Dos and Don’ts of Block Sealing

Have you recently paved your driveway or patio with geometric blocks? Is there a sense of accomplishment running inside you? If yes then you are still not done. A block paving driveway is incomplete without the proper sealing of the blocks and have small half life.

Advantages of sealing paved blocks
 

• A good quality sealer protects the surface of the block from staining and at the same time prevents fading of the original colour. Thus, it helps to maintain the original look for a very long time.

• Prevents the unwanted algal growth and also nullifies the chances of weed thriving.
• Increases the strength and durability of the blocks thereby extending the longevity of same.

When in doubt seek help from professional
 

It is always recommended to apply sealant under the guidance of sealant experts. This is because once sealing is done it cannot be removed, as it is a kind of permanent one. A sealing pro is the right person to tell you that how many coats you actually need. If you hail from Kent and planning for block sealing then you may find many adept companies offering block paving driveways Kent services. Hire them and get satisfactory result.

Check the quality of the sealer
 

You get what you pay. Since sealing is permanent go for a good quality sealant. Poor sealants do not last long unlike better quality versions and you will end up paying out more money in the long run. Moreover Inferior sealants are also more prone to abrasion and have a tendency to transform into yellow haze with age as a result of constant UV exposure. Do not forget to test the product texture, there are several variations like wet, glossy, choose according to your taste.

Never apply sealant to newly installed paving
 

Go by rule of thumb; never ever apply sealants to freshly laid paving. It generally takes at least 3 or 4 months for proper joining and settling down of sand and for efflorescence to disappear (if any). So give the blocks its own time and then undergo sealing.

Sealing block paving is a profitable idea as it will safe guard your paving and the investment that you have made in your property. It also ensures that your driveway or patio stays in tip-top condition up-to an extended future. However there are certain precautions that you need to take into account before jumping into sealing your pavement.

Read More

Different Varieties Available in Outdoor Paving

The driveway is one of those neglected things that homeowners rarely take into account. But when you are buried under a foot of thick snow when you want to get your car out of the garage, you consider driveway paving. But recently in many homes, driveway occupies a big area and is the first very thing that people notice while approaching your house. So, an ideal driveway should contribute to the homes appeal.

Different types of driveway paving

Concrete surface:

• Long lasting, affordable and appealing
• It can be dyed or stamped, to give it a whole more expensive look
• This is a quick procedure and can be completed with minimum work force

Brick surface:

• Long maintenance
• Aesthetically appealing
• Comes in a wide range of shades and colour. You can give any design in mind with this option

Asphalt surface:

• Comparatively easy to install
• These are generally black in colour, which traps heat and thus aids in quicker snow melting

Gravel surface:

• Completely inexpensive and look stunning after final touch
• Allows water to run off to the ground

Crushed stone surface:

• Forms much smoother surface when compared with its contemporary Gravel
• Easy maintenance and does not demand any complex procedure to maintain its look and structure

Pavers surface:

• Its special quality is it can be madeup of concrete, brick and natural stone
• This procedure does not cost you more and can be done within your limited budget

Others include:

• Basalt paver tiles having grass border in between. If maintained properly looks amazing
• Cobblestone Driveway surface coming up with many attractive colour options
• Grass drive away surface that are eco-friendly and highly sustainable
• Tar and chip driveway surface which are perfect for traction

So, what are you waiting for, just go through these different types of driveways and gift your exteriors a whole new company. Always remember a good driveway lay out is not only a symbol of aristocracy but also a symbol of safety issue. But before dropping your bundle for pavement, do take an online research and spot a potential driveway paving Kent service provider who will guide you through this entire process. You must go for only experienced professionals for this work as high perfection is required to get the ultimate look for your house’s exterior.

Read More

A Comparative Study between Resin Bound VS Resin Bonded Driveways

Driveways are equally important in for practical use and aesthetic values. It is recommended that the surface of a driveway must be smooth and safe to walk and drive on. Moreover, an attractive and durable path makes your home look attractive and it does not demand replacing before you wish to. There is a thin line of difference between the different types available. This thing may not be immediately obvious to homeowners, but is holds outmost importance.

Resin bonded and resin bound driveways sound quite similar both in speciality and pronunciation but they are not the same thing. Though both of the types are made up of same materials, but they are applied in different ways that are important for the functionality and cost.

What is resin bound driveways?
 

In this form of driveways, resin and gravel are thoroughly mixed together before being applied on the ground. When the material is laid down, it is gradually smoothed into a layer having a thickness of about 15-20mm having an appearance of gravel. Because of the vigorous smoothing process, this type of way is limited in surface texture and can be turn slippery when icy or wet. In this type of driveways water passes through the surface back into the ground which makes it ideal for the areas which are normally flood prone or have water logging tendency. These are popularly known as “trowelled surfacing” or “trowelled paving”.

What is resin bonded driveways?
 

A resin bonded gravel driveway uses the same two types of material like its bound counterpart. However, in this case instead of mixing the materials together, the resin is first applied in a thin layer on an appropriate surface, and then stone is then slowly and gradually dropped on top of it. This produces a fine thinner finish of approximately 6-8mm, and a far more textured surface. This is popularly known as “scattercoat surfacing” or “scattercoat paving”.

Thus resin bonded driveways are whole more slip resistance and do not allow the growth of unwanted shrubs. If you are a resident of Kent and planning to use it in the pavement then check some of the famous resin bonded driveways Kent dealers online. You will get various authentic websites from where you can check out the details. Whichever pattern you go for, both of them look absolute stunning and give a royal look to your home.

Read More

Few Things You Need to Know while Paving a Tarmac Driveway

The concept of tarmac driveways was first invented by John MacAdam. It is he who first mixed tar with small stone chips to pave the road and this led the foundation of the word tarmac (tar + MacAdam).

What exactly is the chemistry behind tarmac?

Tarmac is an amalgamation of broken stones and tar, mixed and shaped during the process of laying it out on an area such as a driveway. During paving process, it is thoroughly brushed then pressed down heavily by a steam roller or a similar machine, under heat to get an even surface.

Advantage of drafting these driveways:

• Smooth and even
• Comparatively inexpensive
• Flexible
• Requires very few techniques

Customizing the tarmac

Though tarmac is monotonous, there are still some variations in colours among which you can choose. This may transform the entire utilitarian area a bit more attractive. The differences in the types are usually on the basics of size and colour of the aggregates or stones to be used in the binding process. You can easily choose an aggregate that will look distinctly different from the one used on the road, or an aggregate that will blend in to your property as much as possible.

Get Tarmac along with your neighbours, kind of joint venture

Although tarmac is comparatively affordable for surfacing driveways, the overall estimate may get a whole cheaper if used on a bigger area. This is because, bringing down and operating the entire machinery is costly. So, ask your neighbours if they are also interested in getting their driveways re-surfaced to get a reasonable quotation from the contractor. This can be a smart move to get an exclusive look for your drive way in cheap rate. You can also approach to a branded company as they may offer some amazing discounts and get the work done with perfection.

Consider the desired area of your home. If your driveway is the only one place paved out of tarmac in that area and it doesn't blend in, it might possibly reduce the aesthetic value of your home. So, have a look around first, before jumping into a tarmac conclusion. You can also search for tarmac driveways Kent for more information. Find the best suitable design to get the ultimate look for your lawn. Do visit various websites and check out their rates and services before you hire a suitable agency.

Read More