Driveways & Paving

What Are Driveway & Paving Supplies?

Driveway and paving supplies include the essential materials and tools needed to build or maintain driveways, pathways, and other hardstanding areas around your property.

These supplies cover everything required from the ground preparation right through to the finished surface and its ongoing care.

At Materials Market, we understand the importance of creating a space that’s uniquely yours. That’s why we offer a variety of driveway surface materials to help you create the best driveway for your home, giving you the flexibility to achieve the perfect look, no matter your budget.

Considerations When Buying

• Purpose & Intended Use:
  • Driveways: Must be robust enough to support vehicular weight and frequent traffic. The sub-base construction and paving material thickness are critical.
  • Patios & Garden Paths: Primarily designed for pedestrian traffic, allowing for a wider range of decorative materials and potentially a less substantial sub-base compared to driveways.
• Aesthetics & Style: Consider the architectural style of your home and your personal preferences. Options range from traditional and rustic to sleek and contemporary. Colour, texture, and laying patterns all play a significant role.
• Budget: Material costs can vary significantly, from economical options like standard Concrete Paving Slabs to more premium natural stone or decorative Garden & Patio Paving. Installation costs will also be a factor.
• Drainage: Adequate drainage is essential to prevent water pooling, frost damage, and potential water ingress into nearby structures. Permeable paving solutions or designed falls to suitable drainage points (soakaways, channels) should be considered, especially for larger paved areas, and may be required by local regulations (e.g., SUDS - Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems).
• Sub-Base Preparation: This is arguably the most critical element for a long-lasting paved surface. A well-compacted, appropriate sub-base (e.g., MOT Type 1 hardcore) provides the necessary foundation and stability.
• Maintenance Requirements: Different paving materials require varying levels of upkeep. Consider how much time you are willing to dedicate to cleaning, weeding, or potential re-sealing.
• Local Regulations & Permissions: For front garden paving or new driveway access, planning permission may be required. It's always wise to check with your local council.

Planning Your Driveway/Paving Project

• Measure Carefully: Accurately measure the area to be paved to calculate material quantities correctly, allowing for cuts and wastage (typically add 5-10%).
• Consider Levels & Falls: Plan for appropriate falls to ensure surface water drains away effectively and doesn't pool or run towards buildings.
• Check for Underground Services: Before any excavation, always check for the presence of pipes, cables, or other utilities.
• Access for Materials: Plan how you will get materials (aggregates, slabs, etc.) to the work area, especially for larger projects.
• Tools & Equipment: Ensure you have or can hire the necessary tools, which might include a shovel, wheelbarrow, rake, string lines, spirit level, rubber mallet, plate compactor (wacker plate), and cutting tools (e.g., angle grinder with diamond blade or block splitter).

Driveways and Paving Maintenance

While many paving solutions are low-maintenance, some routine care will keep them looking their best:

• Regular Sweeping: Keep surfaces free of leaves, dirt, and debris.
• Occasional Washing: Remove ingrained dirt and algae with water and a stiff brush, or a gentle pressure wash for more robust surfaces.
• Weed Control: Address any weeds that may appear in joints promptly.
• Checking Joints: Periodically inspect jointing material and top up or repair as necessary to maintain integrity.