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If you feel a driveway is right for you, and you've got more than enough space to put one, you'll now need to establish what type of driveway you're going to construct. Driveways come in all sizes and shapes and can be made from a number of different materials, some might be more suitable than others. If you are working to a strict budget your options might be limited somewhat. Other things that could have an affect on your final decision will be the configuration and size of your garden, and precisely how the driveway is going to sit with your house aesthetically.

If you have a quick stroll around the streets of, you will get an appreciation of all the different types of driveway that other folks have installed, and perhaps get some inspiration for what your own drive could look like. Contingent on the landscape and layout of your garden you should 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?

Although you might presume that you're entitled to plonk a driveway anywhere you like on your property, this isn't automatically true. There are UK-wide regulations addressing the laying of driveways, not merely local ones. As we speak these only apply to front gardens. Ever since 2008 driveway installations in the British Isles have come under the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), which was introduced by the government at that time.

If you are hoping to install a driveway with an area of more than 5m2 and it's in your front garden, you are going to be impacted by these SuDS legislation. This demands that your drive is constructed from gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock, so that excess water can readily drain away safely without causing floods. If you reckon that the SuDS regulations will affect your planned driveway in TOWN, you can get full details by clicking here - Sustainable Drainage Systems

Obviously it's perfectly possible for you to install your own driveway, if you are fairly good at do-it-yourself and don't mind a bit of hard work. But nobody should think of this as an easy task, since there's a lot of preparation work involved in addition to the actual laying of the driveway, including manhandling materials, digging out and doing waste removal. When all is said and done, it may be best to bring in a professional driveway specialist, if you are in any doubt tackling it yourself.

With this sort of work, you have to be mindful about who you employ, seeing as you naturally need to find someone who knows their stuff. There are lots of cowboys and rogue traders out there who'll happily pocket your money and do an poor quality job (or perhaps no work at all in some cases!). If you are going to build a driveway you might as well get it done to a decent standard, even if that means shelling out a little more on the enterprise. Patio and driveway installers who have been working in and around your area for several years would be the smart choice.

When vetting installers 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).

It is not necessary to be too pushy with this questioning, because what you are really endeavouring to achieve is get an idea about the type of individual that you're going to be working with. If they're willing to answer all these questions, you can consider that they are reliable. You should steer clear if they are hesitant or hostile when asked these kinds of questions, since it is likely they're hiding something or being less than truthful.

If you choose your driveway installer carefully you will find that they can give you loads of practical advice and guidance about the perfect materials to employ and the most suitable type of driveway for your garden. And that is not the end of it, because they'll also be in charge of all the design, preparation and planning that's necessary for your new driveway installation to go like clockwork.

Gravel Driveways

Of all the types, the ubiquitous gravel driveway is the most economical and easiest. In spite of their simplicity gravel driveways can be quite an attractive option, especially in rural settings where they are the most popular. Because there's such a wide range of gravel sizes and shades, you shouldn't have any difficulties finding one that you are satisfied with. For gravel driveways to be successful they need a solid base of hardcore, and firmly-bedded edging. The finest gravel driveways result from putting down three or four layers of shingle, with each individual layer rolled and left to settle down before laying the following layer. Irrespective of what size your driveway is, or if it is in your back or front garden, if it is made from gravel it will not need to apply for planning permission, since it will be SuDS compliant.

Asphalt Driveways

When you're looking for 'curb appeal' for your home or property in, an asphalt driveway, with its smooth uninterrupted surface, is an ideal choice. When put in by a reputable company, an asphalt driveway will give you many years of trouble free use with very little maintenance. You can even get porous asphalt solutions whereby rainwater can drain away into a sub-grade reservoir, rather than run off into highway drains, which are known to trigger localised flood risks.

Asphalt driveways offer very good value and asphalt is a strong, durable material that's designed to endure freezing and thawing effects of a typical British winter. Asphalt is easily and cheaply maintained and repaired, and can be removed if your circumstances change in the future. It could be considered the most eco-friendly of solid driveway surfaces as it's even possible for an asphalt driveway to be recycled and used in another location.

Block Paved Driveways

Block-paved driveways are among the most favoured styles in at the moment, and scores of these have sprung up in recent times. These are created using hundreds of specially designed block-paving bricks which are butted together to form attractive and interesting patterns. As soon as the blocks have been laid and firmly tamped down, the gaps are filled with kiln-dried sand which is brushed into the exposed joints. After 5 or 6 months it is advisable to get your block-paved driveway sealed with a suitable sealant (such as Thompson's), this should help to stop weed growth. There are a variety of designs in which block paving is laid, including basket weave, stretcher bond, herringbone and fan.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: To comply with SuDS block paving driveways are perfectly feasible by slightly adjusting the traditional technique. Bigger gaps than normal are left in between the bricks and as opposed to the usual kiln-dried sand, these are packed with a very fine aggregate material. (Tags: Block Paving Driveway, Block Paved Driveways, Block Paving).

Natural Stone Driveways

The characteristics of natural stone means that it only improves with age. This dense, compact material looks the business on a driveway and will provide a lifetime of good service for any vehicles you may own. It provides your house with a driveway that, due to the distinctive colours and tones of the individual stones, is entirely bespoke to you. When correctly installed, a natural stone driveway has that all important curb appeal that complements any home.

Unlike some driveway alternatives, driveways made from natural stone are less vulnerable to damage and are far easier to maintain and look after. The smaller joints between the stones means there's significantly less likelihood of unwanted weed growth, and the smooth, hard surface is a lot easier to clean. A stone driveway properly installed by a professional TOWN driveway company should be thought of as an investment that will add value to your property.

Driveway Cleaning

If your property already has a driveway, and you are thinking about changing it because it is looking tatty - why not give it a good clean instead? For a lot of home owners, maintaining the cleanliness of their driveway is not normally perceived as a priority. However, cleaning your driveway is crucial from both a maintenance and cosmetic viewpoint, and this procedure should really be completed fairly regularly. Weeds and other organic plant growth can weaken your driveway's structure with time. An enlargement of existing driveway crevices and cracks could ensue, and structural complications could occur if such harmful growth isn't eradicated.

It is preferable to remove dirt, weeds or stains from your driveway as soon as possible after you discover them. It isn't a good idea to hold out for the spring and summertime to arrive to jet wash your drive, even though these are the times when you are most likely to notice the appearance of moss and weeds. Brake fluid, petrol and oil spots from your vehicle can spoil the look of your drive. Thus it is essential to promptly remove them to prevent your driveway's surface being stained too seriously.

To clean your driveway properly you'll need the use of a power washing device, and additionally you'll need a few other tools and equipment, for instance a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent. If you are not certain about doing it yourself, or you haven't got the proper equipment, you could ask your driveway company if they are willing to do this, or bring in a professional driveway cleaning service.

Tarmac Driveways

Because of its durability and strength, tarmac is a great choice for surfacing driveways. When it is installed by a competent driveway company, tarmac offers exceptional weather resistant properties, looks good and doesn't need a lot maintenance. The durability of a tarmac driveway means it can withstand daily wear and tear from heavier vehicles, like motor-homes and trucks, with no ridges or damage being caused to the surface.

Tarmac is also excellent value for money and is available in an assortment of colours to match your property and the surrounding area. You can custom-build a tarmac drive to match your home, with countless colours on offer. The installation of a tarmac driveway is reasonably easy and can often be accomplished by a competent contractor in a single day. Lots of people pick tarmac over other driveway materials because of its durability, fast installation, low maintenance requirements and finish.

Resin-Bound Driveways

Among the most attractive and flexible types of driveway that are available at this time, resin driveways (or resin-bound driveways) are becoming ever more favoured and are also SuDS compliant, if that is what you are interested in. Resin-bound driveways can be customized to your requirements and can be installed in an array of different designs and colours. If you've a current tarmac or concrete driveway, an attractive new resin-bound surface can be laid over your existing one. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and a good alternative to gravel, block paving, concrete or asphalt. Normally coming with a long warranty when installed by an authorised specialist, a resin-bound driveway should give you excellent service for many years to come. (Tags: Resin-Bonded Driveways, Resin-Bound Driveways, Resin Driveways).

Concrete Driveways

Hard wearing, strong and requiring very little maintenance, concrete is an excellent material for building driveways. A straightforward choice for many householders, concrete costs less than block paving or resin, but if installed correctly is more durable and stronger. If you find concrete driveways to be rather drab and boring, it's possible to administer a patterned or imprinted finish to make them look much better. (Tags: Imprinted Concrete Driveways, Concrete Driveway, Concreted Driveway).

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.

Curb Appeal - Improving The Way Your Home Appears Outside

There are countless ways to give your home more curb appeal when you start giving the matter some thought. A few homeowners create the error in thinking that this doesn't hold a lot of importance since it is basically cosmetic. But, if selling your home is the goal, or if all you want to do is make it more welcoming and attractive, in all likelihood, what appears to be insignificant can be tremendously monumental. If your dwelling has a curb that is alluring, it is suggestive that the owner is meticulous and considerate.

Painting is usually what comes to mind when you start wondering what you can do to modernize your curb appeal. This is often a good idea, but it may not be necessary. Power washing your home may be an alternative to putting on new paint if there are no signs like chipping or weathering and the color is one that appeals to you. As basic a task as pressure washing is, you will see the incredible difference it can make, at a much lower cost than a paint job. When the grime builds up as slow as it does, it is hard to imagine it until you see the difference after washing. You have the option to rent a power washer to do the job or you can pay someone to do it for you. 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.

Improving your homes landscape enticement can happen with changes you weren't even aware were important. Every now and then as you stare at a thing for years every day, you have no knowledge of how it appears to other people. For instance, look intently at your garage door. Replacing the door is something that most people do not meditate on unless it no longer works. Though if the door is dingy and old, a big difference could be had with an upscale new one. The postal box is another item that is overlooked on a regular basis. Acquiring a contemporary mailbox won't break your budget, still if the one you own now is decrepit and broken down, you will feel inspired when you put in a new one.

Instead of putting paint on the outside of your house, a consideration might be to put new siding up. Many choices are out there for it, in addition it could produce a more modern looking home. It can also improve insulation and increase the value of your home. You could give your dwelling the look of typical stone or stucco without the cost of it, with stone or stucco veneer. If you want to consider new siding, or something like stone veneer for the exterior of your home, you should look into all the different possibilities and decide which most appeals to you.

If you're trying to sell your home, curb appeal is one home-improvement aspect that you should never forget about. Aside from this, the type of improvements discussed in this article will give you and anyone who visits a better feeling about your household. 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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