Different brands of concrete block paving

[Charlie77]

Are some brands of concrete block paving much better than others and should any be avoided?

Each of the main brands appear to have quite a range and it is not easy to work out which of the differences are important between the various products and which is worth the additional money.

Is there a big difference between the Marshalls standard block paving and the Driveline 50?

All advice gratefully received :)

[lemoncurd1702]

The biggest difference between the two is the price. The D.50 has a finer texture on it's surface than the standard which can be quite coarse in comparison.
Both are made to the same strength. The D.50 is the more aesthetically pleasing product and would be my choice if a pound or two more than the standard.
At the price they're marketed at, around £17m2, there are better choices out there.

[Charlie77]

Thanks very much, lemoncurd. Could I please ask you to provide the better choices?

[lemoncurd1702]

If you are looking for the close textured surface Bradstone driveflair is a good option. Target price £15/m2.
My favourites though are Marshalls Drivesett Tegula. Very forgiving when installing and always look good, if kept clean, for years to come. They are a little more rustic looking though.

[Charlie77]

I'm off to some suppliers over the weekend to look at your recommendations lemoncurd so thanks again.

I have one other question, at what point should the contractor look at the utility searches provided by the council? My council have said I don't need to pay any attention to the information as any issues raised need to be handled by the contractor. The contractor I'm likely to use has said he doesn't need to look at the information as the council will have checked it.

[rxbren]

utility searches? are you on about water electric and gas feeds to your house from the road?
If so no one does any checks of any searches carried out even if there had been a search done by a council they wouldnt have any clue how some guy x amount of years ago ran the services to your house its doubtful the utility companies themselves have a clue how the pipes/cables run once they get into your boundary
its all done on visual check all of the services should be well below the dig for the subbase and normally run straight out to the road although again some guy x amount of years ago may have just put it in any way he felt like. So careful excavating where the services could be is normally carried out .

[sy76uk]

I love driveline 50's. Haven't seen the Bradstone equivalent so can't comment.
Marshalls Driveset argent is my favourite concrete product.
The driveset savannah is also a very nice block.
Tegular paving, as mark says is very nice and affordable.
The majority of the block paving I lay is either driveline 50's or tegular.
I'm not keen on Bradstone woburn range.
Brett 200x100 CBP is the worst I have ever come across and would'nt go near it again with a bargepole although I know others on the forum would disagree.

[lutonlagerlout]

for standard stuff I like the brett as its 60mm rather than 50mm
however like you argent mixed with tegula is a great look,I have it on my own drive so I would say that ,wouldnt I?
LLL

[lemoncurd1702]

I love driveline 50's. Haven't seen the Bradstone equivalent so can't comment.
Marshalls Driveset argent is my favourite concrete product.
The driveset savannah is also a very nice block.
Tegular paving, as mark says is very nice and affordable.
The majority of the block paving I lay is either driveline 50's or tegular.
I'm not keen on Bradstone woburn range.
Brett 200x100 CBP is the worst I have ever come across and would'nt go near it again with a bargepole although I know others on the forum would disagree.

The Bradstone Driveflair is an equivalent of the Savanna but with the fine texture of the new D.50.
I only used them by chance as they were requested by a customer and personally I would say they are far superior to the Savanna.

I've experienced difficulties with the tolerances of Savanna in both the thickness and squareness. They seem to loose their line easily and have to chuck extra sand under the the small size to level up with the rest.
In comparison the Driveflair hold their line and only needed to adjust once on a 90m2 area, also the surface looks regular as if it's already been wacked.

[sy76uk]

I'll have to take a look at the drive flair. Sounds a good product.
I've done 3 drives in savannah with no issues.
Maybe luck :rock:

[lemoncurd1702]

I'll have to take a look at the drive flair. Sounds a good product.
I've done 3 drives in savannah with no issues.
Maybe luck :rock:

Could be that they're manufactured in different plants.

[sy76uk]

I was thinking that myself mate.
I'm using autumn savannah for the border on a sawn raj patio i'm laying at the minute.
Lovely blocks.

[Dave_L]

Standard CBP (I don't do a whole lot of it) I like Keyline 60 Keyblocks made by Marshalls, otherwise it has to be the Marshalls Tegula.