Block paved Driveways
What You Need To Know About Block Paving
The use of block paving is quite common on different driveways and sidewalk. Apart from that, the block paving also finds application in construction of town centers and patios. One of the main advantages or benefits of using block paving above other materials is that brick or paver stones can be easily replaced by lifting them up later. However, if you are planning to get the paving done for your own driveway, you should know the pros and cons of block paving before going for it. Some of the pro's and cons are discussed below.
Con's of Concrete Block Paving: Concrete blocks are quite expensive and the material needs to be mixed manually, which can cause accidents at work place. Another disadvantage of concrete block paving is that it cannot be installed as a floating floor. This is because, the tarmac must be dug to the level of the surrounding soil and no more than that. The most important disadvantage of tarmacadam is that it needs to be re-paved every few years, which can be quite expensive.
Con's of Pavers: If you compare the prices of block paving with those of gravel, cement or natural stones, you will find that Pavers are cheaper. However, these blocks are not as strong as the other materials, which may result in damage on account of heavy weight, falling objects and so on. Also, Pavers take a long time to set up, which may make workers feel bored at work. Moreover, these blocks do not have the flexibility to be used for curves and turns. On the other hand, with the help of a rotating drum or wheel, you can use Pavers for drainage.
In case of Pavers, you will find that its price is higher than interlocking paver block paving. However, it can also be installed easily by DIY'ers. However, this kind of block paving is not flexible and may get damaged with passage of time.
There are certain advantages and disadvantages of block paving, which can help you to decide which one to go for. One of the main advantages is that they provide an effective solution for driveways. There are different kinds of block pavers available such as interlocking pavers, slabs and so on.
One of the disadvantages of using this kind of block paving is that they can become very expensive if not properly installed with proper edging restraints. They may not be as durable as gravel, cement or natural stones. Pavers may not hold water effectively and this may even lead to shrinkage and seepage of water under the paving. Moreover, they tend to absorb moisture from the soil, which can result in the growth of mould.
Interlocking pavers are one of the best types of block paving, as they have excellent drainage properties and can withstand high pressure. They do not crack, rot, dent or deteriorate like other stones. They also look very attractive and give a neat and structured look to your driveway or patio. However, this kind of paving requires sealing and repair works to get back the original look. Moreover, they cost more than slabs and are difficult to install.
Another type of paver block is 'punam nar' used for driveways and sidewalks. Punam nar is an amalgam of clay, sand and cement. It is stronger than normal sand, as it is mixed with cement to make it more solid and firm. Moreover, it is cost-effective and easy to install, as it is highly resistant to cracking, chipping and breaking. It can also be shaped into different shapes to match the dimensions of the surrounding pavement.