Advantages and Disadvantages of Block Paving – Advantages
- There is a wide range of styles, types, colours and sizes of block pavers hence there are also many design possibilities.
- Block paving is considered to be more attractive than basic, plain tarmacadam surfaces for driveways.
- Block paving can be relatively inexpensive if you choose the basic rectangular blocks. One major block paving manufacturer estimates the costs as being split 20% blocks, 80% labour, hard core and sand. Basic blocks can be purchased from £8 or £10 per square metre up to over £20 per metre, so overall costs should be between £50 and £100 per metre. However, complex patterns and additional items such as edging, steps and drainage can be added to these figures.
- Individual blocks can be lifted and replaced if they are damaged, or stained with oil, diesel or petrol spillages.
- Because paving blocks are manufactured rather than cut from natural stone, block sizes tend to be very accurate and uniform.
- No specialist machinery is required (as there is with tarmacadam surfaces) hence small areas should not be proportionately more expensive per square metre, as when there are high set-up costs.
- Concrete block paving is cost effective when compared to clay pavers or natural stone blocks such as granite setts.
- There is a wide choice in the depths of concrete block pavers from 50 mm to over 100 mm. This can make block paving suitable for both domestic and commercial applications.