Marshalls explains how to create a low maintenance driveway
Whether you are creating a customer’s forever home or renovating their investment property, kerb appeal is still an important factor when it comes to the exterior. Creating a driveway that is not only practical in terms of access and space but that also complements the period and style of the house can seem a daunting task. The key to creating long-lasting kerb appeal is building a low-maintenance driveway; choose the right drainage, materials and overall style and it will remain impressive long after you’ve left the site. In this article we take a look at the key considerations when it comes to driveway design, and include some tips to help you make the right recommendations to your customers.
Sub-base and drainage
Your customer won’t consider the driveway sub-base and approach to water management to be the most exciting parts of the plan, but make sure they understand that getting them right will save time and money in the long-term. The majority of the cost of groundwork is hidden beneath the surface; the structural layers that provide the structure of the installed system. Cost analysis on pavements, for example, demonstrates that the surfacing element makes up just 20 per cent of the total cost of the project. If you’re inexperienced, seek professional advice and consider using a specialist contractor to do the job. If it requires some excavation, make sure no existing tree roots or services (water pipes, TV cables etc) are going to be damaged during the process.
Drainage design is another important factor in the initial plans; the aim is for the drive to deal with water run-off efficiently and within the legal guidelines. If you get it wrong, you could end up with a sunken surface, pooling water and even put the home at risk of flooding. The surface area of the driveway will dictate the size and design of the drainage needed. If it has a slope or incline towards the property you’ll need to make sure the drainage system is robust enough to take away the surface water and not allow it to undermine the house footings or structure of the house.
Driveway legislation varies across the UK and in some cases the homeowner may need to seek planning permission, so make sure you understand what the local rules are to offer advice and guidance. Permeable paving is a popular option and can often remove the need for planning permission, those sold by reputable brands allow the water to drain straight back into the ground through the paving and sub base, saving the over loaded drainage systems in a sustainable way. Alternatively, recent innovations include stylish drainage systems, which can discreetly manage water, comply with legislation and give no compromise on style.
Driveway design
The driveway design should reflect the space needed for the size of the property, so make sure you talk to your customer about how many vehicles they might want to park, and the size of these. There’s no set minimum width for a drive, but take into account the amount of vehicles that could use the space, and do the calculations to make sure car doors can open easily. Ensure the design gives easy access from the highway, with little or no obstructions that might get knocked or damaged, and make sure it is wide enough to allow reversing from the road, if needed.
Driveway planting is a great way to add privacy to the front of the house and create biodiversity. The majority of people want their drive and front garden to be low maintenance; evergreen and perennial plants and shrubs require the least work, but avoid options that send the roots into the ground, as that could undermine the sub base. If it’s a large space, a lawn might be an option, to bring colour to the space. Artificial grass is becoming increasingly common for front gardens, creating a lawn which looks good all year but requires very little work to keep it that way. Look for British made options that have a low carbon footprint, and aim for a product which comes with a good guarantee against UV damage and filament loss.
Paving materials
There are an abundance of options when it comes to the surface of a driveway and the colour and finish should be determined by the period and style of the property. When it comes to choosing a low maintenance option, porcelain is a great choice for all garden projects, including driveways. Due to the manufacturing process, it absorbs very little water, meaning it has a good resistance to stains, frost and, to an extent, prevents moss and algae growth. Whilst porcelain requires less cleaning and weeding it is also a durable paving choice, giving peace of mind that the outdoor space will stay looking good for a long time. Porcelain paving comes in a range of colours and finishes and is particularly suited to modern and new homes.
Other low maintenance options include concrete, which is engineered to be long-lasting and durable and can be found in a range of finishes including traditional cobbles and driveway setts.
Mentioned earlier, permeable paving is a great sustainable option which helps combat issues of drainage and flooding and therefore reduces the risk of related issues further down the line.
In summary
Encourage your customer to consider the details of what they want from their driveway – it’s the first thing people see when they arrive and it’s so much more than a practical space to park cars. If their focus is a low maintenance space then research all the materials and design options open to you, let them take the time to make their choices and seek expert advice where needed.
For more ideas, inspiration and products from Marshalls visit https://www.marshalls.co.uk/builders
