Guides
Block paving guides
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask before, during and after a block paving job.
How much does a block paving driveway cost in 2026?
Block paving driveway prices for 2026: cost per m², totals for 30, 50 and 80 m² drives, extras, regional differences and what a quote should include.
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What should a block paving quote include?
A checklist for comparing block paving quotes: dig depth, sub-base, laying course, edging, falls, drainage, covers, waste, timings and your cancellation rights.
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Herringbone, stretcher bond or basketweave: which block paving pattern?
Which block paving pattern suits a driveway, patio or path? Herringbone at 45 and 90 degrees, stretcher bond and basketweave compared, with cost and strength.
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50 mm, 60 mm or 80 mm: what thickness of block paving do you need?
What thickness of block paving to use for a driveway, patio or path: 50 mm vs 60 mm vs 80 mm, what the British Standard says and what we recommend.
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Do you need planning permission for a block paved driveway?
Planning rules for block paved front drives in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the 5 m² rule, permeable paving and dropped kerb approvals.
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Permeable vs standard block paving: which do you need?
Permeable and standard block paving compared: how each drains, build-ups, cost, maintenance and when planning rules make permeable the simpler choice.
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Clay or concrete block paving: what is the difference?
Clay pavers and concrete block paving compared on look, colour fastness, cost, cutting, strength and which homes each suits.
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Choosing block paving colours and patterns for your house
How to choose block paving colours, borders and patterns that suit your house: brindle, charcoal, buff, silver, clay and tumbled blocks.
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Can new block paving match an existing drive?
How to match new block paving to an older drive for an extension or repair: same ranges, weathering, re-mixing and when a planned contrast looks better.
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Dropped kerbs: how to get one for a new block drive
How dropped kerb applications work in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, typical costs and fees, and how to time it with a new drive.
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Block paving or tarmac: which is better for a driveway?
Block paving and tarmac driveways compared on cost, looks, repairs, drainage and lifespan, so you can choose the right surface.
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Block paving and resin bound driveways compared honestly: cost on new and existing bases, drainage, repairs, maintenance and looks.
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How to look after block paving
How to look after block paving: sweeping, weeds, topping up joint sand, safe pressure washing, oil stains, efflorescence and when to seal.
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Why does block paving sink, and how is it fixed?
The causes of sunken, rutted and rocking block paving, how to tell which you have, and how a proper repair fixes the base rather than the symptom.
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How much do block paving repairs cost?
2026 guide prices for block paving repairs: lifting and re-laying, sunken patches, broken blocks, re-sanding, cleaning and sealing, including VAT.
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Should you seal block paving?
Whether to seal block paving: what sealer does, the different finishes, how long it lasts, when to wait after laying and what it costs.
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How a block paved driveway is built, layer by layer
Each layer of a properly built block paved driveway: excavation, sub-base, laying course, edging, blocks, jointing and compaction, with typical depths.
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