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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:30 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i was in butterfields this morning(as you are from time to time) and got talking to a well known local paver
anyway the gist of the conversation was
"block paving is finished"
he went on to explain that 5 or 6 years ago if he did a drive ,he would end up working in that street for 4-5 months doing half the drive ways
but now he reckons they are few and far between and he is mainly doing patios with the injun stone
he wondered what the "next big thing" would be??
i mentioned RBG but he kinda shrugged his shoulders and drove off
so what do you,the brew crew reckon
and i wonder if there are statistics to back this assumption up?
so if the 70's were crazy
and the 80's were tarmac
and the 90'sish block paving
what will be next?
regards LLL ???
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:12 pm
by Dave_L
.........and back to tarmac!
/rubs hands 
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 3:31 pm
by MatthewWakeman
hi fellas
got to agree we have seen a big increase in tarmac work over the summer.
Regards
Matthew
Drivewaycompany.co.uk
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:39 am
by monday
i think its all down to what people can afford. i have dropped leaflets aroung houses for cleaning block paving, pic, cleaning and tarmac and repainting them. i have had more customers for pic then block paving . some say such of got pic or tarmac.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:43 pm
by Tony McC
There's a general consensus within the industry that we've more or less reached saturation point with CBPs in this country (not quite there yet in Ireland) and the only way to sustain or even expand the market is to offer new thinking. Two technologies are being continuously developed and they genuinely rerpresent "the future" for the CBP industry: machine-laying and permeable pavements. When you put the two together, you have a real winner.
At the moment, machine-lay is only practical on larger areas, but the definition of "larger areas" is shrinking each year. 10 years ago, we probably wouldn't consider machine lay for anything less than 1,000m². Today, jobs of 100m² are eminently feasible. As the installation technique develops and the machinery becomes available at more realistic prices, machine lay will become more and more popular.
When you consider permeable pavements, the events of this summer have given a massive push to interest in this technology. It is only a matter of time before every car park has to be constructed as a permeable pavement by law, and most of the larger manufacturers are making a real push for permeable pavements to be used for residential driveways. I've been developing a training course to bring more contractors into this sector of the trade because we are now facing a scenario where demand for accomplished and competent contractors is holding back the market.
In a decade's time, it would be no surprise to me to see that every new-build home has a drive or parking space that is permeable, and permeable block paving offers significant advantages over other permeable systems. Handled correctly, we should see a healthy surge in block paving in both the residential and the commercial sectors in the coming years. Permeable paving is an idea whose time has very definitely come.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:16 pm
by seanandruby
that's definitely food for thought gaffer. any idea when the course will be available?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:42 pm
by Pablo
Permeable paving is something thats starting to surface in the last few years here in Belfast but as yet I haven't had any requests for it (nor have I specified it). What sort of price comparison does it have with normal block including base prep and is it something that can be used close to buildings. Also is it destined for failure if you have a clay type subgrade. ie most of this feckin country.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:52 pm
by mouldmaker
I know what the next big thing will be.
You'll all have to wait until next year to find out. 
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:17 pm
by Tony McC
I'll bet you say that to all the girls!!