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Many self-builders select a driveway style that complements their new self-build, however there are various traits to consider when planning your driveway scheme such as rainwater management, design and of course how much space you will need. Marshalls Driveway expert, Claire Blake, discusses considerations that self-builders need to adhere to when selecting their driveway scheme.
Space
Your first considerations should turn to space. How many cars will this driveway need to hold and how much space will you need to park, turn your vehicles comfortably around, or get in and out of your car?
There is a wide range of driveway paving products out there which cater to different budgets, so be sure to factor the cost of your chosen product when deciding how large you want your new driveway to be.
There are many different materials which can be used to create beautiful driveway projects which also offer great value for money. Many stone built houses have long driveways, however a long complementary stone driveway is an expensive option. In this situation homeowners could consider a stone replica product. These cost-effective stone replica products are manufactured from high-performance concrete and are available in various styles and colours to perfectly complement natural stone homes.
Rainwater management
You will need to make sure that you have sufficient landscaping, drainage or soakaway areas to deal with rainwater runoff from your driveway.
Many people choose to manage rainwater runoff by selecting permeable block paving products for their driveways, whereas others will choose to use traditional paving and incorporate linear drainage and soakaways.
Managing your rainwater runoff is essential. Front Garden Legislation, which was implemented in 2008, is a planning requirement which states that any changes to the area outside the front of a house must either drain to a soakaway, or use a permeable paving solution. A reputable driveway installer should be able to advise you which method is best for your self-build – look for schemes which regularly assess the quality of installer’s workmanships.
Aesthetics
The choice of materials is really down to personal choice, budget, and the installation itself. Some people like their driveway, kerbs and walls to match the colour of their property, whereas some prefer their driveways to be a complementary colour – there are a broad range of paving textures and colours available on the market to choose from.
It is important to consider the colour of any new driveway product, and whether or not it will complement the exterior of your property. Red paving, for example, can often look overwhelming when paired with a red brick property. Grey-toned paving is currently a popular choice and looks great with modern properties, while buff shades set off red brick homes beautifully.
Complementary products
Many people who are considering installing a new driveway to their property wish to transform the whole of their front garden as well. There are numerous coordinated product ranges which allow homeowners to have matching products throughout their outdoor spaces. This is often a great idea as it creates a cohesive appearance to the exterior of the property. There are various ranges available on the market that offer coordinated walling, edgings and paving for pathways. Walling can also be used to create coordinating flowerbeds in your front garden, and contrasting edgings and paving can be used to create a statement piece.
