The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Wed Apr 03, 2019 2:20 pm**

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0TSlTYn ... d,_England

Hello folks,
Iâ€™m new to the site and wondered if I could ask some help and advice, please?
Iâ€™m extending an existing driveway which was probably laid in the 80â€™s. The original blocks are shown in the image above and measure 200x100x65. The blocks are faded and weathered, and seem more grainy and textured than the modern blocks from Brett or Marshallâ€™s.
Does anyone know a brand which might be a match for the originals (always assuming they will mellow over time).
Any help would be very much appreciated!
Martin

Posted: **Wed Apr 03, 2019 6:52 pm**

whatever you do it will look like a turd on the thames Martin
I would encourage the client to get all new blocks
you are unlikely to get any sort of match for them,I cannot remember the last time I saw 65 mm CBP in 200 by 100
cheers LLL

Posted: **Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:30 pm**

Many thanks LLL for the quick reply and great advice!
The existing blocks are mainly 65s with an ad hoc mix of 60s and 50s - itâ€™s definitely a dogs dinner!
I will price up a for a whole new set - it would definitely allow a choice of modern sizes, shapes, colours of blocks e.g. charcoal grey, permeable with new borders and layout design...
Cheers
Martin

Posted: **Thu Apr 04, 2019 11:05 am**

Thay look like old Marshalls' blocks, probably from the plant at Sandy.

As LLL rightly says, you're not going to get anything near a match, but maybe they could be re-used? They could be laid as a contrasting edge course, or as a feature panel, or break bands within new paving, possibly.

On some 'extend an existing block pavement' jobs, I suggest randomising old with new to create a subtle mottled effect, but with thes ebeing 1980s 65mm blocks, even attempting that on a screeded laying couse would be a nightmare. Better to use as a feature or put them on eBay, free to anyone daft enough to come and collect them!

Posted: **Thu Apr 04, 2019 12:26 pm**

Thanks Tony
Great ideas and advice - so glad I posted on this site - certainly saved myself time and money!
I think Iâ€™ll have a cuppa and ponder my next move...
Cheers
Martin

The Brew Cabin

Matching block paving - Matching new blocks to older driveway