driveway, hundreds of purpose-made block paving bricks are butted together in attractive and elaborate patterns which can be personalized to meet your own requirements. Once the blocks have been laid and tamped down, the gaps are filled up with kiln-dried sand which is rigorously brushed into the exposed joints. A good idea is to have your block-paved driveway sealed after a few months with Thompsons sealant or something like that. This is vital to stop weed growth. There are many different designs in which block paving is laid, including basket weave, fan, herringbone and stretcher bond.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: It's even possible to build a To comply with SuDS block paving driveway in, if that is what you require. By leaving bigger gaps between the bricks and filling them with a fine shingle as opposed to the traditional kiln-dried sand, you are able to create a porous paved surface that does not need planning permission. (Tags: Block Paved Driveway, Block Paving Driveways, Block Paving).

Natural Stone Driveways

Natural stone is a driveway material that always improves with age. The compact and dense material looks great on a driveway and will provide an entire lifetime of use for any cars or vehicles you might have throughout the years. It provides your home with a driveway that, because of the different colours and hues of each individual stone, is wholly bespoke to you. The natural stone gives a soft, warm edge to any driveway, and is part of that much sought after WOW factor.

Driveways made from natural stone not only look fantastic, but they're easy to maintain and less at risk of damage than paving alternatives. They're far easier to clean, and with narrower gaps between the stones there is less possibility of seeds and weeds germinating on your new driveway. You must look at a professionally prepared and installed stone driveway as an investment towards your property's value.

Driveway Cleaning

If you're planning to upgrade an existing driveway as your old one is looking tatty, it will be appreciably cheaper to clean it rather than change it. Maintaining the cleanliness of a driveway isn't normally a priority for many home owners. Nonetheless, for reasons of both looks and maintenance, cleaning a driveway with a fair degree of regularity is important. Weeds and other organic plant growth can damage your driveway's structure with time. If there are existing fractures or cracks, these can be widened which could eventually trigger structural problems.

It's advisable to remove dirt, weed growth or stains from your drive as soon as you notice them. Although, most householders hold out until the spring and summer months to power wash their drives, simply because moss and weed growth is more obvious at this time of year. If diesel, oil and brake fluid is spilt from your car, the appearance of your drive can be really ruined. It's therefore crucial to get rid of them quickly to avoid unattractive discolouration of your driveway's surface.

If you are cleaning the driveway yourself, you will need access to a power washer, and to do it thoroughly you'll also need some additional tools and equipment, for example a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. If you haven't got the proper equipment, or are not certain about cleaning it yourself, you could call on a specialist driveway cleaning service, or ask your driveway company if they do it.

Tarmac Driveways

On account of its durability and strength, tarmac is a perfect choice for the surface of a driveway. When laid by a competent driveway company it offers exceptional weatherproof properties, looks amazing and doesn't need a lot maintenance. Tarmac's strength and durability means it can handle larger and heavier vehicles, like trucks and motor-homes, without damaging the surface.

It offers great value, and tarmac can be coloured to complement the surroundings or your home. You do not need to have a drab, traditional looking driveway; it is possible to customise your drive to the colour of your choice. A tarmac drive is also one of the simplest to install, and most driveway projects are completed in a single day. Tarmac really is a great material for just about any driveway, due to its resilience, straightforward installation and maintenance free properties.

Resin-Bound Driveways

One of the most popular sorts of driveway recently, resin-bound driveways are permeable (porous) and compliant with SuDS. Resin driveways can be installed in an array of patterns and colours that can be tailor-made to your requirements. For a lot less mess and hassle a new resin driveway can quickly be laid over a current concrete or asphalt surface. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a good substitute for block paving, concrete, gravel or asphalt. When laid by a reputable installer, a resin-bound driveway will come with an extended guarantee and give years of excellent service. (Tags: Resin Driveways, Resin-Bound Driveways, Resin-Bonded Driveways).

Concrete Driveways

A much favoured material for driveways, concrete is durable, strong and needs very little maintenance. Being more costly that asphalt or gravel, but substantially cheaper than some of the other alternatives (i.e. resin or block paving), concrete is a straightforward choice for many home and business owners. For many folks, the negative aspect of concrete is its rather uninspiring and drab visual appearance, but this can be easily addressed by adding a patterned or imprinted finish.

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.

Make An Outstanding Impression - Wonderful Home Curb Appeal Ideas Revealed

There are countless ways to give your home more curb appeal when you start giving the matter some thought. Thinking it just pertains to superficial problems is a mistake that a number of homeowners make. But, if selling your home is the goal, or if all you want to do is make it more welcoming and attractive, in all likelihood, what appears to be insignificant can be tremendously monumental. It makes people feel that you are a homeowner that is careful and caring, when your abode has curb appeal.

The appearance of your windows contributes a great deal to the curb appeal of your home. Obviously, the first thing to make sure of is that your windows are clean. Filthy windows can minimize a home's appearance like little else. This is important for both the interior and exterior of your home. Provided there are cracked windowpanes any place, just the basement even, you need to replace them immediately. Without a doubt, windows are vital for the insulation of the house on top of how it looks. If your windows aren't very energy efficient, it may be time to replace them. Consider getting shutters, provided you do not own them, since this is one thing that could truly add character to the way your home looks, particularly if you paint them the color that is perfect.

Take a good look at the exterior of your home and think about its colors. A simple exercise would be to imagine your home a completely different color and then compare it against the color that it is now. Aside from the house itself, you may want to use different colors for certain spots, such as your front door, shutters, the deck or any other structures on your property. You might also have decorations that you would like to add to the front yard, or perhaps some flowers or plants in the backyard as well. The colors that you choose, and the changes that you make, should be things that you want to do that will actually make you happy as well as impress other people.

Curb appeal is just as important during the evening as it is in the daytime. When you have your home lit appropriately, your home will stand out. Be positive that your porch is well lit and there are no burned out bulbs. If you have a garden area, you can put some decorative lighting around it so it can be appreciated when the stars are out. The variety of exterior lights can range anywhere from old-time lanterns to solar globes. These types of lights are helpful when it is dreary, night or daytime, and will give your friends, family as well as possible home buyers a safe feeling when they visit.

Your home could look more interesting by taking on any number of home face lifts. While you may be focused on interior plans such as your kitchen or floors, you shouldn't neglect the outside either. With the suggestions we have shared, you now have some idea of how to make your house stand out and be noticed for curb appeal; if you were to look closely around the place, you will see many little things that can also be done.

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
• Driveway Pavers
• Driveway Estimates
• Concrete Driveways
• Tarmac Driveways
• Commercial Driveway Installation
• Driveways
• Asphalt Driveways
• Brick Driveways
• Driveway Installation
• Stone Driveways
• Block Paving Driveways
• Resin Driveways

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