Paving – advice for paving patios, driveways and paths
Paving looks great whether you’re constructing a patio, driveway or garden path. Find out about paving design, materials, cost and installation here.
Paving works well for patios,
garden paths and driveways
There are many areas of your home where you’ll want to use paving, especially in the garden. Paving is commonly used for patios and garden paths and is referred to in garden design as ‘hard landscaping’. Martin Gomm, from Wycliffe Landscapes Ltd in Dorset says: “We will design around the larger features like decking or patios, positioning them according to where the sun falls in the garden.” Many people also choose to pave their driveways as well as any kerbs or steps around the outside of the house.
Paving materials
Concrete paving slabs – “This is the cheapest type of paving material and the most common option for driveways,” says Luke Wilkins, from the Driveway Company in Milton Keynes. Concrete paving comes in a range of colours and finishes and is a fairly durable, low maintenance and easy to install option. However, since the colour pigment is artificial, it may fade over time.
Natural stone paving is
a popular choice
Stone paving – for long-lasting, durable and unique paving, stone is an obvious choice. No two pieces of stone look the same and if sealed and maintained, it can literally last a lifetime without the design wearing away. New imported types of stone are now growing in popularity; Rob, from Plantazia Patios and Walls in Kent explains that: “Imported options, like sandstone from India have become more common; they are cheaper and still look great.” Stone is a comparatively expensive paving option, so to cut costs try using reclaimed stone salvaged from other projects.
Clay paving – this material has been used for decades to pave garden patios and driveways and is similar to concrete in durability and thickness. Clay is a natural material which comes in a range of shades and colours which permeate the entire thickness of the paving slab, so design won’t fade over time.
Paving design
Customise your paving
by choosing different
shapes and colours
Paving slabs and tiles come in different shapes and textures; there are roughly four different kinds:
- Standard paving – this is the cheapest and most popular paving type; it is usually rectangular and has slightly chamfered corners (rounded edges) to prevent cracking. You can make standard paving more interesting by arranging slabs in different patterns.
- Tumbled blocks – to create an old, traditional or weathered look, paving blocks are put in a large mixer and ‘tumbled together’. This results in an authentic, old-fashioned finish and is a great option for older, rustic properties. It is often used in public streets to match the character of the area.
- Industrial paving – this category includes paving used for non-residential properties and is normally particularly hard-wearing. Examples include special sealed paving which is used in chemical areas, or heavy duty slabs designed for very large, industrial loads.
- Decorative paving – this includes more unusual paving shapes, like hexagonal tiles or curved options. Different textures are also available but these may be expensive and are likely to fade over time.
How to lay paving
It is important to lay paving correctly,
for best results hire a professional
“Paving can lift easily if not laid correctly,” warns Rob, “You should always hire a professional to install hard landscaping.” Paving methods vary slightly in terms of materials but follow the same general structure; a sub-base is laid consisting of broken brick, stone or a concrete mix called hardcore. Once this is levelled out a bedding layer of either mortar or sand (common as a more flexible option for level driveways) is laid to settle the paving slabs or tiles into. It is important that gaps of a few millimetres are left between the slabs and that they are arranged carefully in the desired pattern. The gaps are finally filled with mortar or sharp sand afterwards. “We use concrete bedding layers for patios and paths and sharp sand for driveways,” points out Luke.
Planning permission for paving projects
If you live in a listed building you may need to apply for planning permission when planning paving of any kind. Otherwise, when installing a patio you won’t need permission as long as you’re not making significant embanking work. For driveways of more than five square meters in size, you must make sure that you either use a permeable material like gravel, concrete or natural stone which absorbs water, or slope the driveway to provide an effective runoff. To satisfy building regulations when paving, don’t make access to the home more difficult, for example by adding steps where there were none previously. Always make sure that paving work does not breach your home’s damp proof course.
Paving is low maintenance
and easy to install
Paving maintenance
Paving is low maintenance, requiring occasional sweeping and weeding. Make sure that you only use weed killer as a last resort because harsh chemicals can harm paving materials. “Paving should only need jet washing maybe once a year otherwise,” says Rob.
How much does paving cost?
The cost of paving will vary depending on the amount, type, design and materials that you choose. As a rough guide stone is the most expensive paving material, concrete the cheapest: “Concrete blocks can cost as little as £12 per square metre, natural sandstone around £25,” suggests Luke. Regular shaped, rectangular paving blocks in a standard finish are the cheapest option; you might pay more for unusual paving block shapes and textures.
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