Block paved drives
Block Paving in Pontefract
Block paving remains a sensible choice for a family drive because it is strong, looks right on most houses and can be repaired a few blocks at a time. Sean and the team lay it across Pontefract from our base in the town.
- HerringboneStrong, interlocking layout
- RepairableBlocks can be lifted and relaid
- 5.0 ratedFrom 21 customer reviews on Bark
When blocks beat other surfaces
Blocks earn their place on drives that take regular weight or tight turning, such as a double drive with two cars shuffling around each other. A herringbone pattern locks together so that it resists the twisting forces from steering wheels. Blocks also make life easier if a utility company ever needs to dig, because the section can be lifted and put back. If you would rather have a seamless surface with no joints, resin may suit you better, and Sean will say so.
- Good for busy, multi-car drives
- Herringbone resists turning forces
- Sections can be lifted for access to services
- Honest comparison with resin at the visit
Matching blocks to Pontefract brick
Red brick is everywhere in the older parts of town, and a block in the wrong shade can make a good house look slightly off. Brindle and buff tones tend to sit comfortably against it, while greys and charcoals work well on rendered or modern homes. Contrasting kerbs and a soldier course around the edge frame the drive and stop it looking like a car park. On a front garden, a band of blocks can also tie a small lawn neatly into the layout.
- Single colours or mixed blends
- Soldier courses to frame the edge
- Contrasting kerbs in charcoal or similar
- Block borders around lawns and beds
Dealing with water on a sealed surface
Standard block paving does not let rain soak through, so the rule on front gardens over 5 square metres applies unless water runs to a lawn, border or soakaway within your own boundary. Permeable blocks are the other route, and they are often the simplest. Falls are planned at the start so that puddles do not sit against the garage or the front step. Where a drive falls towards the house, we can build in a channel drain before the paving goes down.
- Permeable block paving available
- Falls set away from the house
- Channel drains built in where needed
- Rainwater directed to your own ground
How the job works
- 1Plan levels and block choiceSean measures the drive, checks door and garage thresholds and brings block samples to compare.
- 2Dig out and compactThe old surface leaves site and a sub-base is built up in layers, each one compacted firmly.
- 3Set kerbs, then lay the fieldEdges are fixed first to hold everything in place, then the pattern is laid and cut into corners.
- 4Lock the jointsKiln-dried sand is swept in and the surface is vibrated so the blocks bind together.
Why homeowners choose us
- Mary Burns wrote: "Block paving double driveway at front and resin on rear drive."
- Our own Pontefract-based team lays your drive, and the work carries an installation guarantee.
- Free, no-obligation quotes, and waste from the old drive is cleared as part of the job.
Common questions
Can block paving be relaid rather than replaced on my Pontefract drive?
Sometimes. If the blocks are in decent condition and the problem is sinking or rutting, they can be lifted, the base corrected and the same blocks put back. Very worn or faded blocks are usually better replaced. Sean can look and advise.
Why has my old block paving started to dip where the car parks?
Dips under the wheels usually point to a thin or poorly compacted sub-base, rather than a fault in the blocks. The area needs lifting and rebuilding properly. Simply filling the joints or adding sand will not stop it coming back.
What is a soldier course on a block paved drive?
It is a row of blocks laid side by side along the edge of the drive, usually in a contrasting colour. It looks like a neat border and also helps hold the main pattern in place, working together with the kerbs.
Which block colour hides dirt best on a drive?
Mixed or brindled blends are the most forgiving, as tyre marks and oil spots are less obvious on them than on a single pale shade. Sean brings samples so you can see how they look against your home before deciding.
Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?
Sean will visit, measure up and bring samples.