Block Paving Options?
The material used for block paving will either be Concrete or Clay. In most cases people opt for concrete blocks due to the reduced costs and ease of installation. Here is a quick run-down of the material’s characteristics for block paving:
What’s Involved?
The procedure for laying block paving is pretty much the same in most cases..
On average an average 60m² driveway should take us between 4-5 days total.
The first day, or two is for the initial groundwork. This usually involves diggers and cement breaking machines.
The following days may only need 1-3 skilled workers to prepare the surface and lay the paving.
The material used for block paving will either be Concrete or Clay. In most cases people opt for concrete blocks due to the reduced costs and ease of installation. Here is a quick run-down of the material’s characteristics for block paving:
- Affordable
- Variety of shapes and textures
- Accurate sizing
- Variety of block depths available
- Colour ages well through the years
- Expected life of 20+ years
What’s Involved?
The procedure for laying block paving is pretty much the same in most cases..
- Planning. Establish the exact area you will be paving. For larger projects it’s beneficial to have a construction plan drafted.
- Dig Out. We will need to dig out the entire area, probably with machinery such as a digger or excavator. If there is concrete we will break it up and remove the waste and any excess soil from site
- Digging Down. Digging down is really important and we always allow for 200-250mm below the new Block paving level.
- Sub-Base. We will need to spread, level out and compact a hardcore M.O.T. sub-base. Filling any voids and matching the proposed profile for your Block paving.
- Edging Stones. Are an important feature and are needed to restrain the edge of the block paving to keeping the blocks in place. We will use an existing kerb or lay new edging stones. They will be secured within at lease 75mm of concrete.
- Laying Course. We will than lay, spread and level course sand, which will be compacted using a vibration plate.
- Screeding. Finally screeding between 25-40mm thick will create a solid base for your block paving, it needs to be smooth and runs with the intended level of the paving.
- Laying the Blocks. The blocks are laid pressed together as they bed into the sand. Spacing burs on the blocks help to keep things square.
- Alignment. The alignment of the blocks should be constantly and all side block should be set with overlapping joints.
- Final Jointing. We only brush spread kiln dried jointing sand over the entire block paving. The sand is brushed down into every joint. Followed by vibrating the entire block paving for at least 10mins.
- Repeat and Repeat. We spread more kiln dried jointing sand over and into the joints and vibrate the blocks for a further 10 minutes. Or until all the block joints are filled.
On average an average 60m² driveway should take us between 4-5 days total.
The first day, or two is for the initial groundwork. This usually involves diggers and cement breaking machines.
The following days may only need 1-3 skilled workers to prepare the surface and lay the paving.
