Types of Block Paving

There are many manufacturers of different types of block paving products in the UK but the companies referred to above are among the best known and most respected.

They have been used extensively by block paving installation companies which we have worked with.

Their individual types of block paving obviously differ, but across the industry the following styles (these by Plaspave™, a division of Plasmor™) are available in different variations from most of the manufacturers: –

Some of the types of block paving shown above lend themselves to the formation of circular patterns.

To achieve the best results we would recommend those with different sizes of blocks within a particular range.

These are more attractive as you are less likely to have sand-filled gaps opening up on the outside of each row of curved blocks.

Some of the above companies also manufacture and supply a range of edge restraints for both straight and curved applications together with channel blocks designed to help direct surface water away to drainage systems.

They also manufacture a range of permeable block paving solutions in response to the Government’s requirement for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, or SUDS.

This resulted in the introduction of the need for planning permission for new non-permeable driveways which do not incorporate systems to retain the surface water within the curtilage or boundary of the property. See the section on planning permission for driveways.

Finally, the types of block paving products available on the market is so wide and their cost is so relatively reasonable that there is no reason to seek out blocks manufactured by back-street companies which do not have stringent controls over their manufacturing procedures.

All concrete types of block paving should comply with BS 6717-1:1993, as superseded by BS EN 1338:2003 which deals with the quality, durability and consistent sizing of blocks.