Block paving on front

[Nik2879]

Hoping to get our front redone this summer have really old fashioned flag stones at the moment so cant wait to have it done. Wondering if anyone has had theres done recently? We know we want grey block paving but there seems to be a few types. We drive a car over it to get to the garage so need to make sure its not gonna move etc. Anyone got any tips or anything from having theres done? We dont have much spare money and every time we get a job done we end up being giving the wrong advice from people who are meant to know what their taking about so keen to not make that mistake again.

My advice would be, don’t get block paving because you’ll be breaking your back weeding it in years to come <bitter experience>

I agree. We are planning to lay some rubber step circles from B and Q. These we will lay on sand and concrete.

what do you mean by you want block paving . Do you mean younwamt council slabs, like this? If so council is the cheapest option but the least attractive , or do you mean something else?

Sorry like this

have really old fashioned flag stones at the moment so cant wait to have it done.

Is there anything wrong with the flag stones? If you're replacing because they're old fashioned then I wouldn't bother. Block paving is a huge expense, and it seems like a waste of money when the current option is perfectly usable.

I’d say flagstones were much nicer than block paving, but maybe I’m imagining the wrong thing.

we have a large drive in block paving, it was here when we moved in. I think it’s from 70’s when the house was built. Looks lovely but we do have to weed/spray with weed killer and mosskiller 2-3 times a year. When you power wash it have to be careful not to wash off the sand between the blocks. Ours needs resanded, I think we will hire somebody to fix it in couple years. Lots of upkeep but if it’s not too big and in a dry spot I think it should be ok. Ours is huge and near the stream/big trees :(

I love my block paved driveway. I had admired a nearby drive for a while and when I walked past once I managed to catch the owners and ask who did it. It was a Marshall’s approved layer, much pricier than other quotes but still looks perfect after a couple of years and no weeds yet. A neighbour had theirs done in the summer by someone else and you can tell the difference. To keep costs down you can part tarmac maybe? Definitely ask for local recommendations and go and have a look at them!

This is so true, it’s a complete pain. My neighbours have a central tarmacked area with a block paved border. This looks really good and they are not weeding and cleaning it ever year.

I’m not sure too, I am thinking the op is using the wrong words maybe,

flag stones of course would be much nicer than council slabs, and much more expansive . But I’m not sure she’s got actual flagstones.

op can you post pics of what you’ve got now and what you want?

I can’t see an image.

Sorry posted that without a photo. Thinking something like this. Oh no I hadnt thought about the weeds coming threw I would want it to stay neat and tidy as well so wouldnt be able to leave it.

This website www.pavingexpert.com/ has a wealth of information on all types of paving. For costs have a look at this website for ball park figures www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/block-paving-cost/

Block paving gets weeds growing between the blocks so you do need to maintain it. Depending on how long the current drive has been down and the condition of the substrate underneath depends on the overall cost. They may need to dig out and lay a new foundation layer or you may be lucky and they can remove the current paving and put block paving down with minimal ground works.

Weeds wise you can just apply weedkiller all over as a preventative treatment rather than waiting for them to take hold and be troublesome.

Sometimes local companies will have a cost calculator on their website as depending on where you are affects the cost of materials. Have a look and see if any do.

My mum and dad have block paving and it looks great, pretty sure he keeps the weeds at bay as he's like that.

Thanks everyone. Yeh suppose if you put something down regular it might stop the weeds. It seems the best option as with big flagstones theres more chance it could move over time with a car being driven over it. Ive heard the block paving is stronger and less likely to move.

That looks lovely , but yes weeds will grow in the joints, seeds blow in the wind, birds spread them etc, so you will need to maintain. The less joints you habe the less space for them to grow.

This

And if you don't have much money block paving is pretty much the most expensive option

My friend spent £10k block paving her front drive

Cost me £1500 for tarmac with block edging

Shuddering at all the talk about weed killers even if I've used them a couple of times to get rid of some really persistent neophytes.

If you want sturdy, affordable and easy to maintain, why not go for some kind of cellular grass paving? Good at load bearing but won't seal up nearly as much ground, less heating up in summer and once sowed properly, basically maintains itself.

If you like the look of block paving, why not look into imprinted concrete? One of our neighbours have this and it looks great. No faffing with weeding and sanding but looks just like it.

only issue is it does get slipping in the cold weather.

Yes the sand works for a while to stop weeds, yes you can use weed killer preventatively but it never 100% works. (and chemicals!) You will find yourself on your hands and knees eventually, or with a special tool that will leave you with blisters even with gloves on. Did I mention my bitter experience? Don't do it OP. I would never ever have it again. In fact just thinking about it now makes me glad I moved.

Have your slabs moved? Is that why you are worried about it?

If I were you I'd go to a good builders merchant with a decent landscaping display and ask their opinion and then get a quote. No doubt they will know local contractors they can recommend.

The whole front is a mess. The slabs are very old fashioned red and yellow colours they where there when we moved in probably been down about 20 years it’s terrible.

"It seems the best option as with big flagstones theres more chance it could move over time with a car being driven over it. Ive heard the block paving is stronger and less likely to move."
The type is surface is irrelevant.

It's how much care has gone into the "foundations".