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If you do opt to forge ahead with your driveway installation your next step will be to decide what type of driveway you want. You will doubtless be aware already that there are many different driveway solutions available and not every one of these will be of interest to you. Prices will fluctuate significantly across these various styles of driveway, therefore your possible options could be limited if you've only got a certain amount of money to use. The configuration and size of your property's garden may also affect your final decision.

If you have a quick walk around some nearby streets, you'll see all the various types of driveway that other people have put in, and perhaps get a bit of inspiration for your own driveway. Contingent on the landscape and layout of your garden you will be able to pick 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?

Though you might assume that council planning permission won't be required for a driveway installation on your own land, this is not always the case. Driveways are actually covered by a number of regulations and rules, and these are applicable on a national scale rather than being just locally binding. These regulations only apply to driveways in front gardens at this time. Ever since 2008 driveway installations in the UK have been covered by the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), which was introduced by the government at that time.

Driveways being installed in front gardens having an area of more than 5m² are covered by the SuDS regulations. In order for a driveway to be in compliance with it should be made from a porous (permeable) material that permits excess water to soak through it. Materials that are SuDS compliant include such things as: gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock. You can take a look at the Sustainable Drainage Systems legislation here - Sustainable Drainage Systems

Some people might be tempted to have a go at building their own driveway, particularly if they don't mind a bit of hard graft and are reasonably good at DIY. But you shouldn't imagine that installing driveways is a simple task by any means, seeing as aside from actually laying the driveway there is lots of carting materials, excavating and waste removal involved in this sort of project. If you are in any doubt about whether you'd be able to complete a project like this, it would perhaps be best to hire an established driveway paver instead.

Due to the nature of this kind of project, it is not always easy to track down dependable tradesman who can be guaranteed to do a decent job. You should watch out for cowboys and rogue trader types who are well known for targeting this kind of project, and can can soon catch you by surprise if you aren't careful. If you would like your completed driveway to endure, and look good for many years to come, you might as well get it done properly and by somebody with some know-how. It would be best to search for locally based driveway contractors and landscape gardeners who have been offering their services in the area for a good few years.

When assessing paving contractors for your driveway project, you ought 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).

This doesn't have to be an inquisition, however asking these pertinent questions should give you a perception of the type of individual that you're dealing with. Anybody who's willing to answer all your questions, and put your mind at rest about the standard of the work they'll be doing, will very likely also be trustworthy and honest. If they act in a uncertain or hostile way when asked these kinds of questions, you can deem that they're less than honest or hiding something - so give them a miss.

Choosing a quality tradesman is crucial, as should you manage to hire a reputable driveway installer, they'll not just do a good job, but also give you advice on the most appropriate materials, style and location for your new driveway. Before any actual physical work begins your driveway specialist will ensure that all the necessary preparation, planning and design work is in hand.

Gravel Driveways

Of all the driveway styles, the ubiquitous gravel driveway is the most economical and simplest. In rural locations, gravel driveways are particularly popular and can be very attractive in spite of their simplicity. Gravel can be obtained in a host of shades and sizes, so you should not have any trouble finding one that looks good in your garden. A good solid layer of hardcore is needed for a gravel drive to be successful, coupled with a firmly-bedded edging. If you apply three or four separate layers of aggregate, each individual one rolled and tamped and left to settle, you'll get the best quality gravel driveway. No matter what size your driveway is, or if it's in your back or front garden, if it's built from gravel it will not need to apply for planning permission, as it will automatically be SuDS compliant. (Tags: Gravel Driveways, Shingle Driveways, Aggregate Driveways).

Asphalt Driveways

When you're looking for 'curb appeal' for your property or home in, an asphalt driveway, with its smooth consistent surface, is an ideal choice. When laid by an experienced company, an asphalt driveway will provide many years of reliable use with a bare minimum of maintenance. If your local authority imposes restrictions that stop non-permeable materials being used on driveways, so as to preclude localised flooding, a special porous asphalt substrate permits rain to drain into a sub-layer.

Asphalt driveways offer exceptional value and asphalt is a strong, durable material which is designed to tolerate the freezing and thawing effects of a typical British winter. Due to how asphalt is made, it's also cheap and simple to repair, maintain and if required, remove. It could be considered the most eco-friendly of hard driveway materials as it is even possible for an asphalt driveway to be recycled and used in a different location.

Block Paving Driveways

Over the past few years scores of driveways in have appeared using the block-paved technique. Forming a robust and hard wearing driveway, many hundreds of specially designed block paving bricks are butted together in eye-catching and elaborate designs which can be personalized to meet your own requirements. The gaps that are left between the blocks are filled up using kiln-dried sand which is rigorously brushed into the joints, producing a pleasing finish. To get the best service and longest life out of your block paving driveway, you'll want to have it properly sealed after a few months to stop weed growth. Block paving can be laid in a variety of patterns, including basket weave, fan, stretcher bond and herringbone.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: Block paved driveways can even be made SuDS compliant, by leaving wider than standard gaps between the blocks, which can then be filled with very fine shingle in place of the traditional kiln-dried sand. (Tags: Block Paved Driveways, Block Paving Driveway, Block Paving).

Natural Stone Driveways

The characteristics of natural stone means it continually improves with age. Looking fantastic from day one to year fifty, a natural stone driveway will provide you with an entire lifetime of serviceable use for any motor vehicle. Due to the distinctive colours and depth of tones in the stone, you'll wind up with a driveway that's bespoke to your home. When installed by an expert, a natural stone driveway has that all important curb appeal that will complement any property.

A natural stone driveway is also a lot easier to maintain, and is less susceptible to cracking and damage from weather than concrete materials. The narrower gaps between the stones means there is considerably less likelihood of unwanted weed growth, and the smooth surface is easy to clean. An expertly prepared and laid natural stone driveway is an investment that will add considerable value to your home.

Driveway Cleaning

If you do not currently have a driveway in your garden, then obviously cleaning won't be necessary, however this is definitely something that you'll need to look at in the coming years. The process of cleaning a driveway, is one of those things that lots of folks put off, or ignore altogether. However, from both an aesthetic and maintenance perspective, cleaning a driveway is important, and this procedure should be done with a fair degree of regularity, not just once in a while. Your driveway's structure can be severely weakened over time, by weeds and other organic plant growth. If your driveway has existing holes or cracks, these could be widened which can eventually lead to structural issues.

It's preferable to remove weed growth, stains or dirt from your drive the minute you notice them. Although, weeds and moss are certainly more visible on your driveway in the spring and summer season, you ought not wait till then jet wash it. The appeal of your driveway can be really compromised by diesel, brake fluid and oil spots from your car. Thus it's essential to promptly get them cleaned to avoid your driveway's surface being stained too badly.

To clean your driveway correctly you'll need the use of a pressure washing machine, and you will also need a few other tools and equipment, for instance a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. You should get in touch with a specialist driveway cleaning service, if you are not confident in doing it yourself, or you don't have the correct equipment.

Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac is a popular driveway surface on account of its strength and durability. When laid by a competent driveway company it looks superb, is weatherproof and needs very little maintenance. The durability of a tarmac driveway means it is able to withstand daily wear and tear from larger and heavier vehicles, such as motor-homes and trucks, with no ridges or damage being noticeable on the surface.

If you want to colour tarmac, it is incredibly easy to do so, and it offers excellent value for money in comparison with alternative driveway options. You don't have to have a drab, traditional looking drive; you can customise your driveway to the colour of your choice. A tarmac drive is also one of the most straightforward to lay, and many driveway projects are finished in a single day. This ease of installation, in conjunction with its simple maintenance and high strength makes a tarmac driveway a decent alternative for almost any property.

Resin-Bound Driveways

Among the most attractive and flexible forms of driveway that are available today, resin-bound or resin driveways are becoming progressively more popular and also comply with SuDS, if that's what you are interested in. Available in a wide range of patterns and designs, resin driveways can be customized to your specifications, and laid to match any concept or theme. For a lot less hassle and mess a new resin driveway can easily be laid on top of a pre-existing asphalt or concrete surface. Resin-bound driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a good substitute for gravel, concrete, tarmac or block paving. When installed by a reputable professional, a resin driveway should come with an extended guarantee and give many years of reliable service.

Concrete Driveways

A very popular material for driveways, concrete is strong, durable and needs very little maintenance. With regards to price, concrete is about average for driveways, being costlier than gravel or asphalt, but cheaper than resin or block paving. Many would agree that concrete driveways in general are somewhat dreary and boring. Yet this doesn't have to be a problem, as it is possible to finish the surface 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.

Making The Best Impression With Your Home's Curb Appeal

What is curb appeal? It is the way you can increase your home's value by making it look outstanding to any passersby. Curb appeal is nothing more than how your house impacts somebody walking by. 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.

Any house that has a front lawn can actually utilize this green real estate to make their house have almost instant curb appeal. Lawns that are small or simple to take care of, whereas larger lawns take quite a bit of energy and focus. Regardless of how the upkeep is achieved, it needs to be done continuously by the owner or a hired hand. If you have weeds, they need to be pulled; if the grass is dry, it needs to be watered properly. If you're lawn has areas that are spotty, you might need to add new sod to these areas so it can grow back. Whatever you do, make sure that your lawn is always cared for, which means you might have to hire a lawn maintenance company to take care of it. You might have additional things to tend to including shrubbery and trees on the property.

The exterior of your home should be colorful, but you need to choose wisely. A simple exercise would be to imagine your home a completely different color and then compare it against the color that it is now. In addition to painting your house, you may want to think about changing the color of 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.

Curb appeal is just as important during the evening as it is in the daytime. You can actually change the impression your house exudes with the correct lighting. Your porch needs to be properly lit with lights that will emanate enough light to look appealing. Your can enhance your flower beds by installing showy lights that will give it a nice glow during the night. Outside lights are available in a lot of different designs; like old fashioned lanterns or trendy solar lights. Lights like these will be able to add brightness when the weather is dark and foreboding and will also add a secure atmosphere to all who may visit your residence.

Peering at your home from every possible angle is a good idea because curb appeal can be connected with many determinants. Create a list then follow it up with priorities, provided there are multiple things that need your attention. Afterward, make a time frame of working on these problems, regardless of whether you hire someone or do the work yourself. The above suggestions for giving your home more curb appeal can get you started in the right direction, and perhaps help you come up with more ideas of your own.

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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