Block Paving Driveways That Add Kerb Appeal and Last for Years

A block paved driveway built on a correctly specified sub-base will typically last 25 years or more with minimal maintenance. The blocks themselves are extremely durable — the main causes of premature failure are inadequate sub-base depth, missing edge restraints, or incorrect drainage grading. Because we specify and document every layer of the construction, our driveways are built to stand up to normal domestic vehicle loading for decades. We guarantee our workmanship in writing and will return to address any settlement or edge spread that occurs within the guarantee period.

Yes — and this is one of the key advantages of block paving over concrete or tarmac. Individual blocks can be lifted, the sub-base regraded or built up where it has settled, and the same blocks relaid and rejointed. As long as the original blocks are retained somewhere accessible, the repair will be virtually invisible. This makes block paving a particularly good choice for driveways where underground services may need future access, or where tree roots might cause localised movement over time.

In most cases, no. Under Permitted Development rules you can install a new driveway without planning permission provided the surface drains to a lawn or border, or uses a permeable paving system that allows rainfall to drain through the surface into the ground. If the driveway directs surface water onto a public road, you will need planning consent. We design every driveway we install to be drainage-compliant from the outset, so you won't fall foul of the Environment Agency's SuDS rules or face a retrospective planning issue.

We work with several leading block manufacturers — including Marshalls, Brett, and Tobermore — and can supply standard rectangular blocks in stretcher, basket weave, or herringbone patterns, as well as tumbled sett ranges that give a more traditional, aged appearance. Colours include charcoal, buff, brindle, red, and silver grey, with multi-tonal blends also available. We can also combine block types to create contrasting borders or feature panels. We bring physical samples to your free survey visit so there's no guessing from a catalogue photograph.

A typical single-car driveway on a standard Burton upon Trent semi-detached takes two to three days from start to finish — one day for excavation and sub-base, one day for laying and jointing. A double driveway or a more complex layout with curves and feature panels typically takes three to four days. The drive can normally be used by foot traffic within a few hours of completion and by vehicles once the jointing sand has fully settled — usually 24–48 hours after completion, weather depending.

Sealing is not essential but it offers real practical benefits — particularly on light-coloured blocks where oil drips, algae growth, and tyre marks are most visible. A good quality impregnating sealer will enhance the natural colour of the blocks, harden the jointing sand to reduce weed ingress, and make the surface significantly easier to clean with a pressure washer. We recommend waiting at least two to three months after laying before applying a sealer so the blocks have fully settled and any initial efflorescence has weathered off. We offer sealing as an optional extra at the time of installation.