Using Paving Slabs For Your Driveway In Kent

Whether you are installing a driveway in your front garden or replacing an existing one, or perhaps creating a patio in your back garden, there is a large choice of different surface materials that you can use. Obviously, you will want something that is aesthetically pleasing, but in the case of a driveway it needs to be strong enough to last.

Some driveway surfacing materials may be cheap to lay but can also need replacing in ten years or so. This is especially the case if you have heavy vehicles using them. For a patio, of course, weight is not an issue.

You can create a stunning looking driveway or patio using paving slabs in Kent. However, if you are going to use them on a driveway there are certain things that you need to take into account. Not all paving slabs are suitable for use on a driveway. Thin and delicate paving slabs will not be suitable because they won’t be able to withstand the pressure of vehicles rolling across them. There is also a constant weight when the car is parked.

So, if you are going to use paving slabs for your driveway, they need to be at least two inches thick, and preferably more. These will have the strength to cope with your vehicles and give you a driveway that will last.

The Sub-Base

However, there is another issue that you must take into account and that is the sub-base. If you don’t have a good strong sub-base, the driveway will not last as long as you would like it to, no matter what sort of paving slabs you used. If you want your driveway to last, the sub-base is the most important consideration.

The sub-base needs to be at least four inches thick, but it is much better to aim for six inches. A good sub-base material is known as DT Type 1, and it consists of a mix of crushed rock of varying sizes. Some may be ground very fine, while others could be as much as an inch across. This mix lets the sub-base interlock under pressure and creates a great base for your drive.

The sub-base needs to be laid in thin layers and compacted with a roller until you have arrived at the depth of six inches. This type of sub-base also helps with drainage of water on the surface of the drive.