Driveway Installers

If you believe a driveway is just the thing for your property, and you've got ample space to put one, you'll now have to decide what type of driveway you're going to construct. For various reasons, not every type of driveway will be right for you, and there are certainly many to pick from. If you do not have a lot of money to expend on such a project, your style and material options might be constrained by what you can afford. Other things that may affect your choice will be the configuration and size of your garden, and precisely how the driveway will sit with your home aesthetically.

There are of course many different designs and styles of driveway, as you will no doubt have seen while wandering around. 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, in different permutations, however this should still give you a notion of some of the possible choices.

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?

While you might suppose that planning permission won't be necessary for a driveway installation on your own land, this isn't always true. The regulations that pertain to driveways are not just laid down by the local authority, but are in reality enforced by government law. These rules only apply to front gardens at this moment. This driveway legislation, which is called the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) has been in force since October 2008, when it was first brought in.

A driveway in excess of 5m2, which is being laid in a front garden is going to be subject to the SuDS legislation. Porous materials like gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock are compliant with SuDS, and allow any excess rainwater to soak through without any issues. So, if you are building your driveway from one of these, you won't have to fret. You'll be able to find out more about the SuDS legislation by clicking here - SuDS

Of course it's perfectly feasible for you to install your own driveway, if you're reasonably good at DIY and relish a bit of hard graft. However you shouldn't imagine that this is a simple task, because besides actually laying the driveway there is lots of lugging materials, waste removal and digging out required during this type of project. If you have any concerns about doing this, it might be a good idea to bring in a professional driveway installer to handle the work on your behalf.

Reputable tradesmen are not always that easy to find when it comes to conducting this type of task, so you need to take care in choosing the right company or person. Unfortunately, there are unprincipled "cowboys" around who'll take full advantage of your circumstances and pretend to be driveway experts. They'll either do poor quality work, or simply take your money and do a "runner". If you're going to commit to a driveway you may as well have it done to a decent standard, even if this means spending a little more on the enterprise. It is better to seek out locally based driveway and patio installers who have been offering their services in the area for the past few years.

When screening these paving contractors, you should at the very least 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 doesn't have to be an inquisition, however asking these pertinent questions should give you an inkling of the kind of individual you are dealing with. Anybody who is willing to answer all your questions, and put your mind at rest about the quality of the work they will be doing, will probably also be reliable and genuine. You should give them a miss if they act in a confrontational or uncertain way when asked these types of questions, since it's likely that they are hiding something or being less than honest.

Once you have located an experienced driveway installer, you can ask for guidance about all the potential driveway options including the most appropriate style, materials and location. They'll also help you with all the preparation, design and planning, so that every aspect is taken care of before any real physical work starts on your driveway.

Gravel Driveways

When looking into the various different types of driveway you might choose to opt for the cheapest and simplest, which is gravel. Gravel driveways are particularly effective in a rural setting, and regardless of their inherent simplicity they can be highly pleasing. Gravel can be obtained in a wide selection of sizes and colours, so you should have no problem finding one that looks good in your garden. For gravel driveways to be efficient they need a good robust layer of hardcore, and substantial edging. If you would like a really good quality gravel driveway, you should make sure that three or four separate layers are applied, with each and every one individually tamped and rolled and left to settle for a day or two before the next is laid. Regardless of what size your driveway is, or whether it's in your back or front garden, if it is constructed from gravel it won't need planning permission, because it will be SuDS compliant.

Asphalt Driveways

When you are looking for that extra touch of 'curb appeal' for your house in, an asphalt driveway, with its smooth continuous surface, is the ideal choice. For best results ensure you hire a professional asphalt contractor who will provide you with a driveway that lasts a lifetime doesn't require much maintenance or after-care. If the local authority has regulations that prevent non-permeable materials being used on driveways, in order to preclude localised flooding, a unique permeable asphalt substrate enables rainwater to drain into a sub-base.

Asphalt driveways are very smartly designed to hold up to anything that typical winters can chuck at them, and offer outstanding value for money. Because of how asphalt is manufactured, it is also easy and cheap to maintain, repair and where necessary, remove. If you are concerned about the ecological impact of your driveway installation, it's good to know that asphalt can be removed and recycled for re-use elsewhere. (Tags: Asphalt Driveways, Asphalt Driveway Recycling, Asphalt Driveway).

Block Paving Driveways

Over the past decade or so scores of driveways have sprung up in using the block-paved method. These are crafted using hundreds of specially designed block-paving bricks which are butted together to form attractive and sometimes intricate patterns. The gaps that are left between these blocks are filled up with kiln-dried sand which is brushed into the joints, resulting in a tidy finish. It is preferable to have your block-paved driveway sealed after 4 or 5 months with Rycal sealant or similar. This is crucial to stop weed growth. Block paving can be laid in a variety of designs, including basketweave, fan, stretcher bond and herringbone.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: SuDS compliant block paved driveways are perfectly possible by adjusting the normal technique. Wider gaps than normal are allowed between the blocks and as opposed to the usual kiln-dried sand, these are then filled with a fine aggregate material.

Natural Stone Driveways

Natural stone, as a driveway surface, never loses its eye-catching appearance even as it grows older. Looking amazing from day one to year fifty, a driveway built from natural stone will give you a whole lifetime of serviceable use for any car or vehicle. The natural colouring and depth of tone gives a unique appearance to any stone driveway, and offers a bespoke look to any home. It delivers that vital wow factor and curb appeal that every homeowner yearns for.

Natural stone driveways don't just look fantastic, but they're low maintenance and less susceptible to damage than some alternatives. The narrower joints between the stones means that there is considerably less potential for weed growth, and the smooth, solid surface is much easier to clean. A properly prepared and installed natural stone driveway is an investment that will only add value to your home.

Driveway Cleaning

If you already have a driveway, but it's beginning to look a bit tatty, you might be able to improve it's appearance by giving it a clean. The process of cleaning a driveway, is one of those things that many householders postpone, or overlook altogether. However, cleaning your driveway is a process that ought to be undertaken with some regularity, and is vital from both a maintenance and cosmetic viewpoint. If weeds, roots and other pernicious plant growth are allowed to establish themselves, over time they can severely weaken your driveway's structure and composition. A widening of existing driveway cracks and holes can happen, and structural complications can appear if such harmful growth isn't removed.

It is better to remove dirt, weed growth or stains from your drive the minute you notice them. Although, moss and weed growth is certainly more obvious on your driveway during the spring and summertime, you shouldn't wait till then pressure wash it. The appeal of your drive can really be compromised by diesel, brake fluid and oil spills from your car. To avoid unattractive discolouration of your driveway's surface, it is therefore crucial to get them cleaned quickly.

To clean your driveway effectively you will need the use of a power washer, and you'll also need a few other tools and equipment, such as a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. If you don't have the correct gear, or aren't clear about cleaning it yourself, you should call in a specialist driveway cleaning service, or ask your driveway installers if they do it.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is a very popular sort of surface for driveways because of its strength and durability. When laid by a reliable driveway company it looks amazing, is weather resistant and needs very little maintenance. The sturdiness of a tarmac driveway means that it is able to withstand daily wear and tear from heavier vehicles, like carvans and motor-homes, with no ridges or damage being inflicted on the surface.

It offers great value, and tarmac can be coloured to suit the surroundings or your requirements. You don't have to have a boring, conventional looking driveway; it is possible to customise your drive to any colour of your choosing. Tarmac driveways are amongst the most straightforward to lay, and the majority of driveway projects are finished in one day. A lot of householders pick tarmac over other driveway materials due to its robustness, simple installation, low maintenance requirements and finish.

Resin-Bound Driveways

One of the most frequently seen styles of driveway in recent years, resin-bound driveways (or resin driveways) are permeable (porous) and compliant with SuDS. Resin driveways can be custom-made to your precise requirements and come in a wide range of different colours and designs. If you have a current concrete or tarmac driveway, a new resin surface can be laid on top of your existing surface. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and an awesome substitute for tarmac, gravel, concrete or block paving. A resin-bound driveway will give many years of reliable service, and when laid by an experienced installer, come with an extended guarantee. (Tags: Resin Driveways, Resin-Bound Driveways, Resin-Bonded Driveways).

Concrete Driveways

A very popular material for driveways, concrete is durable, strong and requires very little maintenance. When it comes to the cost, concrete is about average for driveway construction, being costlier than gravel or tarmac, but less expensive than resin or block paving. Most would agree that concrete driveways, generally speaking, are quite drab and uninspiring. Yet this does not have to be the case, seeing that it's perfectly possible to finish the surface off with a stamped or patterned design which can be fairly 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.

Boosting the Appeal of Your Curb

One has to center their attention on their homes curb appeal if they want to have their dwelling place look as nice as possible. Although the above mentioned is exceptionally essential as you are displaying your house to possible buyers, it is important to give credence to whether you have a buyer looking at it or not. Many times when individuals will inspect their abode to see how appealing the outside is, they see it with new eyes and often they can see the parts that need modification and the mistakes that weren't noticeable to them earlier.

Even if you're not planning to paint your entire house, it can make a big difference to apply paint in a few highly visible areas. Painting your deck is also an option, as well as choosing a new color which will stand out much more prominently. Shutters and window casings are also good candidates for a fresh coat of paint. In some cases, a cleaning will be sufficient, but making such areas look their best will greatly improve the curb appeal of your home. Finally, if there's any mildew, moss or mold around the outside of your house, make sure you remove it, as this definitely gives off the wrong impression. There are products you can buy to remove these things, but if something like mold is a serious issue, you may want to hire a professional to get rid of it for you.

Take in the front yard as well as the back. . Are they neat and inviting, or are they cluttered with toys, tools and random objects? A considerable influence to curb appeal is the look of your yards. Cleaning up your yards is worth the effort, assuming they are untidy. Move any objects that hinder your ability to go through your yard with ease. Unwanted vegetation or small trees that should be cut are problems that you need to deal with. Instruct your children to place their toys in their proper places when they are finished with them, assuming you have children who leave them laying all over the place.

Curb appeal does not stop when the sun goes down; night time is just as crucial. You can actually change the impression your house exudes with the correct lighting. It can look tacky when some of your stoop lights are not working; this area should be bright. If you have a garden area, you can put some decorative lighting around it so it can be appreciated when the stars are out. Your will find a huge assortment of outdoor lights to fit just about any need; from the antique lantern to fancy solar lights. Such lights are useful on foggy or rainy days as well as at night, and will give visitors, potential buyers, and your own family a more secure feeling when they step onto your property.

There are numerous types of enhancements that will make your home more attractive. The exterior of your home deserves as much recognition as the interior. 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