How do I go about planning a driveway? We recommend the Marshalls Driveway Visualiser. It's a free online design tool - simply upload a photo of your driveway, join up the dots, pick your new driveway product and click the button to transform. The results are instant!
Why do I need to use special driveway paving or blocks? As a rule of thumb, paving blocks under 50mm thickness will not be suitable for use in a driveway and will crack or crumble under the weight of a vehicle. Marshalls block paving ranges are up to 80mm thick to ensure a robust driveway surface that is fit for purpose. Call us on 01529 308839 and we will advise a suitable block thickness for your driveway.
Will there be a colour variation in my block paving? With all natural stone products there is a possibility that there is a slight colour variant due to the stone’s mineral contents. We suggest ordering a sample of any driveway product you like before ordering to make sure you are happy with the colour. Whether you’re ordering natural stone setts or concrete paving blocks, we advise you order enough from a single batch to avoid any possibility of slight differences in pigments.
Should my driveway foundations be deeper than a typical garden patio? Absolutely! Garden patio foundations are around 150mm deep. A driveway for around four tonnes of vehicle will need around 300mm of foundations.
How can I avoid wastage when installing driveway paving? You should allow for wastage to make sure you have enough blocks available to complete your driveway project. It's very frustrating to find out you don't have enough to complete the job, and equally, that you've ordered a pack too many! There is a handy Block Paving Calculator available on each product, so you can work out your requirements. All you need to know is the area you want to cover. Again, it's worth giving us a call to double-check you're ordering what you need.
How easy is it to lay a driveway myself? We do recommend you seek professional advice before tackling a driveway project yourself, as it’s a specialist rather than a DIY area. It’s essential you have the appropriate sub-base because what’s under a driveway is crucial to its success. Poorly laid sub-bases lead to dips, humps, cracking and crumbling. You’ll also need to make sure the surface has the necessary fall away from your house so that rain water moves towards run-off areas and drains. Have a look at this Marshalls video to see what’s involved.
What are tumbled and distressed blocks exactly? These are manufactured blocks that have been literally tumbled in an enormous barrel to knock the sharpness of their edges and to give them a lovely worn finish. They end up looking as if they have been around for years, and the warm earth pigments used in their manufacturing process combine to create a fantastic product.
What should I consider when choosing kerb stones or driveway edging? Kerbing provides essential support for block paving - without them, your driveway will crumble and disintegrate, so it’s important to budget for these when planning your project. Choose edging with a round top or a bull-nosed edge for a lower, softer profile. Many Marshalls ranges have matching kerb stones, and the variety in colour within a product range will allow you to create interesting colour contrasts.
How can I give my driveway design kerb appeal? Some of the Marshalls ranges include circle kits which give a pleasing focal point to a wide expanse of block paving. Many ranges come in two, three or four colour options, allowing you to create borders, zones and contrasts within your bespoke design. Look for a product with a wide range of sizes too, as this will create visual interest and avoid the monotony of a single size block.
How should I treat an oil spill on my driveway? This is a bit of a nightmare for any homeowner, and the removal and replacement of the blocks or setts is an option. New blocks will look very new, however, and will take a while to look at home with the original driveway surface. If the oil stain is fresh, soak up as much as you can with a cloth, cat litter, sand etc, and give the surface a thorough clean. Vigorous scrubbing can help, especially if repeated. Be very cautious with acidic products - they may break down the grease, but could damage the surface. Always test a small area and wait to see how your concrete or natural stone blocks react!
