Perfect Paving

There's more to laying a new driveway or path than you think with a huge range of products to choose from. We use the Stonemarket product range, which has a wide range of styles to choose from, but even before you start choosing your driveway style and material, there’s a lot you need to consider.

Things to consider when you plan your paving project:

• First of all, you need to be able to visualise what you're working with, so start by drawing out the area that you want to pave on some graph paper.
• Make sure when you're planning the project that if you're paving next to a wall, the paving will be at least 150mm below any damp course.
• To make sure that the paving drains properly, make sure that there's a gradient of at least 1:40.
• The right foundations are important: if your paving is going to be light use, and you're laying on solid, even ground, you can use 40mm sharp sand but if it's going to be in heavy use, opt for something larger.

Picking your perfect paving

When you’re choosing the paving for your driveway, the choices can be confusing. We work with Stonemarket because they cater for all needs and tastes, with product ranges that suit all installations.

Think about what you want from your paving; are you looking for a decorative effect or is wear and tear more of a pressing issue for you?

What about your existing garden? Is it a bit gloomy through lack of sunlight, or generally well-lit? If you want to brighten up a dark area of the garden, you could opt for a pale limestone to reflect the light and look elegant at the same time.

For a dramatic look, a darker sandstone, slates or granite can give you a really good effect. These paving materials actually absorb light, and work well close to foliage or flowers.

You can also change the character of a pathway with riven textures which help to create patterns of light and shade, these can add character to a larger driveway, or soften the look of a pathway in an older property. Being creative with irregular edges and paving patterns also helps to give your pathways an eye catching detail.

Stonemarket’s range of vitrified paving is great for outdoor use and comes in different colours. The range provides a reliable and low maintenance material that absorbs hardly any moisture, minimising the growth of moss and algae.

For advice on what will work for your property, come and chat to an expert at John Lessel.