Your drive, while not an essential structure, can make a big difference to both the enjoyment you get from your property, and the amount you can bring in when you come to sell it. Thus, it’s something worth investing in.

For best results, however, you’ll want to plan your driveway carefully. You’ll want to select the right materials, and bring in the right skilled personnel to install them. This is particularly important if you’re going to be parking heavy vehicles, like vans, on the drive – since a drive that subsides might not look appealing after months and years. And that’s before we even consider the wear and tear inflicted by rain, sleet, snow and sunlight.

Preparing the Groundwork

You can’t lay a driveway on just any surface. As such, it’s vital that work begins with the right foundation. This means excavating where necessary, disposing of the excess soil, and stabilising the ground afterwards. A ground membrane will ensure that rainwater doesn’t disturb the space beneath the driveway. Fail to get this stage right, and you could end up having to take up the whole driveway in order to correct the problem.

Choosing the Right Materials

You might already have a preference for materials, based on aesthetic criteria. But while it’s important to think about how a drive looks, it’s also worth considering how it might perform.

Tarmac is long-lived and inexpensive, and an enormously popular option in the UK. It tends to be vulnerable to warping under extreme heat, but in the UK, this is rarely a problem.

Concrete, while also cheap, will tend to crack if it’s not properly mixed and laid. Thus, it’s worth spending a little extra and bringing in a contractor with a good track record.

Both tarmac and concrete tend to require little, if any, maintenance from the homeowner. Thus, they’re easy to recommend.

Gravel is inexpensive, and a great option for larger driveways. You can pick up bulk gravel bags and spread them yourself. Block paving tends to be expensive, but it offers a look that might be uniquely appealing. You might opt to install a unique pattern into your driveway, perhaps with the help of different coloured bricks. This can be a way to express your own personality, and make the driveway feel truly welcoming.

Another factor to consider is the age and character of the property to which the driveway is attached. If you’re laying a driveway beside a Georgian cottage, then you might restrict yourself to materials that were available to the Georgians.