Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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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cupcake
member
Reged: 15/02/2008
Posts: 6088
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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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Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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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cupcake
member
Reged: 15/02/2008
Posts: 6088
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Possibly not Ann!!!!
Maybe you need to get into flatties....  
Ah well, just a thought!
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Biker_Babe
member
Reged: 13/10/2008
Posts: 1509
Loc: Scotland
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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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ShelBee
member
Reged: 07/04/2008
Posts: 763
Loc: Bangor, N. I.
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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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Take time to smell the roses.
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Loo
member
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 2365
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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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...as in Looby Loo
This is me, with Andy Pandy and Teddy.
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Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1322
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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
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 8011
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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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I've learnt that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou.
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Loo
member
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 2365
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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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...as in Looby Loo
This is me, with Andy Pandy and Teddy.
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Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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
member
Reged: 18/08/2008
Posts: 6826
Loc: Leicestershire
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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
member
Reged: 19/10/2008
Posts: 2408
Loc: Kent
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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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Biker_Babe
member
Reged: 13/10/2008
Posts: 1509
Loc: Scotland
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A wee drop sodium chlorate works wonders every time with the weeds.
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Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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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ladylou
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 232
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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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Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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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ShelBee
member
Reged: 07/04/2008
Posts: 763
Loc: Bangor, N. I.
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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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Take time to smell the roses.
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Glitterqueen
member
Reged: 11/01/2008
Posts: 3205
Loc: Essex
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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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Shoelover
member
Reged: 28/02/2008
Posts: 766
Loc: Essex
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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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Ann1212
member
Reged: 20/03/2008
Posts: 133
Loc: Staffordshire
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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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