Block paving is one of the most popular choices for driveways & patios and Just a Quote allows you to compare block paving prices from several installers.
On this page and the related pages about concrete block paving, we will cover topics such as how the cost compares with tarmacadam and where you can use concrete block paving on driveways and patios.
We will also examine in detail the different types of block paving, the various popular block paving laying patterns including the use of computer software in the design and the various stages of the block paving installation process.
The white powder which sometimes appears on new block paving is referred to as efflorescence – we explain what it is and what you can do about it.
Finally, we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of block paving, when permeable block paving should be used and how to clean and seal an existing concrete block paving driveway or patio area.
Block paving, or brick paving as it is sometimes referred to, can include concrete, clay and stone blocks, each with their own with very different characteristics.
Clay bricks and stone blocks have been used throughout history, whilst the more modern interpretation, concrete block paving, really only came into fashion and popularity in the 1980’s. The number of manufacturers has grown dramatically since then and the choice of sizes, textures and colours of block paving is now enormous.
As with most home improvement products, there is not only a wide choice of products but also a large difference in quality and cost. If you find choosing a particular block paver for your driveway or patio area difficult, then the choice of company to install them can be doubly so.
A cheap and poor quality block well laid, can often provide for a better driveway or patio area than an expensive, high quality block badly installed. Where possible though, it is always better to buy quality block paving products, as often the price of the concrete block paving itself is a relatively small part of the total project, probably no more than around 20%.