Top 8 Popular Paving Slab Options For You in Kent

 

Paving slabs in Kent come in various materials like concrete, brick, marble, slate, porcelain, etc. You name almost any natural stone of your choice or the latest technology-made artificial, hard material, and you get a paving slab variety that is made of it. Below mentioned are a few of the most popular paving options available in Kent and the surrounding areas.

• Limestone

Pretty similar to sandstone, this slab comes in more consistent colours. The fine texture gives a soft-looking finish. Professionals love using limestone slabs as they are easy to cut.

• Granite

Non-porous granite does not allow water to seep through. The surface does not retain dirt, making it easy to clean. The best thing is you can choose from myriad colours, ranging from dark black to pink.

• Slate

Slate is perfect for paving if you want a subtle and beautiful finish. The texture withstands weather for a long time and thus retains its look without any damage.

• Porcelain

Another super easy-to-clean material for paving slabs, porcelain is strong and long-lasting. As it is non-porous, you need not worry about damage from water absorption.  

• Black paving slabs

If you are an ardent black lover, black paving slabs are the ultimate beautiful choice you can make for your driveway. These are just the black variety of limestone and give a simple and eye-catching touch to the complete setup. 

• Indian sandstone

With densely packed silicon molecules, this comes in various colours and designs, making it a timeless choice for paving slabs. Cleaning is also relatively easy.

• Concrete

A mixture of sand, pigments, dyes and cement at an appropriate ratio prepares concrete. These slabs become one of the most durables when pressed into paver moulds. You can use dyes and pigments of your choice to give the driveway a unique look.

• Cobblestone

Cobblestone slabs are your answer if you want something that will last a lifetime. These can be granite, basalt, sandstone or limestone. Durability and visual beauty are its advantages. However, it is a time-consuming task to lay cobblestone paving slabs.

The style of your house, your budget, and the weather you live in are a few factors you should consider before choosing the paving slabs. At Base Driveway, we have numerous options and designs for you. Our experts will help you make the right choice and make your driveway stand apart with paving slabs in Kent. 

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Elevate the Outlook of Your Property with Stylish Paving Driveways in Sittingbourne

 

Driveways are just as important as the interior and exterior of your home. Given that their function is only getting your car off the street, spending money on them might seem irrational to some people. But if you combine practicality with good looks, driveways have the potential to add character to your house. This article will discuss various designs of paving driveways in Sittingbourne that will be practical and beautiful for your property.

Traditional Driveway: Brick pavers bring a more traditional, romantic, and charming outlook. They are more stain-resistant than concrete and less slippery. They can handle more weight than brick pavers.

Country-club Style Driveway:  These permeable pavers have drivable surfaces and contain stormwater drainage. If you love country club style combined with classy green gardens, you can opt for this type of driveway. It's apt for you if you host a lot. If your area gets waterlogged, think about putting them there.

Shell Driveway: This driveway was used in early American colonies to recycle discarded shellfish. As you drive over them, the shells break into tinier pieces and become a smooth walking surface. They are also great for drainage.

Grass-jointed Pavers: The geometrical design brings out a unique look, with those awnings softening the front of the house. With grass-jointed pavers, there's a seamless transition from driveways to walkways. Due to the thickness of the block pavers, they are preferable for areas with heavy car traffic.

Mixed Stone Tiles: These multicolored tiles add a charming look to your classic home. Mixed stone styles are more natural looking than concrete and a little less difficult to manage than gravel. The cobblestones are more durable than brick and concrete pavers.

Limestone Pavers: If your driveway hits directly to a sidewall, you can opt for limestone pavers. They offer a seamless transition between the two that still sets your home apart. The materials give your house a sense of modernity. They are beautiful and get better with age.

Casual Style Driveway: This driveway is made of loose materials like gravel and paving stones. They are not just a cost-effective option but also add a charming rustic sensibility to your house. With a regular sweep, the surface is pretty much of minimum maintenance.

Driveways can be traditional, contemporary, chic, or casual. Everything depends on your location and preferences. Contact us to learn more about different types of paving driveways in Sittingbourne.

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Beautify Your Outdoor Area with Patios Kent

A patio is a seating area outside your home or a restaurant. It’s a recreational space where you can relax all by yourself. Besides being a functional space, it adds aesthetic value to your property. 

Materials for the Patio

A patio is paved with concrete or stone slabs. It can be created using bricks, tiles, block paving, gravel, or cobbles. A beautiful new patio elevates the appearance of your place. If you have a garden, a patio brings a unique feel to it so that you can enjoy the place even more. A well-built and beautifully decorated patio also adds a significant amount of monetary value to your house.

Types of Patio

Patio options can be three types: concrete. Stamped concrete and aggregate concrete. Stamped concrete pieces are slippery and expensive. They will require a lot of maintenance. This is the reason we use aggregate concrete. It’s budget-friendly and is made of exposed stones that bring out a novelty. Our use of aggregate concrete is one of the reasons consumers prefer our patio work.

Our Team

At our company, we offer multiple types of patio designs to you. Now, for someone who never had a patio in his life, choosing a suitable design can be a bit overwhelming. To put all of your worries to rest, our team will be with you at every step of this endeavour. 

Now every person doesn’t have the same requirements and the same surroundings. This is where our team is needed; they will analyse your site and will guide you precisely on what sort of patio you require. They will help you choose from block paving, concrete pavers, or any material of your choice. They will also make sure that you get the maximum benefit of a budget that suits your pocket.

Our company has been dealing with various types of patio in Kent for 25 years now. We offer one of the best and most attractive patio designs all over the country. Our vast range of materials includes gravel, sandstone, flagstone, reconstituted stones, block paving, concrete slabs, etc.

We take care of your patio creation and rebuild, knowing that it’s in the hands of experts. All our patio work is guaranteed for two years.

We are one of the few contractors approved by Kent Highways and the Council of Medway. We can take up work that others can’t, and we also perform our utmost to maintain the standard of our work.

If you are from Kent or South London, you can contact us today for any patio work. We will give you a FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE.

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Decoding Common Myths About Concrete

Concrete is one of the most popularly used materials for driveway paving in Kent. They are cost-effective, exceptionally durable, and need minimal to no maintenance once installed. However, while it plays a crucial role in almost every kind of construction work, there are several myths surrounding concrete that are still believed by many.

Here, we take a look at the common concrete myths and see if they hold any value in real life.

Common Concrete Myths

1. Concrete is always grey

While concrete starts as grey, the finished product is highly customisable and available in a wide range of colour options. Mineral colours can be added when the concrete is wet to achieve the desired colour when it sets and hardens.

2. You can use acid to strip sealants

Acids are severely detrimental to concrete and concrete sealants and will hamper the durability of the cement. You should never use acid to remove any kind of sealant from any surface. Instead, you can either use a sealant stripper or get in touch with a professional driveways contractor for better solutions.

3. Compressive strength equals durability

Concrete is available in multiple compressive strengths which range from 2500 psi to 10000 psi. While you may think that the highest compressive strength is the one that is the most durable, it is unfortunately not true. The durability of concrete depends on several factors, including freeze-thaw cycles, weather fluctuations, etc. The best way to improve the durability of concrete is by reducing its permeability, not higher compressive strength.

4. Concrete is impermeable

To emphasise the earlier point, even the densest concrete is permeable. So, water and similar elements in liquid and gaseous forms can penetrate concrete over time. When installed incorrectly, concrete is prone to cracking from multiple freeze-thaw cycles, thereby reducing its shelf life.

5. You can lay concrete any time of the year

Concrete is one of the most durable construction materials out there. However, it needs proper temperature to dry and harden. If you pour the material when the temperature is extremely high or below the freezing point, the concrete will not harden properly. As a result, the final product will not be as durable as expected and will get damaged quickly.

If you have any more queries surrounding concrete and its uses, get in touch with the experts at a driveway paving contractor in Kent. The professionals there will be able to help you out!

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Key benefits of resin-bound driveways

 

While several types of hard surfacing systems are available in the market, not all of them are suitable for every kind of property. Resin driveways in Kent are becoming extremely popular among homeowners as it provides a unique range of benefits over other materials. In the following post, we take a look at some of the key benefits of resin-bound driveways.

Benefits of resin-bound driveways

●       Weather resistance

When selecting a driveway paving material, you need to pay attention to the durability of the surfaces, especially if you reside in an area that receives adverse weather conditions. Compared to other pavement materials like concrete and asphalt, resin-bound driveways can easily withstand adverse weather conditions and maintain their structural integrity and smooth finish.

●       Permeable surface

Resin-bound surfaces are typically permeable, meaning they allow water to drain through the sub-base surface. As long as the sub-base is also permeable, resin driveways are SUDS compliant and can prevent a wide range of issues like water pollution and flooding.

●       Easy to maintain

A resin-bound driveway is relatively easier to clean and maintain. The resin binds with the original surface and provides a clean and bright surface that effectively resists skids and spills. If maintained correctly, resin-bound surfaces are resistant to weeds as well. While a simple water wash should be enough to clean the surface, you can also contact professionals for more cleaning and maintenance tips.

●       Wide range of design options available

Block pavers and slabs are relatively limiting design-wise, while clay blocks are only available in natural colours. Compared to slabs and blocks, resin-bound driveways are more flexible and can be adapted for a wide range of design options. You can easily mix and match colours and blends to create a unique look that adds to the curb appeal of your house. Moreover, the experts will also use a combination of smaller and bigger aggregates to increase the strength of the pavement as well.

●       Smooth and flat surface

Unlike loose gravel, resin-bound surfaces are flat, smooth, and seamless. Professional contractors will follow a unique installation pattern where the resin is mixed and trowelled to achieve a seamless surface finish. The finished product is comfortable to walk on and can easily withstand the weight of vehicles.

If you want to know more about resin driveways in Kent or anywhere else, get in touch with the experts at Base Driveways. Our professionals will thoroughly assess your requirements and provide a thorough deliberation on the best solution for your property.

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Know the Benefits of Having a Resin Bonded Driveway

In the last few years, it has been noticed that there has been a surge amongst homeowners to go for resin bonded driveways. Even though resin bonded driveways are comparatively new to other types of driveways, it is becoming popular for good reasons. In the hands of a novice, a resin bonded driveway might be completely ruined. However, an expert from a reputed company can install it in the right way that will show you the advantages of having a resin bonded driveway right outside your house.

Resin bonded paving describes the type of driveway that has scattered aggregates on a resin base. This paving has a stunning visual appeal and looks as if the driveway has several scattered small pebbles and stones on the surface. Resin bonded driveways in Kent can be made using waterproof materials, but do require effective drainage so that water puddles are not formed.

Besides the breathtaking finish, a resin bonded driveway is also easy to install. The following are some of the other benefits:

Visually stunning - Who does not like guests appreciating parts of your house? Having a beautiful driveway will not only make heads turn but also serves the purpose of a good relaxing spot. A resin bonded driveway gives the illusion of being scattered with small pebbles and thus gives a unique look to your house. Also, there are several colours to choose from as per your taste. A resin bonded driveway will surely make your house stand apart from your neighbours.

Cost-effective - Driveways are a long-term investment. Therefore, you need to get a kind of material that will stand the test of time and not make you spend more money right after a couple of years. A resin bonded driveway requires zero to negligible maintenance and holds its shape for many years. The longevity factor is why homeowners prefer resin bonded driveways over other types even though the installation charges might be a little on the higher side.

Easily maintained - Resin bonded driveways in Kent do not require constant care. It is also resistant to weeds and remains clean for most parts. With a proper drainage system, these driveways do not wither for many years and remain almost as good as new. High-quality resins are resistant to oil spills and petrol as well.

If you want a driveway that will stand out amidst the crowd, definitely go for a resin bonded one.

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Guide to understanding driveway options for your home

When people approach your home, the driveway is the first thing they see. Therefore, it is one of the most vital aspects of your property. A driveway can say a lot about your personality, and it can even transform the exterior of your home. When it comes to driveways in Kent, Base Driveways can help you with a few options. You can count on us to assist you in making the right choice for your property and lifestyle. 

We have listed below some of the popular driveway options you can consider for your home. 

Gravel driveways

Gravel is a traditional driveway surface solution, and in recent years, it has become a popular material. You can opt for gravel driveways if you want a simplistic visual appeal. However, note that they do not always appear neat and tidy or refined.

Gravel driveways are a cost-friendly option, and they come in diverse styles. You can get several colour options, and we can tailor the type of gravel according to the requirements of your property. Furthermore, it does not take long to finish installing gravel driveways. 

There is one drawback to installing gravel driveways. You need to invest time and effort into maintaining the driveway because moss and weeds might penetrate the gravel. 

Resin bonded driveways

Resin driveways have emerged as a popular choice for commercial and domestic properties. This option is primarily preferred because of its hard-wearing nature and aesthetically pleasing finish. The decorative nature of resin bonded driveways can quickly accentuate the external beauty of your property. It can enhance curb appeal and become the envy of your neighbours. 

Furthermore, there is an array of colours available if you choose resin driveways. Our team can help you quickly install a resin bonded driveway for your home. 

Block paving driveways 

Block paving driveways are highly popular because there are many styles, designs, and colours available. You can even create varied shapes with block paving. This driveway option enables homeowners to be as unique and different as possible. Unlike gravel, block paving driveways do not require much maintenance, and you can wash it down from time to time to remove stains. 

So, these are some popular options for driveways in Kent. If you need help making a choice or want to install a driveway, connect with Base Driveways. Our team will walk you through the installation process.

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What Are The Upsides Of Resin Bound Driveways?

 

Are you planning to install a new driveway? If so, you are bound to be spoilt for choice. At Base Driveways, we offer obligation-free consultation to help our customers decide on the kind of surface they want. Presently, there’s one choice for a surface that has gained a lot of popularity, and that is resin bound driveways. From houses with a single-vehicle driveway to huge mansions with winding drives, resin bonded driveways in Kent are the top choice for different kinds of properties. There are plenty of reasons for this, and some of the upsides of this surface choice are explained below.

 

 

Weather-resistant 

When deciding on a paving type for your driveway, the most important factor to consider is durability. Even though there are no adverse weather conditions in the UK, you can see the damage excess heat or a little rain causes to asphalt and concrete driveways. Fortunately, resin bound driveways are capable of resisting extreme weather conditions whilst maintaining structural integrity. 

Resin bound driveways are highly resistant to weather, thanks to the resin made of high-quality polyurethane. The resin does not deteriorate, regardless of the weather.

Permeable

The porous nature of resin bound driveways sets them apart from other driveway options. It means you do not require any supplementary drainage, and during the rainy season, your driveway will not form a puddle. 

As resin bonded driveways in Kent are permeable, the surface runoff seeps into the ground, and you do not have to worry about water stagnation. The drainage is quite effective and efficient.

 

 

Aesthetically pleasing 

If you select the right paving surface, you can turn your driveway into an exterior highlight. It can complement the roof and walls of your house or the hedges and trees. After all, the driveway is what visitors will see as they enter your property. So, you need to think of ways to make a lasting impression with a visually appealing driveway. This is where the resin bound driveways stand out from the rest, thanks to their almost silky and smooth finish. There are no loose stones, and it will help your driveway appear appealing to the neighbours. There are even varied colours to choose from, and you can select one that complements your home. 

If you still have any questions regarding resin bound driveways or wish to install one on your property, do not hesitate to contact Base Driveways.

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