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Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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My OH and I have been debating furiously the pros and cons between Block Paving or Concrete Imprint for our driveway. We have to decide now so I would appreciate your views or experiences. Thanks
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Don't like either. We have shingle...just rake it now and again and it looks as good as new...and you can hear everyone approaching....
I love the crunch as you walk over it...so homely!
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Thanks cupcake -I'm not very keen on either option which is why there has been much 'debating' at home. Not sure shingle would be any good for my stilletos though!!
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Possibly not Ann!!!!
Maybe you need to get into flatties....  
Ah well, just a thought!
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Block paving comes in many colours and if laid properley is really good, especially if your car doesnt leak oil!
One thing though, if your driveway is on a slope and is sheltered, if it snows it is a pure bugger to drive up and the snow packs down.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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My neighbour has a concrete imprinted driveway and I really like it. We have block paving which is equally nice although we do suffer from weeds in between.
I had our driveway cleaned and sealed recently and it came up like new.
Try decide based on the appearance you prefer and the cost.
ShelBee
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Loo
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(member)
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17/06/2009 22:33
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Printed concrete always has a shiney look as though it has just poored with rain, which I find a bit depressing.
Loo
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Thanks for your comments. Quotes so far are showing both options to cost about the same. I do like the 'no weeds' associated with the concrete option but not sure about how it lasts.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Hi Ann
You might not fancy this at all, but..
We have tarmac but edged with really nice large square-cut cobbles - completely changes the look of the tarmac. I like drives to be quite simple rather than patterned and this works well for us.
Mags
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Foxie
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(member)
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18/06/2009 08:17
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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I like 'proper' bricks. Our drive is done with brick paviers which have been down for 23 years now. Mr F. jets sprays them every year and they come up like new.
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Loo
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(member)
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18/06/2009 09:30
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Our neighbours have just had their creteprint drive re-sealed after being laid for several years. And it looks like new. (Still looks wet though).
Loo
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Thanks for comments. I did have a preference for brick edging and tarmac as you describe Mags but OH said definitely no tarmac so the compromise is the two remaining options. I agree Loo is does look shiny which I think looks wrong would much prefer to look like brick/stone. One company says the shine fades a bit within a couple of weeks but all the examples I see around look quite shiny -however looking around at blockpaved -very few people seem to keep them weedfree and as we are both very busy I suspect we will be in this category.
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kate1
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(member)
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18/06/2009 13:10
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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We have stones, and that's the opton I'd go for every time.If a sheet is put down underneath, the weeds don't get through.
All the block paving I've seen has lots of weeds through after a time.
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Vinca
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(member)
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18/06/2009 16:59
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Just shoving my oar in here...
Environmentally blocks are better as they let rain through. Anything solid like tarmac or poured concrete doesn't, the rain pours off and into the drains and away.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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A wee drop sodium chlorate works wonders every time with the weeds.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Thanks Vinca you are right about the drainage but there are new regulations and we have to have soil borders or soak aways apparently. Useful tip Biker Babe
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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We currently have the pattern concrete which has been laid for about ten months. Cost an awful lot of money and I was not happy with the workmanship. They had to come back and reseal it two weeks ago and I'm still refusing to pay the full price until I am happy with it. On the plus side it is very easy to maintain. We had block paving laid at another property we own about 15 years ago. Yes the weeds can be a problem but I used to pull a few up each time I parked the car so it wasn't too bad. On balance I would stick with the blocks every time.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Thanks ladylou vey useful to hear from someone who has experienced both -we are still getting quotes and insisting on references but hope to decide by next week.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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I think the brick paviers might have "the edge" - ahem.
But thought that Scottishmags idea was excellent. I do not like the fussy pattern they create and her idea is a good compromise.
ShelBee
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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My friend had concrete imprint and it cracked really badly, lending up looking dreadful. Eventually they took they whole lot up and replaced with block paving.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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I think block paving looks better. the best thing with the weeds is to water in a good dose of Pathclear in Jan/Feb time which stops the weeds from growing at the beginning of the season, and then another dose later in the summer if needed. Takes about a week to work on established weeds then they all turn brown and disappear, but its terrific stuff.
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Re: Block Paving or Concrete Imprint
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Thanks to everyone for your advice and tips. We are getting a couple of extra quotes this week -so hopefully will make a decision by next weekend!
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