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There are many benefits to paving your County Durham garden, driveway or pathway with a suitable material. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of paving materials there are other benefits such as weed control and moisture protection which can save you time and money in the long term. However, it is also important that you consider how much work is required for laying a path before deciding on a particular type of paving material. For example some types of stone may need extra preparation such as cutting back weeds and removing stones from the ground while others do not require this additional effort. This blog post will guide you through all aspects of choosing an appropriate pavement for your property including what might be right for different circumstances as well as common types used today!
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Block paving driveways are the most commonly used type of driveway around County Durham. They are extremely hardwearing, which means they can last for years without needing replacement
They consist of square pieces of block stone (or concrete) laid in an interlocking pattern across the floor of the driveway. When block paving is installed properly there is no need for mortar or adhesive to keep it in place. This makes block paving ideal for use on slopes and hilly areas where it can be difficult to make sure everything stays in place during construction.
Block paved driveways are also relatively simple to maintain; they require sweeping or hosing down once a week or so depending on levels of traffic, and this will usually remove any dirt that has become stuck to theblock paving.
Although block paving is relatively simple to install and maintain, it can be rather time-consuming and labour intensive. It is very important that the block paving stones are laid in a stable pattern; if they are not then there is a risk that water could become trapped between the block paving stones and cause damage such as freeze/thaw, something block paving is not designed to withstand.
Block paving should be laid in spring or summertime when temperatures in County Durham are warm enough for block paving adhesive, if that is being used, to set efficiently. If block paving is installed in winter then there is a risk that the block paving adhesive could fail and water may become trapped between the stones leading to freeze/thaw damage.
A concrete imprint driveway is quite different to block paving. It gives the impression of block paving but it actually consists of a thin layer of concrete with impressions which look like block paving stones that have been pressed into the surface leaving an indentation. This means that County Durham residents can create the impression of block paving but using a much thinner layer of concrete, which makes it ideal for use on sloping areas where block paving would not be suitable.
Concrete imprint driveways in County Durham can be made to look exactly like block paving, however the surface is much smoother and lighter in colour because there are no gaps between each block. This means that they do not need to be swept or hosed down like block paving would, which does make them slightly more time-consuming and labour intensive to maintain.
Concrete imprint driveways can also be used on sloping ground; block paving cannot be used on slopes because the block paving stones will cause water to pool and become trapped and freeze/thaw as temperatures drop and rise. However, as the impression is pressed into the concrete rather than cut into it like block paving, water cannot become trapped between the pieces of block paving and so will run off down slope, which makes it ideal for use on sloping areas where block paving would not be suitable.
Concrete imprint driveways for properties in County Durham can also be laid in winter as block paving cannot, which is handy if you need your driveway laid quickly and block paving would take too long to set.
Resin driveways are not as common in County Durham as block paving or concrete imprint driveways; they are more commonly used on commercial applications such as car parks and roads rather than residential drives
Resin driveways give the impression of block paving but it actually consists of a thin layer of resin with impressions which look like block paving stones that have been pressed into the surface leaving an indentation. This means that you can create the impression of block paving without using block paving stones, making it ideal where block pavements would be unsuitable. Resin driveways are best used on solid surfaces where block paving would not be suitable such as concrete, tarmac or asphalt.
Resin driveways can be made to look exactly like block paving, however the surface is much smoother and lighter in colour because there are no gaps between each block. This means that they do not need to be swept or hosed down like block paving does, which makes it slightly more time-consuming and labour intensive to maintain than block paving. Resin driveways are also generally used on flat ground so sloping areas are not usually resurfaced with resin driveways.
Resin is a modern alternative to traditional methods of driveway surfacing in County Durham. As well as being relatively cheap, resilient and easy to maintain resin driveways have a number of other aesthetic advantages over more traditional asphalt-based or concrete options.
Resin bound driveways can be built up in layers with aggregate such as sand and cinders, which results in a textured appearance that will reduce the risk of slips and falls during County Durham's wet weather. Unlike asphalt or concrete resin doesn't require any expansion joints, reducing the chance of potholes appearing and creating a finish that's smoother and safer for pedestrians and vehicles alike.
Combining resins with aggregate also means that there is no requirement for cold weather protection, meaning an increased opportunity to install throughout the year, including in winter in County Durham.
While resin driveways are more expensive than traditional asphalt-based or concrete alternatives, their ease of maintenance and the fact that there are no restrictions on when they can be installed. Resin bound driveways can be easier to maintain than asphalt-based ones too - with less possibility of cracks appearing that require re-surfacing or repairs.
Resin driveways don't shrink (like asphalt) which means any minor surface damage due to stones won't need repairing. With an increased lifespan, resin bound driveways may actually prove cheaper in County Durham in the long run than more traditional counterparts.
A resin driveway is not only easy to install but it also has certain features that make it easy to maintain. It's non-shrink nature, smooth surface and resistance to deterioration due to chemicals make it the ideal choice for driveways.
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