Concrete imprinted driveways
Discussion
Anyone have any experience with having a concrete imprinted driveway done. I am looking to ship out my block paving, which is pain come the summer with weeds and general up keep required. It seems like the concrete imprinted things are all the rage at the moment. Just interested in anyone who has experience of what they are like, longevity, cost etc.
TIA.
TIA.
I like the look of this stuff, I see it around every now and then and it looks pretty smart, and relatively quick and cheap to lay I would have thought.
I have two problems with it -
I don't like the shiny finish, which looks odd, and myus be lethal when wet. And secondly, does it crack after time (a proper base and preparation woudl help I guess)?
I have two problems with it -
I don't like the shiny finish, which looks odd, and myus be lethal when wet. And secondly, does it crack after time (a proper base and preparation woudl help I guess)?
Had a patio, path and front garden done using this. Laid about 9 years ago and still fine. One very small crack at the back of the house but easily fixed. Due a re-surface soon (they basically re-stain the surface).
Certain patterns look better than others. We went for the "Yorkstone effect". The ones that look like block paving tend IMO, to look a bit too artificial.
A Neighbour had his drive done around the same time and that's also bearing up well.
Certain patterns look better than others. We went for the "Yorkstone effect". The ones that look like block paving tend IMO, to look a bit too artificial.
A Neighbour had his drive done around the same time and that's also bearing up well.
prand said:
I don't like the shiny finish, which looks odd, and myus be lethal when wet. And secondly, does it crack after time (a proper base and preparation woudl help I guess)?
The shine lasts a couple of months. It does look better with age. Maybe shiny but not slippery.If laid right, cracks not a problem - no more so than other material.
I guess a lot is going to depend on the quality of base preparation and the stability of the ground. We are on good old Essex clay, and the older examples of imprinting that I've seen locally are now showing signs of cracking due to earth movement. I'm happy to keep to block paving, with one or two treatments of Pathclear each year to get rid of any weeds.
John
John
The guy next to me in Malta owns one of the biggest, well respected pattern imprinted concrete firms on the Island, he has worked at Euro Disney, Portomaso, etc.
When he wanted his drive re-done on his villa, he used floor tiles.
Possibly, this was something to do with the heat.....
Or maybe not.......
When he wanted his drive re-done on his villa, he used floor tiles.
Possibly, this was something to do with the heat.....
Or maybe not.......
they look nice and are very hard wearing. My boss has had his done and has more traffic through there than our local sainsburys! The one thing i would say about them is a problem we come across at work from time to time is when you need to do work beneath them.
Ive seen it time and time again. " your gas/water pipe is leaking and it's under your lovley drive, we'll have to break a hole in it a meter square right in the middle". "you aint touching that drive cost me a fortune" "you'll be going without gas/water then sir"
Ive seen it time and time again. " your gas/water pipe is leaking and it's under your lovley drive, we'll have to break a hole in it a meter square right in the middle". "you aint touching that drive cost me a fortune" "you'll be going without gas/water then sir"
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