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If you think that a driveway is just the thing for you, and you have plenty of space to put one, you will now need to determine what form of driveway you're going to construct. For a number of reasons, not every type of driveway will be of interest to you, and there are obviously plenty to pick from. Costs will vary appreciably across these various driveway styles, therefore your choices could be more limited if you've only got a certain amount of money to spend. The style and composition of your driveway could also be affected by the size and layout of your property.

Whilst wandering around you'll doubtless have noticed all the different styles of driveway. You will 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, in various states of repair, however this will give you a notion of some of the possible alternatives.

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 imagine that council planning permission is only mandatory for extensions, loft conversions and other equally large undertakings, but this isn't necessarily the case. The regulations that address driveways are not only set by the local council, but are in reality enforced by government law. These regulations only affect front gardens at this moment. The regulations that are currently in effect come from a government act of 2008 - the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

If you're planning a driveway having an area of more than 5m² and it is going to be in your front garden, you'll be impacted by these SuDS regulations. In order for your driveway to be compliant with SuDS it has to be made of a permeable (porous) material that permits excess rainwater to drain through it. Materials that comply with SuDS include such things as: gravel, permeable concrete, porous tarmac, resin, or grass monoblock. Check here - SuDS - if you believe that the Sustainable Drainage Systems legislation will affect your planned driveway in TOWN.

To some property owners, installing a driveway may not seem to be that difficult a task, and for someone who's good at do-it-yourself, it's by no means unthinkable. But you should not suppose that installing a driveway is an easy task by any means, seeing that aside from actually laying the driveway there is a whole lot of waste removal, digging out and hauling materials involved in such a project. That being said, it might be best to call in an experienced driveway paver, if you're in any doubt doing it yourself.

Genuine tradespeople are often not that easy to track down in relation to performing this sort of task, so you need to be mindful in choosing the right person or contractor. Regrettably, there are plenty of devious individuals out there who'll make the most of your circumstances and claim to be experts in this field. They will either produce low quality work, or just pocket your cash and disappear without a trace. Even if it means having to spend a little more on the enterprise, you may as well get it done properly by an expert. If a locally based driveway company has been running a business in and around your area for a number of years, it's reasonable to assume that they will be reliable, and a good choice for your assignment.

When screening these tradesmen, 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).

There's no need to be too aggressive with this questioning, because what you are really aiming to achieve is get an inkling of the sort of tradesman that you are going to be dealing with. If they are relaxed about answering all of these questions, you can consider that they are trustworthy. You should steer clear if they act in a uncertain or hostile way when asked these kinds of questions, because it is likely they're hiding something or being less than honest.

If you are wary and choose an excellent driveway contractor, they will help you to make all the most important judgements regarding your project, including the most suitable materials, the preferred location and the ideal driveway design. They will also help you with the design, preparation and planning, so that everything is in hand before any actual work commences on your driveway.

Gravel Driveways

Of all the available types, the standard gravel driveway is the easiest and cheapest. Despite their simplicity gravel driveways can be an extremely eye-catching option, especially in rural locations. You should not have any problem finding a type of gravel that looks good in your garden, given that there are an array of sizes and colours on the market. For gravel driveways to be successful they need a robust base layer of hardcore, and substantial, well-bedded edging. If you apply three or four separate layers of stones, each and every one tamped and rolled and left to settle down, you'll get the most effective gravel driveway. You won't need to apply for planning permission with a gravel driveway, seeing as it will be SuDS compliant no matter how large it is, or whether it's in your front or back garden.

Asphalt Driveways

When you are looking for that extra touch of 'curb appeal' for your home in, an asphalt driveway, with its smooth continuous surface, is an ideal choice. A proficient driveway company in will supply you with an asphalt drive which will give you many years of good service, with minimal maintenance involved. In flood risk areas it may be required to have a permeable drive, and there's a type of asphalt sub-base for rain run-off, which prevents surplus water from filling road drainage systems.

Asphalt driveways offer extremely good value and asphalt is a strong, durable material which is perfect for withstanding freezing and thawing effects of a typical British winter. Asphalt is cheap and easy to maintain and repair, and is not too difficult to remove should your circumstances change. It could be seen to be the most eco-friendly of hard driveway surfaces as it is even possible to recycle an asphalt drive for use in a different location. (Tags: Asphalt Driveways, Asphalt Driveway, Asphalt Driveway Recycling).

Block Paving Driveways

Block-paved driveways are among the most favoured designs in right now, and scores of these seem to have emerged in recent times. Forming attractive and interesting designs, hundreds of specially designed block paving bricks are butted together to create a robust and hard wearing driveway. The gaps that are left between the blocks are filled up with kiln-dried sand which is rigorously brushed into the joints, producing a pleasing finish. After a few months it is preferable to get your block paving driveway sealed with a suitable sealant (such as Rycal), this helps to stop weed growth. Block paving can be made very attractive and can be laid a number of patterns, including fan, herringbone, stretcher bond and basket weave.

SuDS Compliant Block Paving Driveways: Block paved driveways can even be made SuDS compliant, by leaving wider than normal spaces between the blockwork, which can then be packed with very fine shingle instead of the traditional kiln-dried sand.

Natural Stone Driveways

Natural stone, as a driveway material, never loses its beautiful appearance even as it gets older. Looking the business from the first day until fifty years in the future, a natural stone driveway will give you a whole lifetime of use for any motor vehicle. Due to the unique depth of tone and colours of the stone, you'll finish up with a driveway which is bespoke to your home. It gives that all important wow factor and curb appeal that every householder desires.

A driveway made from natural stone is also far easier to maintain, and is less at risk of damage and cracking from weather than concrete based materials. The smooth, solid surface of the natural stones means they are easy to keep clean, and weeds find it harder to gain a foothold in the smaller gaps of a stone driveway. An expertly prepared and laid stone driveway is a sound investment which will add to the appeal and value to your home.

Driveway Cleaning

If your property has already got a driveway, and you're thinking about changing it because it is looking scruffy - why not clean it instead? For a lot of people, it is not usually a priority to keep their driveway clean. Yet, from both a maintenance and aesthetic perspective, cleaning a driveway is vital, and this procedure should be carried out with some regularity, not just now and then. Unwanted weeds and plant growth can damage the structure of your driveway as time passes. If your drive has existing cracks or fractures, these can easily be widened which may eventually lead to structural issues.

If stains, weed growth or dirt appear on your driveway, removing them as soon as possible is advisable. However, the springtime and summer is when you're most likely to notice the appearance of moss and weeds, you ought not wait till them to jet or pressure wash your drive. The appearance of your driveway can be seriously blighted by diesel, brake fluid and oil stains from your vehicle. You must remove these immediately, so that any unattractive staining of the driveway's surface is prevented.

You will need some tools and equipment such as a bucket, a scraper, a broom, a wire brush and detergent, along with a power washer, so as to get your driveway totally clean. A specialist driveway cleaning service may be required if you haven't got the correct equipment, or don't have the confidence to clean it yourself. You may even find that your local driveway installers will be willing to provide this service.

Tarmac Driveways

Due to its durability and strength, tarmac is an excellent choice for the surface of a driveway. When laid by a proficient driveway company it offers exceptional weather resistant properties, doesn't need a lot maintenance and looks fantastic. Tarmac driveways can contend with larger vehicles, such as camper vans and trucks, without dimpling or damage to the surface, and will look pristine for many years to come.

It offers great value, and tarmac can be coloured to complement the surroundings or your home. You're able to custom-build a tarmac drive to blend in with your home or property, with various colours on offer. The installation of a tarmac driveway is relatively straightforward and can often be achieved by a competent contractor in a day. Tarmac is truly a perfect material for virtually any driveway, due to its ease of installation, resilience and low maintenance properties.

Resin Driveways

Among the most attractive and flexible styles of driveway that are available at this time, resin-bound driveways (or resin driveways) are becoming more and more favoured and also comply with SuDS, if that's what you're in need of. Resin-bound driveways can be customized to your specifications and come in a wide range of different colours and designs. For far less mess and hassle a new resin driveway can quickly be laid on top of a pre-existing concrete or tarmac surface. Resin driveways are easy to clean, maintenance free, durable, permeable, and an awesome alternative to asphalt, gravel, block paving or concrete. When laid by an approved installer, a resin-bound driveway should come with an extended guarantee and give years of excellent service. (Tags: Resin Driveways, Resin-Bound Driveways, Resin-Bonded Driveways).

Concrete Driveways

Well suited for building driveways, and a much favoured material for many years, concrete has got the advantage of being strong, hard wearing and largely maintenance-free. Being more costly that gravel or tarmac, but considerably cheaper than some other alternatives (i.e. block paving or resin), concrete is an easy choice for many homeowners. For many householders, the downside of concrete is its rather boring and drab appearance, but this can be easily addressed by asking for a stamped or imprinted finish. (Tags: Concrete Driveways, Stamped Concrete Driveways, 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.

Great Techniques for a Great Curb Appearance for Your Home

Curb appeal is what realtors are chatting about when they are thinking about boosting the appearance of a house that may go up for sale. If you are tossing the idea of selling your home around or not; curb appeal is something that you may want to toss around in that discussion. Most of these projects are not big and are simple to upgrade, but they can make a huge positive change for the whole appearance of your home. Below we will offer you some methods you can apply for improved 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. Even though this may sound like the place to start, you might need to think twice. You should inspect the existing paint for cracking, or blistering and if the color is satisfactory; you ought to simply power wash it. By taking this route, you will be saving money, it will be simple and you will be pleasantly surprised how great it will look. You hardly realize the collection of dirt and residue that encrusts your home overtime. 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.

It is important to make the outside of your home look very welcoming and inviting for those that pass by. How you do this will depend on your tastes, but there's no need to spend a lot of money or go to extremes. Your front porch should definitely have a few colorful flowers, as well as some potted plants to make it look all-natural. You can also hang these plants from convenient hooks, or just place them on the railing for all to see. Furniture on the lawn is also something that catches the eye, something like wrought iron lawn furniture will definitely do the trick. People that add lawn decorations typically overdo it, so keep that in mind as you plan your front lawn.

When people look at a home, the walkway to the front door should look very inviting, something that you should improve on at your home. Options include adding colorful flowers on either side that people will see as they walk toward your home. People that drive-by will definitely be impressed if you put in a new driveway over the old one. The appearance and feel of your driveway, however it ends up looking, is very important to those that visit. So if your driveway is full of potholes, clutter that belongs in your garage or even things like leaves or branches, do everything you can to clean it up and make it more welcoming. Guests should always feel important. This includes people that drive into your driveway or those that walk to your house for a social visit.

Curb appeal is one aspect of home improvement that you shouldn't overlook, especially if you want to sell your home. This article has shown you a variety of ways to introduce curb appeal to your home, however, these improvements can simply be done to make you happier. The bottom line is that once you improve the curb appeal of your house, people will know you really care about it.

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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