Copthorne Driveway Ideas

After installation, as a precautionary measure, you shouldn’t drive on your newly surfaced tarmac for the first 2-5 hours. During this time, the tarmac will still be at its softest and any heavy traffic could cause indentations and damage to the tarmac.

On average, the lifespan of tarmac is between 12 and 15 years before it will need to be replaced or undergo major repair work. Through years of heavy use and exposure to the elements, minor repairs to cracks and potholes may need to be completed, however other than this, very little maintenance work is required.

Gravel Driveways – Like asphalt, it’s a very low-cost option. Unlike asphalt and other solutions, gravel driveways can last you a lifetime, provided they get the proper maintenance. Maintenance isn’t expensive and doesn’t require any special tools.

Tarmac dries exceptionally quickly, cooling and hardening after about five to eight hours. On the other hand, concrete can take several days to fully cure, meaning that if you’re looking for the quickest installation, tarmac is the material for you.

A good crushed gravel base beneath the surface is the secret to a long-lasting driveway. The base is the foundation for a durable driveway, making it critical to pick the right base material. Installing crushed, granular-based gravel on a compacted subgrade is the best start to a strong base.

Before you start, make sure to select the right sealant for the specific type of paving you have – concrete or clay. There are a wide range of sealants available and you would be best advised to select one that is specifically suited to your type of paving, to minimise issues from arising.

Despite their name, all-purpose sealants are actually largely ineffective, offering a one-size fits all approach, as opposed to more targeted tackling of weed growth. Select the sealant that will give you the effect you are looking for: matt, wet look, damp look, low sheen or neutral.

In terms of cost, you really do get what you pay for. Generally speaking, the more expensive the sealant, the better it will be.

Block paving laid on a subbase is stronger than concrete itself. You should expect it to last a lifetime as long as due care is taken with your driveway in the form of regular maintenance.

Unlike block paved or concrete driveways, tarmac can be laid directly onto any existing surface, whereas the other materials require a full depth bedding layer before work can even begin.

With proper care and maintenance, a gravel driveway can last up to 100 years. The beauty of gravel is that it can be repaired and replenished on an ongoing basis.

A gravel/shingle driveway is the cheapest option for most properties and is also the quickest to install.

Resin-bound driveway is the recommend surface type for a slope driveway

Tarmac is renowned for being easy to maintain as regular jet washing should be all that’s needed to keep it looking great and functioning effectively.

One of the main reasons why your block paving sunk is because the drive was not done properly. In most cases, the reason is ground preparation. Your company probably didn’t dig enough out. To get a good block paving, the company setting your driveway needs to dig out down to the good solid ground.

We can absolutely help you with the repairs of your block paving.

The life expectancy of a resin bound driveway is over 15 years.

As a completely natural and fully recyclable material tarmac can be considered one of the most environmentally friendly methods of the surfacing available.

A new driveway must be at least 10ft to 12ft wide (3m to 3.6m), as anything smaller will present challenges for drivers

Using a membrane underneath your gravel drive or path will prevent weeds whilst allowing natural elements to permeate through the soil but it is not absolutely necessary.

We say your new resin-bound system is weed-resistant rather than weed-free. Whilst nothing will grow up through the surface, air-born seedlings may land on top, causing a small amount of growth. We recommend applying a weed killer once or twice a year if this should happen.