Driveway Installers

If you do choose to forge ahead with having a driveway installed the next job will be to figure out what kind of driveway you prefer. For a number of reasons, not every type of driveway will be of interest to you, and there are certainly lots to pick from. Your options could be to some extent limited if you're working to a strict spending budget. The size and layout of your available space might also have an affect on your final decision.

You may think "a driveway is just a driveway", however that's simply not true, since there are many different styles and designs of driveway, and if you were to take a stroll around, you will see what I'm saying. According to the landscape and layout of your garden you'll be able to choose 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 might feel that planning permission is only needed for significant undertakings like loft conversions and extensions, but that is not always the case. There are nationally binding regulations pertaining to the the installment of driveways, not only local ones. At the present time these regulations only affect driveways in front gardens. The legislation that we're referring to here is the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), which was introduced by the UK government in 2008.

If you are planning a driveway having an area of more than 5 square metres and it's in your front garden, you're going to be impacted by these SuDS regulations. Porous materials such as gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock are SuDS compliant, and allow the surface water to soak through without any issues. So, if you are building your driveway from one of these substances, you'll not need to fret. You can find out more about the SuDS legislation here - SuDS

People who don't have a problem with a bit of hard work and are reasonably good at do-it-yourself, could be tempted to install a driveway on their own. With so much hard work involved with driveways including heavy digging, hauling materials and doing waste removal, nobody should consider this to be a simple task. In most situations it is more sensible to bring in a specialist driveway contractor, who will have all the manpower, equipment and knowledge to carry out the task properly.

Trustworthy tradespeople are often not that easy to get hold of with regards to doing this sort of work, therefore you need to take care and choose the right person or contractor. You should keep an eye out for cowboys and rogue traders who are renowned for doing this sort of work, and can can soon catch you out if you aren't careful. If you're going to commit to a driveway you may just as well have it done to a decent standard, even if this means spending a bit more on the project. If a locally based driveway installer has been working in and around your area for quite a few years, it's reasonable to assume that they will be dependable, and a good choice for your driveway installation assignment.

When you are sorting through prospective companies to build your driveway 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).

There is no need to be excessively pushy or aggressive with these questions, because what you're really aiming to do is get a perception of the sort of individual you are going to be dealing with. If they're glad to answer all these questions, you can assume that they are for the most part reliable. If they're hesitant or confrontational when asked these sorts of questions, you can assume that they are less than honest or hiding something - so steer well clear.

Selecting a top notch tradesperson is crucial, because should you manage to find yourself a capable driveway company, they'll not only do an excellent job, but also give you advice and guidance on the best location, style and materials for your driveway. Having a professional on hand will mean that all of the preparation, planning and design is in hand before any real physical work begins.

Gravel Driveways

When going over the various different kinds of driveway you might decide to opt for the most economical and simplest, which is gravel. Gravel driveways are especially favoured in a rural location, and in spite of their inherent simplicity they can be highly attractive. Gravel can be found in a wide selection of sizes and colours, so you should have no trouble locating one that looks good in your garden. For gravel driveways to be successful they need a sturdy layer of hardcore, and firmly-bedded edging. If you want a really top notch gravel driveway, you should make sure that three or four separate layers are applied, with each and every one individually tamped and left to settle for a day or two before the next one is laid. You will not require planning permission with a gravel driveway, as it will be SuDS compliant no matter how large it is, or if it is in your front or back garden. (Tags: Gravel Driveways, Shingle Driveways, Aggregate Driveways).

Asphalt Driveways

An asphalt driveway, with its smooth, continuous appearance adds instant "curb appeal" to any home in. For optimum outcome ensure that you employ a reputable asphalt contractor who'll install a driveway that lasts a lifetime doesn't require much maintenance or after-care. In high flood risk areas it might be necessary to have a porous driveway, and there's a type of asphalt sub-base for rainwater drainage, which stops surplus water from overwhelming highway drainage systems.

Asphalt driveways offer outstanding value for money and asphalt is a durable, strong material that is perfect for tolerating the freezing and thawing effects of a typical British winter. It's also the easiest driveway material to remove or repair because of the process by which it is manufactured. If you're concerned about the environmental impact of your driveway installation, it's good to know that asphalt can even be removed and recycled for re-use elsewhere. (Tags: Asphalt Driveway Recycling, Asphalt Driveways, Asphalt Driveway).

Block Paving Driveways

Scores of driveways have popped up in over the last few years, built using the block-paved process, which can be extremely effective when carried out properly. Forming eye-catching and sometimes intricate designs, hundreds of purpose-made block paving bricks are butted together to create a robust, hard-wearing driveway. The gaps that are left between the blocks are filled using kiln-dried sand which is rigorously brushed into the joints, resulting in a tidy finish. It is advisable to have your block paving driveway sealed after 4 or 5 months with Rycal sealant or something similar. This is important to stop weed growth. Block paving can be laid in lots of patterns, including fan, basket weave, herringbone and stretcher bond.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: Compliant with SuDS block paved driveways are perfectly feasible by adjusting the traditional technique. Wider spaces than normal are left between the blockwork and as opposed to the standard kiln-dried sand, these can then be packed with fine aggregate material.

Natural Stone Driveways

The characteristics of natural stone means it continually improves with age. The natural stone option will provide you with a robust, stable driveway, for any vehicle, and will look great for a whole lifetime. It provides your home with a driveway that, owing to the different colours and tones of the individual stones, is completely bespoke to you. It delivers that all important curb appeal and WOW factor that every householder craves.

A natural stone driveway is also easy to maintain, and is less vulnerable to cracking and damage from weather than concrete based materials. They are far easier to clean, and with smaller joints in between the stones there's considerably less possibility of weeds and seeds germinating on your drive. You should think of an expertly laid stone driveway as an investment towards your home's overall value.

Driveway Cleaning

If you're about to replace an existing driveway because your old one is starting to look tatty, it is going to be appreciably cheaper to clean it rather than change it. The process of keeping a driveway clean, is something that lots of folks delay, or forget about entirely. Yet, from both an aesthetic and maintenance perspective, cleaning your driveway is crucial, and this procedure should be completed on a fairly regular basis, not just now and again. Unwanted weeds and other plant growth can damage the structure of your driveway over time. An enlargement of existing crevices or cracks could ensue, and structural problems may occur if this growth isn't eliminated.

If you notice that your drive has weed growth, stains or dirt, it is recommended that you get rid of them before they get any worse. Even so, most homeowners wait around until the spring and summertime to pressure wash their drives, merely because weeds and moss are more obvious during these times. If diesel, brake fluid and oil is spilled from your car, the appeal of your driveway can be really spoilt. To avoid ugly discolouration of your driveway's surface, it is therefore vital to get them cleaned immediately.

To get your driveway completely clean you will need the use of a jet washing machine, and additionally you'll need some other tools and equipment, for instance a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. A specialist driveway cleaning service might be needed if you haven't got the right gear, or don't have the confidence to clean it yourself. You may even discover that your driveway installers will also provide this sort of service.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is a very popular surface for driveways due to its durability and strength. When laid professionally it offers superb weather resistant properties, does not need a lot of maintenance and looks great. Tarmac's durability and strength means it can handle heavier vehicles, like camper vans and vans, without damaging the surface.

Tarmac is also great value for money and comes in a whole host of colours to match your home and surrounding area. You are able to custom-build a tarmac driveway to suit your property, with lots of colours on offer. Tarmac driveways are amongst the simplest to lay, and a lot of driveway projects are finished in one day. This straightforward installation, coupled with its high strength and simple maintenance makes a tarmac driveway a decent alternative for just about any home.

Resin Driveways

There is no doubt that in recent times resin-bound driveways have become one of the most popular kinds of driveway. The added advantage that they are also SuDS compliant plainly contributes to their appeal. Available in a whole host of patterns and designs, resin-bound driveways can be custom-made to your precise specifications, and installed to match any concept or theme. For faster, more convenient installation resin driveways can be laid over a current concrete or tarmac base with far less hassle and mess. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a good alternative to block paving, asphalt, gravel or concrete. When laid by an approved installer, a resin driveway will come with an extended warranty and give many years of reliable service.

Concrete Driveways

A much favoured material for driveways, concrete is hard wearing, strong and doesn't need much maintenance. Being more costly that gravel or asphalt, but substantially cheaper than some of the other options (i.e. resin or block paving), concrete is a straightforward choice for many folks. For many householders, the downside of concrete is its rather uninspiring and drab visual appearance, but this can be easily overcome by adding a stamped or imprinted design. (Tags: Patterned Concrete Driveway, Concreted Driveway, 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. People that go into your home, or see it from the street, this perception is what curb appeal is all about. Many of the actions you can take in this area are simple and inexpensive, yet they are still very important because they are among the first things anyone notices when they see your home.

Your widows provide a huge amount to the way your home appeals to people. Unmistakably, your windows cleanliness needs to take first priority. Dirty windows can detract from the beauty of a home like nothing else. This is imperative for your home's exterior and interior. Provided there are cracked windowpanes any place, just the basement even, you need to replace them immediately. Windows, of course, are important for insulation as well as appearance. In case the windows you have are not truly energy efficient, it could be the time to restore them. The one element that can really give a home some pizazz is shutters, notably if they are painted in the right color, so if you don't already have them, consider acquiring some.

Take a good look at your front and back yards. Do they consist of tools, miscellaneous things and clutter, or are they welcoming and clean? 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. Resolve issues such as weeds being pulled or bushes that need to be trimmed. 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.

Anyone that has had to take care of a lawn has most definitely contemplated alternative ways to beautify their property without the greenery. Landscaping alternatives that require less water and maintenance are now becoming more popular replacing the staple green lawn. Instead of watering your grass, and mowing your lawn, you could replace it with something that doesn't take up all your time. An environmentally sustainable landscaping idea that you should consider is called xeriscaping. Even if you do not live in an area or region that is prone to droughts, you will definitely be impressed with xeriscaping on your property.

It could be extremely uplifting to endeavor to improve the appearance of your dwelling. Each tiny activity you perform, regardless of whether it is creating a better looking lawn, making improvements of the driveway or painting the deck will increase the value of your home and create a nicer look. home improvements or more expensive ones, every one of these can enhance the appearance of your home.

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