Garden Driveway Ideas London

Description: Natural stone paving and block paving come in a range of materials which includes sandstone, limestone, granite, marble and slate.

Suits: Because you have such a wide variety of colours, sizes, materials and the scope to create minimal to fancy patterns, paved driveways suit all properties. You can create a traditional or contemporary design. For traditional or rustic styles opt for the natural colours with a textured surface or cobbles. A smooth finish and grey colours would be more suited to contemporary properties.

Pros: Natural stone paving comes in a wide range of materials in a spectrum of colours from natural to brown, blue, green, red, grey and black. The stone can be cut in various sizes and shapes including round, rectangle, square and even hexagonal. You also have the scope to be creative with patterns such as herringbone, basket weave, fans, circular, running bond and more. The natural stone can be finished smooth or left with a rustic texture. A paved driveway can give your house first class kerb appeal, the materials are long lasting and very stylish.

Cons: The materials can be expensive and the fitting can be time consuming. If your ground is not properly levelled and the stones correctly laid you can have problems with drainage and weeds. It is important to consult an expert who has the relevant experience.

Natural Stone Driveway

Description: Concrete blocks and paving is popular because the material can be cost effective. Don’t just think it has to be grey and boring either because it can be stamped with a texture or pattern and also comes in a range of colours.

Suits: Concrete driveways can complement most properties due to the wide variety of options. Contemporary properties are perhaps the best suited as are minimal eighties, sixties and seventies architecture. If you have a period property, choose concrete paving and blocks with the appearance of natural stone.

Pros: Concrete can be cost effective, especially due to the fact that maintenance is minimum. The wide range of options in terms of the textures and colours also makes it easy to find a suitable design you like. Concrete can be made to look like natural stone paving but at a fraction of the price, for example you can buy cobbles made from concrete.

Cons: As with any paving it should be professionally laid to avoid weeds growing and must be level.

Contemporary Paved Driveway with Concrete Slabs and Cobbles

Description: Bricks, or blocks which appear to be bricks, are often used for driveways. Other names used for these are clay pavers, driveway block and block paving. These can be made from a number of materials including clay, concrete and reconstituted stone.

Suits: The brick effect suits traditional properties. However, if you opt for a grey colour it would also complement contemporary architecture.

Pros: Brick effect driveways can give your property a luxurious appearance. The brick shape lends itself to creating interesting patterns such as herringbone. The colour options can range from natural through to red and dark grey.

Cons: Time consuming to lay so could be expensive if you have a large driveway.

Brick Effect Driveway

Description: Driveway created using gravel, a loose aggregation of small stones worn by water pounded. The gravel can come in various sizes and colours. For a gravel driveway you need to first ensure the ground is flattened and properly covered to stop weeds coming through. The gravel is then spread on top.

Suits: This type of material suits a period or traditional home from cottages to mock Tudor and Victorian properties.

Pros: Gravel has a pleasant appearance. Some people like the sound of gravel when you drive over it. It can be a cost effective way of covering a wide space but only if you take steps to keep the weeds under control from the beginning. With a gravel driveway preparation is paramount.

Cons: If the preparation is not carried out properly you may get weeds growing through. If the gravel is too deep you will see grooves from the car tiers. The gravel is noisy which some people find annoying. You might need to sweep stray gravel from pathways and some may become tread inside the home. If you are a fan of wearing high heels, you will find this surface difficult to walk on.

Period Property Gravel Driveway