When you are installing a patio, you can use many of the same materials as you would for driveway paving in Kent, but you could use additional materials such as marble, which is probably not the best idea for a driveway.

Many of our customers opt for paving slabs or paving blocks for a patio. Paving slabs are large paving stones and one of the most common choices. They create a clean look and cover a large space efficiently. Paving blocks are shaped like bricks and are smaller and thicker than slabs, so they can work well as smaller decorative edging around patios. You could also have carpet stones which are stone cobbles pre-laid on to a flexible mat. This can give you a rustic cobbled look without the need to lay each stone individually.

Several Possible Materials

There are several possibilities when it comes to materials, such as natural stone, for one. This is hard-wearing and durable, and because it is natural the patterns and colours can, and will, vary from one piece to another.

Another choice for your patio is natural slate. This is becoming more and more popular for patios and is available in a soft bluish black which is ideal for contemporary gardens, or a multi-coloured finish for more traditional gardens.

Natural limestone is another possibility, and this has consistent colouring across the slabs, but each has veining in it. Natural sandstone is also available, and this can be provided in a variety of colours. It has variations of colouring and also has veining within it.

Another option is porcelain, which has been fired up to 1,400 degrees to give it strength and durability. It won’t fade colour in the sunlight, and it is scratch-resistant. You might also choose granite slabs, which are noted for their exceptional strength, and for that reason are often used for driveways as well as patios.

Some driveway surfacing materials may be cheap to lay but can also need replacing in ten years or so. This is especially the case if you have heavy vehicles using them. For a patio, of course, weight is not an issue.

You can create a stunning looking driveway or patio using paving slabs in Kent. However, if you are going to use them on a driveway there are certain things that you need to take into account. Not all paving slabs are suitable for use on a driveway. Thin and delicate paving slabs will not be suitable because they won’t be able to withstand the pressure of vehicles rolling across them. There is also a constant weight when the car is parked.

So, if you are going to use paving slabs for your driveway, they need to be at least two inches thick, and preferably more. These will have the strength to cope with your vehicles and give you a driveway that will last.

The Sub-Base

However, there is another issue that you must take into account and that is the sub-base. If you don’t have a good strong sub-base, the driveway will not last as long as you would like it to, no matter what sort of paving slabs you used. If you want your driveway to last, the sub-base is the most important consideration.

The sub-base needs to be at least four inches thick, but it is much better to aim for six inches. A good sub-base material is known as DT Type 1, and it consists of a mix of crushed rock of varying sizes. Some may be ground very fine, while others could be as much as an inch across. This mix lets the sub-base interlock under pressure and creates a great base for your drive.

The sub-base needs to be laid in thin layers and compacted with a roller until you have arrived at the depth of six inches. This type of sub-base also helps with drainage of water on the surface of the drive. 

Furthermore, there are so many different kinds of paving that you can use for a patio that will enhance the appearance of your garden and have guests admiring your selection. At Base Driveways, we can create the perfect patio to your own design and using whatever kind of paving you choose.

Paving slabs in Kent are large paving stones with which you can create patterns. You might want square slabs, but you can also create designs with circles or different sizes of slab. Some people also like to edge the patio with a low brick wall and have a gravel topped narrow earth bed along the inside in which they can grow a variety of plants. It gives a nice clean look and yet you still get the beauty of the plants.

Paving blocks are shaped like bricks and are thicker than slabs. They are available in a range of colours and can be laid at right angles to each other creating a formal pattern, yet with the individuality of different colours laid together. This can give a very pleasing effect.

You can also use stones such as granite, which is an extremely hard-wearing stone and available in a range of colours, or perhaps natural limestone which often has veining and patterns in it which were created by the different minerals present when the limestone was formed all those thousands of years ago.

Sandstone is another choice and also has veining, and can be found in several different colours. Another way to achieve a simple rustic appearance is to use stone cobbles.

At Base Driveways we can create the patio of your choice so that you can enjoy as much as possible of your free time out in the sun and shake off the worries of the working day by relaxing and taking it easy.