Driveway Paving options : Slabs, block paving, designs and patterns

Driveway paving options include the following:

• Driveway Slabs - usually pressed concrete for extra strength.  
• Block Paving - driveways in this are very popular.  
• Natural Stone Paving - expensive but beautiful and hard wearing.  
• Asphalt or Tarmac - a popular choice for large driveways. 
• Concrete - plain concrete is a thing of the past but pattern imprinted concrete is popular. 

Driveway slabs are typically the type of pressed concrete paving that is seen on pavements (sidewalks). They come in 3 sizes: 2ft x 2ft, 2ft 6inches x 2ft, and 3ft x 2ft. They can be mixed up but the most common way of laying these driveway slabs is rows of either of the larger sizes. The small ones can be used instead of cuts along the edges.  A scatter of pink or red slabs is common. These driveway slabs are pressed which makes them strong enough. They make a cheap and surable driveway paving surface. Driveway slabs are laid on a semi dry concrete mix, with grouted joints.

Block paving driveways look better than slabs because they are small bricks. The most popular type of block paving are 300mm x 100mm blocks laid in a herringbone pattern. Block paving driveways are often laid in a brindle colour (mix of red and charcoal), with grey and red block borders. There are also cobble style blocks like Marshalls Tegula which are laid in rows in 3 sizes, these suit older properties. Block paving is laid on a thin bed of sand with kiln dried sand in the joints. They are laid very close together and compacted using a compactor plate.

Natural stone paving on a driveway is a very attractive option. It can also be cost effective if cheap imported stone slabs are used like Indian sandstone paving. Reclaimed natural stone paving like Yorkstone can be smooth and therefore slippery when wet. There are many different types of natural stone paving like sandstone, limestone and granite. Small setts can be laid around the edges for a nice effect. These are laid on mortar beds of wet concrete and the joints are pointed or grouted.

Asphalt or tarmac is usually laid in black. On driveways small stones are used to make up the mixture which gives a smoother finish. Dark red is occasionally used and looks great with a charcoal block border. Asphalt can be costly on smaller areas but makes a very reasonably priced large driveway paving option. To break it up block borders and circle kits can be added, or perhaps some decorative slabs near the front door. A thin wearing course of asphalt is laid over a thicker wearing course. 

Concrete driveways in basic grey standard mixes are becomming rare now as they don't look very impressive. Pattern imprinted concrete is an option worth considering. It is a superior concrete mix with added fibres to give it a smooth finnish. Once the concrete is laid, dye is added and large stensils make the pattern. There are many colours and designs available with a glossy or mat finish. If done well, pattern imprinted concrete is almost maintenance free, it will need re-colouring after approx. 10 years.

Gravel is another option which is basically small stones loosly laid over a membrane. It is very cheap but isn't a solid surface. In recent years resin bond has started to gain popularity which is usually a buff colour of semi loose stones, it is an attractive alternative to tarmac and gravel. Decorative patio paving is rare on a drive, but can be laid by a good paving contractor. These patio slabs will require an excellent concrete foundation to support the weight of cars.

Paving Patterns

Usually paving slabs are laid in rows with staggered joints. These look better and are stronger than laying slabs corner to corner. The surface can be broken up by replacing slabs with different coloured ones or even blocks. A block border or block feature like a circle is a nice look.

Block paving pattern are usually herringbone or at 90 degrees to the house. Cobble type block paving driveway can be laid in rows or in a random looking design with 3-5 sizes. Driveway curbing along flower beds is a good idea for looks and to hold back soil.

Pattern imprinted concrete patterns are varied to imitate block paving or natural stone slabs. Paving contractors will be able to advise on cost effective ways to improve your driveway patterns. Read Patio Design Ideas for information about patio paving.