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So, you have made a decision to have a driveway installed, but what type of driveway will be best for you? There are of course many different types of driveway available, as I'm certain you'll be aware, but these might not all appeal to you. If you haven't got a lot of money to invest in this project, your choice of style and materials could be limited to what you can comfortably afford. The style and composition of your driveway may also be subject to the size and configuration of your property.

There are plenty of different types and designs of driveway, as you'll doubtless have noticed when walking around. The chances are that on your travels you'll 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 is suitable, you ought to be able to choose 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?

While you might presume that you're allowed to stick a driveway anywhere you please on your property, this isn't always the case. There are in fact regulations covering the the installment of driveways, and those are nationally binding rules, not just local. However, at this juncture, this regulation only affects driveways being laid in front gardens. The law that we're talking about here is the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), which was brought in by the UK government in 2008.

The SuDS legislation applies to driveways in front gardens with an area of over 5 square metres. You will not need to worry about this if you make your driveway from a porous (permeable) material like gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock, which allow the rainwater to pass through and drain away naturally. If you suspect that the Sustainable Drainage Systems legislation may affect your planned driveway in TOWN, you can see detailed information by clicking here - SuDS

Needless to say it's quite feasible for you to build your own driveway, if you are good at DIY and aren't fazed by a touch of hard work. But, do not be deceived, there is a lot of hard work involved with laying a driveway, particularly in relation to the groundwork work, which includes waste removal, excavation and humping materials. In most cases it would be much more sensible to hire a specialist driveway installer, who'll come armed with all the equipment, knowledge and manpower to complete the task correctly.

Reliable tradesmen are often not that easy to find in relation to performing this type of project, so you need to be cautious and choose the right person or company. You should be on the lookout for cowboys and rogue trader types who are well known for doing this sort of work, and can can soon catch you out if you aren't careful. Even if that means having to spend a little more on the enterprise, you may as well have it done to a decent standard by a professional. It is wise to search for locally based driveway pavers and landscape gardeners who've been operating in the area for several years.

When vetting these installers, 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).

Don't go overboard with these questions, but just ask enough to get a good sense of the sort of company you're dealing with, so you're able to make a well informed choice before hiring someone. Anybody who's ready to answer all of your questions, and put your mind at rest about the calibre of the work they'll be doing, will likely also be reliable and honest. You can deduce that they're hiding something or being less than honest if they act in a uncertain or confrontational way when asked these types of questions. If that occurs you would be wise to avoid them like the plague and try another tradesman.

If you pick your driveway specialist wisely you'll find that they can provide you with a lot of practical advice and guidance in relation to the best materials to use and the recommended sort of driveway for your garden. They'll also help you with all of the planning, preparation and design, so that every aspect is taken care of before any real physical work commences on your driveway.

Gravel Driveways

When looking into the various different kinds of driveway you might choose to favour the ubiquitous cheapest and simplest, which is gravel. In spite of their simplicity gravel driveways can be an extremely attractive alternative, especially in rural locations. Since there is such a wide selection of gravel shades and sizes, you should have no problems finding one that you are happy with. For gravel driveways to be efficient they need a good robust layer of hardcore, and substantial, well-bedded edging. If you apply 3 or 4 separate layers of aggregate, each and every one tamped and left to settle, you'll get the finest gravel driveway. No matter what size your driveway is, or if it is in your front or back garden, if it is built from gravel it will not require planning permission, because it will automatically be SuDS compliant.

Asphalt Driveways

Any home in will gain the benefit of the curb appeal of the smooth, uninterrupted appearance of an asphalt driveway. For the optimal results ensure you hire a skilled asphalt company who'll install a driveway that lasts a lifetime and requires very little maintenance and after care. If the local authority imposes restrictions that prevent non-permeable materials being used, in order to prevent local flooding, a unique permeable asphalt substrate permits rain to drain into a sub-grade reservoir.

Asphalt driveways are exceptionally smartly designed to hold up against anything that winters can chuck at them, and offer exceptional value for money. Asphalt is easily repaired and maintained, and isn't too difficult to remove should your circumstances change. It can be seen to be the most environmentally friendly of solid driveway surfaces as it is even possible to recycle an asphalt drive for use in a different project.

Block Paving Driveways

Dozens of driveways have popped up in over the last few years, built using the block-paved method, which can be extremely successful when carried out properly. These are fashioned using specially designed block-paving bricks which are butted together to form attractive and interesting patterns. Once the blocks have been put in place, they are tamped down firmly, and kiln-dried sand is rigorously brushed into the joints. It might be a good idea to have your block paving driveway sealed after several months with Thompsons sealant or something similar. This is vital to stop weed growth. Block paving can be laid in lots of designs, including stretcher bond, basketweave, herringbone and fan.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: It's even possible to build a To comply with SuDS block paving driveway in, if that's what you need. By leaving wider gaps between the blocks and filling them with a fine shingle in place of the standard kiln-dried sand, you can achieve a porous surface that doesn't need planning permission. (Tags: Block Paved Driveways, Block Paving Driveways, Block Paving).

Natural Stone Driveways

Natural stone is fabulous as a driveway material since it always improves with age. This dense, compact material looks terrific on a driveway and will provide a whole lifetime of serviceable use for any motor vehicles you may own. Owing to the distinctive depth of tone and colours in the stone, you will wind up with a driveway which is bespoke to your home. When expertly installed, a natural stone driveway has that all important WOW factor that will complement any home.

A natural stone driveway is also much easier to maintain, and is less susceptible to weather damage than concrete materials. The smaller joints between the stones means that there is significantly less potential for weed growth, and the smooth, solid surface is much easier to clean. A professionally prepared and installed stone driveway is an investment which will add to the appeal and value to your home.

Driveway Cleaning

If your property has already got a drive, and you are thinking of replacing it because it is looking tatty - why not give it a clean instead? For the majority of property owners, keeping their driveway clean is not usually regarded as a priority. Yet, cleaning a driveway is important from both a maintenance and cosmetic perspective, and this should really be carried out fairly frequently. Unwanted weeds and other plant growth can weaken the structure of your driveway over time. If your drive already has fractures and cracks, these can soon be widened, and structural issues could arise as a consequence.

It is recommended that you remove weed growth, dirt or stains from your drive the instant you discover them. Although, most home owners wait around until the spring and summertime to pressure wash their drives, merely because weeds and moss are more apparent during this period. Diesel, brake fluid and oil spillages from your vehicle can spoil the appearance of your driveway. To prevent unattractive discolouration of the surface, it is therefore important to clean them off immediately.

You will need some tools and equipment such as a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent, in conjunction with a power washer, in order to get your driveway totally clean. A specialist driveway cleaning service may be necessary if you don't have the right equipment, or are not clear about cleaning it yourself. You might even discover that your driveway company will be willing to offer this service.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac provides both a resilient and strong surface making it a perfect choice for a driveway. When laid professionally it doesn't need much maintenance, offers outstanding weatherproof properties and looks good. A tarmac driveway can contend with heavier vehicles, like camper vans, without damage to the surface or dimpling, and should remain looking pristine for many years to come.

If you want to colour tarmac, it is incredibly easy to do so, and it offers fantastic value when compared with other kinds of driveway. You're able to custom-build a tarmac drive to match your home, with lots of colours available. It's perfectly possible for a competent driveway company to install a brand new tarmac driveway in a single day. This ease of installation, in conjunction with its simple maintenance and high durability makes a tarmac driveway a great option for virtually any property.

Resin-Bound Driveways

Among the most flexible and attractive styles of driveway that are available at this time, resin-bound or resin driveways are becoming ever more favoured and also comply with SuDS, if that's what you are interested in. Resin driveways can be tailor-made to your exact specifications and come in a wide variety of different designs and colours. For faster, more convenient installation resin driveways can be laid over a pre-existing asphalt or concrete base with a lot less hassle and mess. Resin-bound driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a good alternative to asphalt, gravel, concrete or block paving. When laid by a trusted installer, a resin-bound driveway should come with an extended guarantee and give years of excellent service.

Concrete Driveways

Durable, strong and needing hardly any maintenance, concrete is an ideal material for driveways. With regards to cost, concrete is about average for driveway construction, being costlier than gravel or asphalt, but cheaper than block paving and resin. Many would concur that concrete driveways in general are somewhat boring and drab. But this doesn't have to be a problem, seeing that it's possible to finish them off with a patterned or stamped design.

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.

Simple And Inexpensive Ways To Upgrade Your Home's Curb Appeal

How your home looks, and it's perceived market value, can skyrocket if you have the proper curb appeal. Anyone walking by, that actually looks over at your home, their first impression is what we call curb appeal. 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.

The entrance to your home is of the utmost importance when it comes to curb appeal. This includes your front door, front porch and the pathway leading up to your door. Replacing an old front door with a new one is one of the most straightforward ways to elevate the front of a home. Based upon the appearance of your abode, there are numerous possibilities, vintage and contemporary doors included. Before anything else, this is often what probable buyers or guests will see, hence this is something you will hope will make the greatest impression. compelling door bell or knocker. Examine the components apart from your door, like names or addresses on the assumption it is not connected to the anterior of your dwelling place. Frequently these appear outdated and putting a new one in is not costly and yet they can change a look greatly.

Examine the outside of your home and think about what colors would look best. One way to increase the curb appeal of any home is to change the color that it currently is; to begin this process, you need to think of another color that you would find more appealing. 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. Decorations can really liven up the outside of any house; you might want to add some flowers or plants that would go perfectly with the exterior of your home. 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.

Hanging new siding may be something you want to contemplate, rather than putting paint on the exterior of your dwelling. There are many options for this, and it can make your home look more modern. This can make your insulation better and make your home more valuable as well. Different options are stucco veneer or stone, these could provide your dwelling with the appearance of a stucco or stone house without having to pay for all of the real elements you would need. Assuming you would desire to put stone veneer on the exterior of your residence or new siding, you should examine the myriad of choices out there and make a determination regarding what you are drawn to.

Anyone that is trying to update the outward appearance of their home in an enticing manner should definitely consider the aspects of curb appeal. Even though the purpose of this article was to show you how to add curb appeal to your residence, you might choose to do this just to impress your neighbors. The steps you take to improve curb appeal show the world that you really care about the condition and 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

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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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