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The streets of the UK suburbia are replete with block paving. One would say you’d hardly find a patio or driveway that wasn’t constructed with block paving.
What’s the reason behind the popularity of block pavers?
First off, block pavers are easily accessible ranging from home-décor stores to garden centres and builder merchants.
There are a plethora of standard sizes, colours and shapes to choose from. The most glamorous garden designers will find as many as they want to bring their ideas to life.
They are quite affordable and you’ll find they come in a variety of materials. On average, they don’t cost quite different from any other ground covering available for purchase. They are also easily replaced if you want something different or if they become damaged, but such work should be left to professionals.
This article will focus on the types of block paving that exist, their benefits, cost of purchase and installation, and other materials required for installing them.
Cost of Block Paving Materials
If you’re open to DIY installation at Southampton Driveway Pro, you’ll need to know what the materials you need are going to cost ahead of time. Block paving comes in clay, brick and natural stone with varying costs to suit your budget.
Concrete blocks cost between £20 – £60 per m², while clay blocks cost between £70 and £100 per m². Natural stone is slightly more expensive, costing between £50 and £105 per m².
The total cost depends on the size of your drive. A small drive measures about 40 m² and can take a maximum of two cars while a medium drive fits 3 to 4 cars at 70m². A larger drive is around 100m² and should take four cars maximum.
Additional Material Requirements
A good foundation is required when laying block pavers. This means the ground should be stable, flat, and with a gentle slope to drain out water during rainfall. Let’s go through the material requirements for setting up a 50m2 drive in the United Kingdom on “Price Your Job,” checking the costs of materials and how much it costs to pave a driveway.
- Calculate the area of the drive to derive the number of blocks and edgings. You should add 10% extra of the total number of block pavers to account for breakage.
- Lay up about 50mm of sharp sand on the hardcore as a bed before pavers are laid. Be sure to fill voids and vibrate the sand as you do this.
- Make sure the hardcore fills the excavation as a firm base on which sharp sand is then laid. You should lay it to a depth of 100m at least, and compact the stone to correct the depth as you do so.
- Make sure you have skips handy. You’ll need about 3 large skips for a drive of 50m2.
- Some extra supplies you’ll need include Kiln Dried Sand and Weed Membrane. The Dried Sand is meant to fill spaces between pavers while the Weed Membrane is laid below the hardcore to prevent plant undergrowth.
Merits of Block Paving
A well-constructed block paving gives your drive, pathways, and terrace a more appealing look especially if you use colours that complement the texture and colour of your building.
To achieve this look, it is best to use clay, stone, or concrete blocks because they can be arranged in patterns to complement and contrast each other. Below are a few of the benefits of block pavers.
Block pavers are made from natural materials so they absorb rainwater which they release gradually, eradicating the effect of surface runoff. They come in different styles, colours, and textures which can be arranged in various ways to give you a unique design.
Pavers are low maintenance and only require that you remove the occasional weed that sprouts between blocks and cleaning the surface with soap and water using a strong broom.
Because block paving is made from natural stone materials they can withstand heavy loads and last very long if they are made to the highest British and European Standards.
Block pavers come in a wide range of textures, styles, and colours, which when combined can create the simple herringbone design or more intricate designs. A well-managed block paving adds resale value to your property.
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