When choosing the design of your paving its important you make a choice that you are happy with. Not only will you have to look at your paving for some time on your drive or patio but a poor choice could inadvertently lower the value of your house. So we recommend that you should weigh up your options before committing to a single style. The following guide describes some popular paving styles to help inspire and inform you.
Materials Used in Paving
One of the first things to take into account is the materials that are used for your paving. Some materials are only available in limited colours which may affect any plans for a colour scheme. Different materials will also require different levels of maintenance.
Generally, the choice is between concrete blocks and clay bricks. The differences between the two are outlined below.
Concrete Bricks for Paving
Concrete is readily available and can be found at competitive prices; making it a cost effective solution. Concrete blocks can be ordered to fill areas of any size and are available in a range of different shapes and depths with textures to match your surroundings. Concrete blocks are fairly resilient and last for around 20 years depending on the climate in your area, traffic and other factors.
Paving with Clay Tiles
The clay provides an impermeable solution that is built to last. Clay bricks won't fade in colour over time and will not noticeably deteriorate with increased traffic. Clay bricks are available in fewer sizes compared to concrete blocks and are usually only available in square or rectangular bricks. Clay bricks are a long lasting paving solution with a reflective price tag.
Colour Schemes For Drive Ways
Different materials are available in varying colour schemes that change between suppliers. Paving blocks are usually available in one of two variants.
- Monotone Blocks consist of bricks that are all the same colour
- Multicoloured Blocks have two or more colours arranged in a geometric pattern. The colours may be equally distributed or use small amounts of a single colour to break up the design.
These styles can be requested in different combinations as desired. A popular choice is to use a multi toned block for the body of a drive or patio and then use a single block colouring to frame it.
Generally speaking, when you're choosing a design it is recommended to choose colours that match your surroundings. Take into account the colour of the bricks of your house and think about how much light the area receives during the course of a day.