Block paving

Block paving is still the driveway that lasts longest and looks best, provided it is laid on something. Most of the failures you see were laid on sand over soil.

We excavate to 250 mm, lay a geotextile membrane to stop the stone sinking into the clay, and build a 150 mm sub-base of crushed limestone in two compacted layers. Concrete edge restraints are haunched in on every open side so the blocks cannot creep. Then 40 mm of sharp sand screeded to the falls, and the blocks laid in a 90-degree herringbone, which locks under the twisting load of a turning car in a way stretcher bond does not. Kiln-dried sand is vibrated into the joints and the whole surface compacted with a rubber-matted plate.

Blocks come in charcoal, silver, buff, brindle and mixed, in 50 mm for cars and 60 mm or 80 mm where a van or motorhome parks. A contrasting border, a soldier course at the house, and a circle or a fan in a patio are all standard. Clay blocks cost more and keep their colour for a century. Permeable block paving drains through the joints and needs no soakaway; we lay it where the ground allows.

What is included

• Excavation to 250 mm, membrane, 150 mm compacted sub-base
• Haunched concrete edge restraints
• 90-degree herringbone with a soldier course and border
• 50, 60 or 80 mm blocks to suit the load
• Linear channel or soakaway, sized for the area
• Kiln-dried sand, plate-compacted; ten-year guarantee

What it costs

From £95 per square metre including excavation, sub-base, edging, drainage, blocks, kiln-dried sand and waste removal. A typical 50 square metre driveway is £4,800 to £6,500. Clay blocks and permeable paving quoted. All prices include excavation, sub-base, edging, drainage, waste removal and VAT. See the full price list.