Driveway installation services Weymouth
Dorset Build and Pave offer a wide variety of custom driveways in Weymouth and the surrounding Dorset area. We have a wealth of experience in planning, designing, and constructing expertly crafted driveways for your specific requirements.
Professional Driveways and landscaping can transform a property and not only add a fantastic amount of value aesthetically but also financially increasing the demand and potential sale amount of your home substantially. We have been delivering innovative, attractive, and practical driveways to homes in Weymouth and Dorset for many years and offer a variety of driveway solutions and materials to suite all needs and budgets. These range from traditional brick or block paved drives to modern resin surface driveways and everything in between.
Different Types of Driveways
Driveways come in many different shapes and sizes, some which require specific consideration due to gradients or locations and to accommodate this, there are a wide variety of materials and solutions which will be suitable for every imaginable need. Where physical restrictions aren’t an issue the matter comes down to personal taste and budget. Below is an overview of the most popular driveway types for you to consider for your home in Weymouth and Dorset.
What are driveways made out of?
Driveways are made of a wide variety of materials including brick, concrete and aggregate which is then laid and finished on a professionally prepared and levelled solid base. The most commonly used materials are outline in the following paragraphs.
Block paving driveways
Block paving, also known as brick paving, uses blocks or bricks to create a pattern for the driveway. These blocks or bricks are then held in place along with the base and sand.
The installation process for block paving is simple and relatively easy though quite labour intensive. Block paved driveways are attractive, durable, and reliable. They are also easy to repair, which is an added advantage, as broken blocks can simply be replaced with a good one.
There are two basic types of block paving; moulded concrete blocks (CBP – Concrete Block Pavers) and kiln fired clay bricks, known as block and brick paving. Patches of paved areas can last more than a decade if well maintained with blast cleaning, regular weed removal, and proper sealing. Any area of a block paving driveway must be surrounded by strong edge restraints to prevent the blocks and the sand laying them from crawling sideways and to keep the paving in place.

Gravel driveways
Gravel driveways like asphalt, provide a very low-cost solution. Unlike asphalt and other solutions, gravel driveways can benefit you for a lifetime, as long as they are properly maintained. Maintenance is not expensive and does not require any special tools. Gravel is popular for giving a home a natural look, especially since the choice of different plinths can give it different shades. Gravel itself consists of rock, clay and sand and although it is loose, gravel compacts easily into a firm, reliable surface.

Concrete driveways
Concrete is a popular material for Dorset driveways, and for good reason. Concrete is very strong and durable and can last over 50 years. Concrete drives require little maintenance and the combination of strength and longevity makes concrete an especially good choice for home driveways.
Concrete is also very good at resisting the worst of weather. It does not easily shrink and expand in extreme temperatures. While regular concrete can be fairly dull in appearance, concrete can also be stamped and coloured to create a unique and attractive finish, or it can include border bricks and edges. If your property requires a large driveway, concrete can be a quite an expensive option. You will need to evaluate whether the benefits and aesthetic quality of the surface are worth the larger expense than a driveway of a different material.

Tarmac driveways
Tarmac, short for tarmacadam, is made after a layer of crushed stone or aggregate is coated and mixed with tar. The mixture is then laid and compacted with vibrating rollers to create a smooth surface. Tarmac driveways are one of the best options when a highly durable and weather-resistant driveway is required. It is an excellent value for money and is the material of choice for many outdoor floor surfaces. It is quick and easy to install, and the tarmac can be laid and finished in a fairly short period of time.
However, Laying tarmac is a skilled process and often requires expensive machinery to ensure that the surface is well compacted, flat and level. Large areas can be very economically installed but, in most cases, similar equipment is required for a few square metres as is required for several hundred square metres.
Tarmac also degrades under UV light, however, causing the asphalt to become brittle, and eventually crack, creating potholes like those you will find on public roads and trails.

Resin driveways
Resin bound driveways are a highly popular choice in this day and age for most property owners as they provide a wide choice of colours and offer great flexibility in terms of shape and size. They do not require planning consent and can usually be installed in a relatively short amount of time.
Are resin-bound driveways any good?
Resin surfaced driveways are water permeable and free draining which helps to prevent surface water and flooding.
Resin bound surfaces are hard wearing and quite environmentally friendly due to the use of recycled materials consisting of a blend of aggregates which are then coated with a clear UV-stable polyurethane resin. They require very little maintenance and are a great choice where accessibility and wheelchair use are a factor.
However, resin surfaces may crack easily if they are not installed correctly. The upper layer can easily budge and result in uneven and unsightly patches. Due to the nature of Resin drive construction, they can be difficult to repair
What are the pros and cons of resin bound driveways?
In short Resin bound driveways are a good choice for many homeowners as long as they are properly prepared and installed by and experienced contractor. This will ensure a long lasting, attractive and functional driveway that lasts for many years.

Cobblestone driveways
If you want a sturdy, attractive, and unique driveway, it’s hard to beat cobblestone. Granite setts and cobbles provide an individual, high-end, and rugged look to any property whether modern or historic in style.
Cobblestone pavers are very elegant and durable, but they don’t come cheap. If you’re looking for a low-budget driveway, you’d better consider concrete pavers, gravel, concrete or asphalt.
The term cobblestone refers to small pieces of paving material made of natural stone. it is fairly common for some manufacturers of cast concrete bricks to refer to their products as cobblestones, these products are more accurately called concrete pavers. Genuine pebbles are always natural stones – usually granite, but sometimes basalt, limestone or other stones.
Originally cobblestone paving stones were natural round stones collected from river beds. They differ from quarried and shaped paving stones, which are now commonly sold as cobblestones, which are sometimes known as boulders or Belgian blocks.

What Type of Driveway Surfacing Should You Choose?
There are many factors to consider when choosing a driveway for your property. Firstly, it is recommended to decide on a budget as that will influence your options for available materials as well as labour factors due to the varied installation times and techniques of different driveway materials. Other things you should consider are…
How do you want to use your driveway?
You should take in to account your individual needs and purpose of your driveway. For instance, are there any accessibility issues such as wheelchair users which may require a smooth surface as opposed to a cobbled drive. You may also need to factor in load and weight limitations if you intend to use your drive to park excessively heavy goods or vehicles.
Driveway Size and Design
The size of your driveway and the area you wish to build on will also have a certain amount of influence over which materials you wish to opt for. Due to material costs and installation and preparation time, certain materials may offer better value that others. Material suitability may also be an issue if the driveway area is at a steep gradient or built on particular land.
Straight Driveways or Curved Driveways
It may sound obvious but you will need to decide on the border style and shape of your driveway and the constraints of the construction area. Making the best use of space if it is limited, or you require enough room for a certain number of vehicles may dictate the shape and design of your driveway footprint. Again curved or intricate driveway designs may require additional work and resources so it’s useful to consider these before you finalise your decisions.


Frequently asked questions
How Long Does It Take to Install a Driveway?
Driveway installation times vary greatly and depend on the materials being used, the size and layout of the driveway area and also the condition of the driveway plot. Preparation of the base can require more time that the driveway laying itself so this will dictate time scales substantially.
How much are Dropped Kerb Costs?
Dropped kerbs require both the removal and construction of the kerb itself along with a local authority fee to allow for the alteration of the public footpath which depends on your council. You can view Dorset Council’s information concerning dropped kerbs here.
How Much Value Does a Driveway Add?
Again, this can vary significantly, depending on the property, it’s location and the type and size of driveway in question. However, as a general estimate, a new well installed driveway can add anywhere between 5 and 10 percent to the value of your home, which in some cases could be in the region of £40,000!
What is the cheapest type of driveway?
Depending on the surface suitability and type of property Gravel or Tarmac tend to be the cheapest solution for a new driveway. This is due to the relative ease of installation and the lower cost of the materials themselves.
What kind of driveway lasts the longest?
Concrete driveways tend to last the longest with a lifespan in excess of 50 years. However proper maintenance and location will influence this. Gravel will also last providing it is kept within it’s boundary area.
Contact us
If you are in need of further information about driveways in Weymouth and the surrounding Dorset area or would like a free, no obligation quote regarding our drive solutions, please get in touch.
