Many families only have one or perhaps two cars, so they do not require a driveway that can deal with heavier vehicles such as SUV’s and trucks. However, we can produce a driveway in Kent that will handle whatever you throw at it and still come up smiling.

We always feel that not only do you need a driveway that can handle traffic, but you want one that helps with the aesthetic of your home. After all, your driveway is something that every passer-by is going to see, and so you want it to look great.

This is why many of our customers choose block paving in Kent for their driveways. However, another possibility is imprinted concrete. So, what are the pros and cons?

More Durable

Of the two, block paving is more durable and will last longer than imprinted concrete. The bricks are placed individually and locked together in a bond, so the weight of the vehicles is spread evenly. Even if some damage does occur, such as a split brick for instance, it is a very simple matter to remove it and replace it with another one.

On the other hand, imprinted concrete is simply a single layer of concrete poured on to a sub-base. It is quick and easy, and costs less than block paving. However, if you should suffer from structural damage such as a shrunken sub-base, then you cannot just repair one small area. You have to remove the entire sheet of concrete and start over again, which is expensive.

A big advantage of block paving for your driveway is that if you choose block paving that is permeable, when it rains the water will simply drain away through the blocks. So, you don’t finish up with puddles on your driveway. Imprinted concrete, however, is non-permeable, so that what happens is that water can linger on the surface. This also means that if your driveway is flat and you don’t have a drainage point, then you are going to need planning permission to build an imprinted concrete driveway.

Although block paving is more expensive initially – although not a lot more expensive – it is the best bet if you can afford it.

This is why more homeowners today are installing a driveway on which to park the car. First and foremost, it is right outside your door, so you don’t have to walk however far it is to wherever you parked it last night, and also the threat of vandalism diminishes almost to nothing.

So if you don’t have a driveway but do have a car, at Base Driveways we can help you. It’s what we do.

A well-installed driveway can add value to your home too, and there are many different choices of materials that you can use for it. We can install driveway paving in Kent in your choice of brick blocks, for instance. But you are not restricted to paving, because you could use concrete, shingles, resin bonding, or tarmac instead.

What you choose depends partly on the use to which you are going to put the driveway, such as whether it is just for a car or two, or for something heavier. It also depends very much on how the appearance of the finished driveway affects the overall appearance of your home. You can take a scroll through our Portfolio to see some of the different driveways we have installed recently. And, of course, there is always your budget to take into consideration.

In fact, some of the least expensive are tarmac driveways in Kent. And just before you think “Uuuurrrgghh”, tarmac today doesn’t have to be black!

No, you can have a tarmac driveway in a choice of different colours to complement the appearance of your home and the rest of your front garden. Alternatively, you can turn the whole of the front of your home into a driveway, and this has one big advantage. Once we have laid your new driveway, in whatever material you choose, it will never need mowing!

The name itself is derived from John MacAdam and is why it is also known as tarmacadam. Tar is a natural binding material and was used to hold stones together. Tarmac is also quick to lay and is very quick drying. We can lay a tarmac driveway and have it ready for use within a couple of days, provided there are no obstacles such as having to dig out tree roots.

Tarmac is also extremely weatherproof and is impermeable, so heavy rain will not affect it, and nor will frosts damage it, provided it has been laid correctly in the first place. It is essential to dig down deep enough to lay a base layer of 250mm of stone, and possibly more, depending upon the ground conditions. This must then be thoroughly compacted using machinery. You may also require us to lay a weed-suppressing felt to prevent weeds from growing on the tarmac. In addition, it is necessary to lay a drainage channel connected to a soakaway to ensure that surface water seeps away. 

Once the stone base has been compacted, we then lay a base layer of tarmac to a depth of 12.5mm and this is followed by a 25mm wearing course which will give you a superb looking driveway that should last for at least 20 years. Indeed, apart from anything else, we give you a five-year guarantee with your new drive. 

Tarmac may not appeal to everyone from the point of view of aesthetics, but it has a look that goes well with contemporary homes. You could also incorporate brick, stone, or paving within the tarmac in order to produce an individual look for your home. 

Tarmac is also environmentally friendly in the sense that it conserves natural resources since it can be recycled and reused time after time. 

If you have an existing driveway that is looking worn and tired, you may be able to install a tarmac overlay. It is cheaper than installing a new tarmac driveway, but the existing one will need to be stable and strong enough. At Base Driveways we will be able to advise you.