The Brew Cabin

I've just spent the last hour looking through your excellent website, but I've also spent the last few months trying to decide on which type of block paving to use for my new drive. There are so many to choose from and I find it difficult to imagine the finished product. Do you know of any links that have design ideas/plans etc.

Ric Short North Lincolnshire

Hi Ric,

all the manufacturers publish brochures/catalogues illustrating their products in the best possible light. use the contact details on the Links pages to get in touch with the various manfs and they'll send you a copy of their brochure in the post.

However, choosing block paving from a catalogue is not the best way - what looks superb when just laid and under special lighting, doesn't look quite the same 3 or 5 years down the line, on a wet Wednesday in November. The best way to choose is to look around and see if you can spot a drive or pavement that you like, and then find out which product(s) have been used.

Hopefully, by the end of this month, I'll have a portfolio of different block types from all the big manfs ready to upload, and you will be able to compare and contrast on this site, but I'm still waiting for one or two of the luddite tendency to confirm their agreement in writing.

What sort of blocks interest you? Plain rectangles? Summat a bit fancy? Olde Worlde? Colourful? Tell us your ideas and I'll see if I can narrow down the choice a bit for you. :)

Thanks for your speedy reply to my query about types of blocks etc. I have a red brick house so don't really want red blocks for my drive, I would like some sort of contrast. I'm looking for something a bit special and not your average concrete block. Your website suggests clay pavers are a good choice as they do not fade. Can you suggest anything to fit the bill.

Many thanks, Ric.

There are over 1200 clay pavers in my database, Ric, so I'm sure we could find something. Is there any chance of you emailing me a photo of the house so that I get some idea of what would look best?

Sorry for the delay I've been trying to e-mail a photo of my drive for you and I've failed!!! If it's any help my property is constructed using a very common brick (so I'm told) made by the London Brick Co. The colour of the brick is predominantly red. I'm open to any suggestions whether it's blocks, clay pavers or anything else for that matter.

Ric

If you decide on the clays, I'd suggest choosing 2 contrasting colours, say a red multi and a blue, and then creating a design that gives a unique look to your driveway. For something really special, the Fisher Paving from Marshalls might be worth taking a look at.

However, if you want to choose a concrete block, there are some intriguing pavers from Charcon incorporating recycled blue or green glass. For a different look, try hunting down the Fanfare or Agora from RMC, or the Penta or Tallis ranges from TopPave.

If it's olde worlde, then Marshalls' Drivesett is a leader, along with Priory from RMC or Antique from TopPave.

Have you got your hands on any brochures, yet?

I'm having similar problems in choosing a suitable block type for my drive (55 sq m).

My wife doesn't like the supermarket car-park look of standard brick paviors (or the way they fade), and wants something a bit different. We'd probably prefer those rumbled blocks, but they are expensive regardless of the manufacturer - possibly more than I'm willing to pay.

You've said previously to go out and find a real drive that you like the look of,rather than the ones in the brochures. The trouble is that I've never seen one in real life that I've liked particularly - they never look as good as those in the glossy pictures!

So you can see I don't know what to choose. Ideally I like something slightly cobbled or rumbled looking, doesn't fade and won't cost a fortune. I know that you're probably trying to remain agnostic towards the manufacturers, but I need help - can you suggest something?

Sorry for the delay in replying, but I've been away for a few days.

For colour fastness, you need to choose a clay paver, but these are often slightly more expensive than a concrete. Where you can get a standard 200x100 concrete block for around a tenner per square metre, clays are often start around 12 quid, although there are some 'bargains' out there, if you want to hunt around.

With clays being a 'natural' product that is kiln-fired, they have a more organic, less manufactured look than many concrete pavers, although the cheapest format remains the 2:1 ratio brick shape. Other formats are available, but you're going up the price scale if you move away from the standard format.

Follow some of the links given in the Clay Pavings section of the Links pages and you'll be able to get a few catalogues/brochures that will further bewilder you with choice. :)