LANDSCAPING & EXTERNAL WORKS


What makes a good paving surface?


If you’re thinking of upgrading an existing paving surface or simply designing a new hard landscape area, how do you know which is the right one? Alasdair McMillan from Sureset looks at the options available


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efore deciding on your paving material, it is important to take into account which base would be most suitable by considering its intended load and use after installation. It’s not so much the weight of the paving, but rather whether the selected paving can withstand its intended trafic type such as a driveway for vehicles.


Another factor is the number of joints in the surface – either day joints for very large areas or expansion joints for base materials that may be prone to move or crack, such as concrete. Tarmac bases are good examples of sturdy surfaces that don’t have many joints. With that in mind, let’s explore suitable surfaces for laying a resin drive. Some of the best surfaces for resin driveways DIY or professionally installed include concrete, tarmac, and grid systems. The different suitable surfaces available each have their own characteristics and individual base requirements.


BLOCK PAVING


Block paving has become very popular over recent years and is the main growth area in the UK. The price of the blocks has been reduced due to mass production and a stunning driveway can be created while getting value for money. Ideal for driveways, patios, and pathways, it can also be sealed to protect the surface. Block paving can be highly durable and attractive, and can also come in many different colours, textures


IMPRINTED CONCRETE Pattern imprinted concrete is very common and is one of the most popular decorative stamped concrete techniques used in the UK. It is also known as stamped and pressed concrete. It’s probably a surface that needs the least attention as it is very low maintenance.


Ideal for many areas including driveways, patios, and pathways, it allows you to have the look of stones, cobbles, brick, or slate. You do have to take into consideration however that this surface can be very slippery when wet.


TARMAC Tarmac will provide the ideal surface for most driveways. If it is going to experi- ence heavy usage, then tarmac has the properties required to endure large amounts of activity which is why it is used


74 www.sbhonline.co.uk


and styles. However, there are some downsides to block paving such as it is prone to moss and weed growth, requiring a fair amount of maintenance.


It is important to take into


account whether the selected paving can withstand its intended traffic type


on most roads. The surface can provide a at surace with suficient grip in most conditions. It is naturally dark coloured, consisting of tar and broken stone bituminous material and can be laid on almost any surface with the right preparation.


RESIN BOUND PAVING Resin bound is a single layered material that is mixed with a UV resin and applied


mar/apr 2022


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