The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:01 pm**

Hello,

I'm completely new to the world of driveways

I am looking for a low cost but attractive way to fix up my 11m by 3.5m driveway.

It is currently covered in cracked, patchy tarmac. It looks rubbish!

I don't like concrete, and I'm not keen on Tarmac. I think gravel will be a pain in the bottom.

It occurred to me though - why not a ribbon driveway?

This is where you turf the driveway but have two solid strips for the car tyres.

I am guessing that a ribbon driveway should be quite cheap, as we'd only need 2 strips of paving (I'm thinking red brick or indian stone) and some turf? Or is it not that simple?

Why does no one have ribbon driveways anymore? There must be a reason?

I think that they are more visually appealing than tarmac/concrete, they must be better for drainage?

I want to give my house a cottage look so it would fit in nicely. We have a large garden so weeding/looking after a bit more grass isn't an issue.

How would a builder put a ribbon driveway in? Would it all need a firm base still, or top soil for the grass e.t.c?

How far apart should the strips be and how wide?

Please give me any ribbon drive info you have - i haven't found any tradesmen who've done these yet, seems to be popular in the USA but not here.

Thanks Guys,

natalie

PS - I'm from Barnsley South Yorkshire by the way, if anybody happens to have a few ribbon drives in their portfolio!

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:13 pm**

Most likely unpopular due to uk climate and there only being grass on it half the year, mud rain Ppl missing the strips, etc additional hassle of cutting the grass, oil spills etc.

See the main site for info on construction methods

Width will be what ever the average vehicle wheel base is, generally done with council greys giving 2 foot of width

Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1342527283

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:34 pm**

I have done them and its not summat i would want in my portfolio
its normally diyers that do these
as giles said the bit in the middle ends up looking pants
normal cheap block paving would probably be your cheapest and easiest driveway

probably get it done for Â£2.5k up your way

2 rows of slabs would prolly come in around a grand if done right but not much to look at
LLL

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:34 pm**

i actually put on in for a customer last year, but gravel between concrete.
It was actually more work than you realise, due to the amount of formwork needed.
The other problem, despite the customer marking where he wanted the width to be, he found them too small for some cars and so always ended up driving off the edge!

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:26 pm**

I did 200mtrs in the garden up to the workshop, but i shuttered and concreted mine. Looks ok, was cheap and quick to do, mower rides over the lot. Tend to see it a lot on the south east coasts. Any good contractor should be able to do a decent job.

The Brew Cabin

Ribbon driveways - Ribbon driveways