Posted: Sun May 18, 2003 2:31 pm
Whats the difference between bradstone.marshalls & durapave budget blocks for patios / drives
In a word, Quality. Bradstone don't actually make block pavers, but their sister company, Charcon, make a wide range that's very popular. The blocks from companies such as these, and the likes of LaFarge, Brett, TopPave etc, are specifically developed to give the DIYer a quality product at a reasonable price, modelled on their wealth of experience in the commercial paving market, where the blocks are obliged to meet certain standards (BS6717).
The so-called budget blocks are manufactured to be cheaper than the main brands, and so they cut back of the quality ingredients, the most expensive of which are the dyes. Whereas a quality block will have dyes that will retain much of their colour for many years, the budget blocks can fade to a most unattractive concrete grey in as little as a two seasons. The other cost saving that can be made is to reduce the cement content so that the blocks are quite as strong.
To summarise, you gets what you pays for. If you're looking for a driveway that will give you a good 20 years of service, then skimping on the blocks to save a quid or thirty bob per square metre is a false economy. If you're looking for a cheapo job that will look good for a couple of years, then the choice is yours.
I've said it before....If you buy cheap, you buy twice!