Driveway Installers

If you think that a driveway is just the ticket for your home, and you have ample space to put one, you will now need to determine what type of driveway you're going to construct. Driveways come in all shapes and sizes and can be created from numerous different materials, some may be more suitable than others. If you don't have a lot of cash to expend on this project, your style and material options might be limited to what you can comfortably afford. Your decision might also be impacted by the configuration and dimensions of your garden.

If you take a quick walk around, you will get an appreciation of all the different styles of driveway that other people have installed, and probably get a bit of inspiration for your own drive. You will 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, although not every one of these will automatically be suited to your garden landscape and layout.

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 presume that planning permission is only needed for large projects like loft conversions and extensions, but that isn't always true. There are nationally binding regulations addressing the the installment of driveways, not only local ones. These regulations only affect FRONT gardens at this moment. Ever since 2008 driveway installations in front gardens in the British Isles have to abide by the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which was introduced by the Labour government.

Driveways being installed in front gardens having an area in excess of 5m2 are affected by the SuDS regulations. This demands that your drive is built from gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock, so that surface water is able to soak away safely and not cause flooding. It is possible to check out the Sustainable Drainage Systems legislation here - Sustainable Drainage Systems

Householders who don't have an issue with a bit of hard work and are pretty good at do-it-yourself, could be tempted to lay a driveway on their own. But, do not be deceived, there is a good deal of hard work involved with building a driveway, particularly in relation to the preparatory work, which will involve carrying heavy materials, waste removal and excavation. With that said, it might be wise to call in a professional driveway contractor, if you're in any doubt doing it yourself.

With this kind of task, you have to be cautious of who you choose, given that you plainly need someone who knows their stuff. Unfortunately, there are unprincipled folks out there who'll make the most of your circumstances and purport to be driveway "experts". They'll either produce inferior work, or grab your money and vanish without a trace. It is worth shelling out a bit more money to get a proper job, rather than risk using a poor quality workman simply to save yourself a couple of quid. Driveway and patio contractors who have been serving customers in the area for a number of years would be the smart choice.

When screening these paving contractors, you should at 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).

Don't go over the top with this questioning, but just ask enough to get a decent sense of the kind of person you're considering, so that you are able to make an informed choice of tradesman. It's safe to anticipate that they are reliable and honest if they're perfectly happy to talk about all your concerns and answer all of these questions. You should give them a wide berth if they appear hostile or uncertain when asked these sorts of questions, because it is very likely that they're hiding something or being less than truthful.

Selecting a first rate tradesperson is crucial, because if you manage to get hold of a capable driveway company, they'll not only do a good job, but will also give you advice and guidance on the most appropriate style, location and materials for your driveway. They will also help you with the preparation, design and planning, so that everything is covered before any real physical work starts on your driveway.

Gravel Driveways

Of all the driveway options, the ubiquitous gravel driveway is the most economical and easiest. Despite their inherent simplicity gravel driveways can be an exceptionally eye-catching solution, particularly in rural locations. You should have no problem finding a type of gravel that looks amazing in your garden, as there are an array of shades and sizes on the market. A good solid layer of hardcore is essential for a gravel drive to be effective, together with a well-bedded edging. If you apply three or four separate layers of shingle, each and every one tamped and rolled and left to settle down, you'll get the very best gravel driveway. Gravel driveways are of course SuDS compliant, consequently you will not need to apply for planning permission regardless of how large your driveway is. (Tags: Shingle Driveways, Aggregate Driveways, Gravel Driveways).

Asphalt Driveways

Any property in will gain the benefit of the "curb appeal" of the smooth, continuous appearance of an asphalt driveway. A reputable driveway company in will supply you with an asphalt driveway that will give you many years of satisfaction, with a bare minimum of maintenance involved. If the local council has restrictions that bar non-porous materials being used, so as to prevent local flooding, a unique permeable asphalt substrate enables rain to drain away into a sub-base.

Asphalt can easily withstand the freeze-thaw effects of British winters, and is extremely good value for money in comparison to several other driveway options. Asphalt is also the easiest driveway material to remove or repair due to the process by which it is manufactured. It could be considered the most ecological of hard driveway surfaces since it is even possible to recycle an asphalt driveway for use in another project. (Tags: Asphalt Driveway Recycling, Asphalt Driveways, Asphalt Driveway).

Block Paved Driveways

Over the last ten years or so dozens of driveways in have sprung up built using the block-paved method. Forming attractive and intricate designs, many hundreds of purpose-made block paving bricks are butted together to produce a hard wearing and robust driveway. After the blocks are laid and tamped down, the gaps are filled up with kiln-dried sand which is rigorously brushed into the exposed joints. To get the longest life and best performance out of your block-paved driveway, it is best to get it professionally sealed after 5 or 6 months to stop weed growth. Block paving can be made very attractive and can be laid numerous designs, including fan, basketweave, stretcher bond and herringbone.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: It's also possible to build a Compliant with SuDS block paved driveway in, if that's what you require. By simply leaving bigger spaces between the blockwork and packing them with a fine aggregate instead of the traditional kiln-dried sand, you can accomplish a porous paved surface that does not need planning permission.

Natural Stone Driveways

Natural stone, as a driveway material, never loses its outstanding appearance even as it ages. The dense and compact material looks the business on any driveway and will give a lifetime of serviceable use for any cars or vehicles you may have. The natural colouring and depth of tone gives a distinctive appearance to every stone driveway, and offers a bespoke and individual look to any house. It offers that crucial wow factor and curb appeal that every householder desires.

Unlike some driveway alternatives, natural stone driveways are less liable to being damaged and are a lot easier to maintain and look after. The smooth surface of the natural stones means that they're easy to keep clean, and weeds find it harder to take root in the narrower gaps of a stone driveway. A properly prepared and laid natural stone driveway is a sound investment that will add value and appeal to your home.

Driveway Cleaning

If you already have a driveway, but it's beginning to look a bit shabby, you might manage to improve it's appearance by giving it a clean. Keeping a driveway clean isn't a top priority for many homeowners. However, cleaning a driveway is essential from both a maintenance and visual viewpoint, and this procedure should be undertaken with a fair degree of regularity. Weeds and other organic plant growth can weaken the structure of your driveway with time. If there are existing cracks and crevices, these could be enlarged which might ultimately trigger structural issues.

The minute you discover stains, weeds or dirt on your drive, it is preferable to get rid of them as soon as possible. Although, weeds and moss are more visible on your drive during the springtime and summer, you should not wait until then to clean it. If diesel, oil and brake fluid leaks from your car, the appearance of your drive can be seriously blighted. It is therefore crucial to clean them off promptly to prevent unsightly staining of your driveway's surface.

In addition to a pressure washer, you'll also need a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent, and a few other tools if you wish to clean your driveway correctly. If you're not certain about doing it yourself, or you don't have the correct gear, you could ask your driveway company if they're willing to do this, or contact a specialist driveway cleaning service.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is an extremely popular surface for driveways due to its strength and durability. When laid professionally it offers superb weatherproof properties, does not need much maintenance and looks good. Tarmac driveways can contend with larger vehicles, such as vans and camper vans, without damage to the surface or dimpling, and should look good for many years.

It offers excellent value, and tarmac can be coloured to complement the surroundings or your requirements. You don't have to have a drab, conventional looking drive; it's possible to customise your driveway to any colour of your choice. It's quite possible for an experienced driveway company to install a new tarmac drive in one day. This simplicity of installation, coupled with its simple maintenance and high strength makes a tarmac driveway a perfect alternative for any property.

Resin-Bound Driveways

There's very little doubt that in recent years resin-bound driveways have become one of the most favoured sorts of driveway. The added advantage that they are also compliant with SuDS of course further increases their appeal. Resin driveways come in a wide range of designs and patterns that can be custom-made to your exact requirements. For a lot less hassle and mess a new resin driveway can soon be laid over a current concrete or tarmac surface. Resin-bound driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a brilliant substitute for gravel, block paving, asphalt or concrete. A resin driveway should give many years of excellent service, and when laid by a reputable installer, come with a long guarantee. (Tags: Resin Driveways, Resin-Bound Driveways, Resin-Bonded Driveways).

Concrete Driveways

Strong, durable and requiring little maintenance, concrete is an excellent material for driveways. With regards to cost, concrete is about average for driveway construction, being costlier than asphalt or gravel, but less costly than resin or block paving. Many would agree that concrete driveways in general are rather drab and uninspiring. But this doesn't have to be the case, since it's quite possible to finish the surface off with a stamped or imprinted 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.

Your Home's Curb Appeal - How To Enhance It For Less

Have you heard of the term curb appeal before? This is talking about how your home looks from the sidewalk. So if you're trying to sell your home, you might want to consider outside home improvement projects that will make it look better. It is important that you appreciate the way that your home looks, which is why improving the curb appeal is something you ought to do anyway. Hopefully, this article will help you decide on ways to improve your home's curb appeal.

Among the many projects you could take on for a new look to make your home have a more attractive curb appeal, would be painting. You have to start somewhere, but take the time to make sure you will need to go to that extreme. If you like the color of your home's exterior and the paint isn't too old or chipped, you might want to consider power washing it. You will be amazed at the difference it will make and it will be a lot easier on you pocketbook. It is unbelievable how filthy your home can get without you even knowing it is happening. You can find people that will do the job for you for a reasonable amount, or you can really save and do the job yourself by renting the unit. If you leave out any of the structures, they will look even worse than before; so make sure to pressure wash everything that can be.

To improve your curb appeal, you might also want to make your home look appealing and inviting. There really is no need to spend a wad of cash on this idea; you simply need to put something up that looks nice and fun. Your front porch should definitely have a few colorful flowers, as well as some potted plants to make it look all-natural. Find a convenient spot that you are okay with to put each of your plants so that everyone can see it and be impressed. Furniture on the lawn is also something that catches the eye, something like wrought iron lawn furniture will definitely do the trick. Lawn decorations are another option, but you shouldn't go too far with this.

You might have to get other peoples' impressions to do an absolute job of revitalizing your dwellings curb appeal. Pick the brain of your relatives or chums whose thoughts you have respect for on how your abode looks to them. Something else one could do is to take some awesome pics all around your residence. When you are done, view the images in such a way that the home belongs to someone else and figure out what augmentations you would perform. It's possible that you will be forced to view your residence in a new manner to honestly understand how to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

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. You should be well armed to at least make a start to capitalize on curb appeal; although if you take a stroll around your residence, you will surely find a lot of things you could do to improve.

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