4 Popular Types of Driveways in the UK

Nothing quite rivals the feeling of driving into your home after a long hard day at work. One can claim this amounts to reading too much into what is after all an inanimate part of your home but those who recognise the feeling, cherish it deeply. That said, there comes a point when your driveway needs a facelift after years of use. If that is the case with your driveway and if the numerous driveway options are confusing you, this guide might prove handy. Explained below are some driveway types UK households and businesses prefer the most.

Concrete Driveways

Arguably the most popular driveway material, concrete is cheap to install and has excellent durability. A concrete driveway is also capable of carrying a fair amount of weight and requires almost no maintenance. Another advantage is that concrete lends itself well to different appearances and customisations. You can stamp or dye your concrete driveway or even augment it for a premium appearance.

Traditional concrete weaknesses include a susceptibility to irreparable stains (oil or tire marks) and erosion upon exposure to road salt. Other downsides include cracking because of severe cold weather and an imperviousness to water. But these are issues that can be avoided if you hire a good driveway builder.

Stone or Gravel Driveways

Did you know gravel driveways are useful to ward off burglars because of the noise they make when a car drives or a human being walks over them! Stone or gravel driveways are also one of most inexpensive driveway materials since they are available quite easily. And there is no installation cost either with them. Moreover, you can buy gravel in several different colours and customise your driveway’s appearance to your liking.

Since gravel are nothing but small stones, they tend to shift and spread around after some time. They are also prone to weed and grass growth. Because of these issues, gravel driveways need more attention and maintenance than other driveway types. Importantly, gravel driveways are not suitable for areas with heavy snowfall.  

Asphalt or Tarmac Driveways

Asphalt holds up well against drastic changes in temperature as its dark hue retains heat, which is also useful to melt and clear accumulated snow. Asphalt is also quite cheap, especially if you opt for the recycled variety. The same could be said for repairing an asphalt driveway too as relaying a fresh layer is all you need.

But asphalt’s cost advantage is offset by the need to maintain it regularly. A resealing job once every three to four years is necessary to protect the asphalt from car fluid chemicals and weather erosion. From an aesthetic perspective, the tarmac’s dark hue means you have no customisation options whatsoever.

Block Paver Driveways

Block pavers make for the fanciest looking driveways and are made in several varieties. Concrete paver blocks tend to be cheaper while pavers made from natural stone, brick, and clay are pricier. The best thing about paver driveways is that in case of damage, you can simply switch the affected blocks with new ones rather than tearing up the whole driveway. There are also permeable paver blocks that allow excess water to seep into the ground. So if you want a driveway material that can take some weight off the sewer system during rains and irrigate your lawn naturally, paver blocks are the way to go.

On the downside, installing paver blocks is expensive and finding the right replacements to match your existing layout can be tough. Paver blocks also tend to attract algae and moss rather easily, which means you have to maintain them often.

These are four of the most common driveway types in the UK. There are some less common alternative driveway materials too that homeowners can opt for. These include brick, cobblestone, and resin-bound driveways.    

Brick Driveways – A driveway made of bricks looks classy. And since bricks can be bought in an assortment of colours, one can use them to reproduce the look of any driveway. The most glaring drawback of bricks however is that they are costly.

Cobblestone Driveways – Famed for their timelessness, cobblestone driveways can be done up in a variety of designs and patterns. They are also unmatched when it comes to durability and can hold up for years together with the bare minimum of maintenance. On the downside, cleaning a cobblestone driveway can get dicey owing to the inconsistent surface. And since a cobblestone driveway is not as mainstream as before, finding the right people to build or repair them is neither easy nor pocket-friendly.  

Resin-bound Driveways – Driveways made of resin-bound material are finding more patrons with each passing day. That’s because the material is flexible, available in a multitude of colours, and water permeable. However, these driveways need to be installed with utmost care and skill. A failure to do so can lead to cracks and a shifting or lifting up of their top surface.

Choosing the right material for your driveway then is as much a function of what you want and what you can afford as of where you live. If you’d like some help with deciding which type of driveway to choose, do get in touch with us. Complete Drives & Patios offers innovative and quality building services for patios and drives Essex and its residents have come to trust and love over the years. Call us for expert advice on which driveway design and material is best suited to your needs and get a ‘FREE’ quote in return.