On heavy ground
On Vale clay, block paving is only as good as the base beneath it. We dig out to firm formation, lay a geotextile to separate clay from stone, then build up a compacted crushed stone sub-base in layers. Edges are set on concrete and haunched so the paving can't spread.
Styles
Tumbled blocks give a softer, aged look. Smooth, sharp-edged blocks suit contemporary new builds. Clay pavers look right beside the red brick that's common across the town. Herringbone is the strongest pattern under cars; a contrasting border frames the drive.
Widening a new-build drive
Many new homes come with a single-width drive. Widening it to take two cars usually means removing turf or a planted strip, extending the sub-base and blending new paving with the old, or relaying the whole drive in a single style. Before widening, check your title deeds and any estate covenants.
Drainage
Standard block paving sheds water. On a front garden over five square metres it has to drain to a soakaway, a channel or a planted area on your property. On clay, soakaways drain slowly, so permeable paving with an overflow can be a better option.
