A new driveway changes the look of a house from the moment you pull up. We lay driveways for homes in Harpenden and across Hertfordshire, including Wheathampstead, Redbourn and St Albans. We lay five main surfaces: block paving, resin bound, tarmac, gravel and imprinted concrete.
This page explains how they compare, so you can see which one suits your home. When you're ready, we'll come out for a free site survey and give you a clear written quote. There's no deposit to pay.
Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338, email hello@5stardrivewaysandpatios.co.uk, or get your free quote.
The driveways we lay
Block paving
Block paving is hard-wearing and gives you lots of choice in how it looks. There's a wide range of block colours and sizes. They can be laid in different patterns, such as herringbone or basketweave, with a contrasting border. Each block can be lifted, so a damaged area can be put right without replacing the whole driveway. Read more about block paving driveways.
Resin bound
A resin bound driveway is natural stone mixed with a clear resin, then trowelled smooth by hand. The finished surface is porous, so rainwater drains through it rather than running off. It's smooth underfoot, helps keep weeds down and comes in a range of colour blends. Read more about resin bound driveways.
Tarmac
Tarmac is a practical, tidy surface that suits larger driveways and long runs. It can be finished with block or brick edging to smarten it up. Read more about tarmac driveways.
Gravel
Gravel is quick to lay and has a natural look that suits many homes. The secret is what goes underneath. We lay it on a proper base with firm edging, so the stones stay where they should. There's a good choice of stone colours. Read more about gravel driveways.
Imprinted concrete
Imprinted concrete is one solid surface. The concrete is coloured and pressed with a pattern while it's still soft, then sealed once it has cured. It's a good choice if you like an even pattern with no separate blocks. Read more about imprinted concrete driveways.
We also widen and extend existing driveways, matching the new part as closely as we can to what's already there.
How do they compare?
1. For drainage: resin bound is porous, and gravel lets water through too. Block paving, tarmac and imprinted concrete need the right slope and drainage built in.
2. For a smooth finish: resin bound, tarmac and imprinted concrete.
3. For the most choice of pattern and colour: block paving and imprinted concrete.
4. For easy repairs: block paving, because single blocks can be lifted and relaid.
5. For a natural look: gravel and resin bound.
We'll go through the options with you on the survey.
Questions to think about before the survey
It's worth having a think about these before we visit.
1. How many cars park on it? Heavier use needs a deeper base and a hard-wearing surface.
2. Does the ground slope? A slope affects drainage and may need steps, edging or a retaining wall.
3. Where does the water go now? If puddles form or water runs towards the house, drainage will be part of the job.
4. Do you want it to match anything? A patio, path or wall can be built in matching materials, so the front and back tie together.
5. How much upkeep are you happy with? Some surfaces need little more than a brush. Others like an occasional clean and reseal.
Don't worry if you're not sure. That's what the free survey is for.
Drainage and planning
Getting water off a driveway matters, for the life of the surface and for planning. A driveway should slope gently away from the house. Where the water can't run onto a lawn or border, we fit channel drains or a soakaway.
For a front garden, you usually don't need planning permission if the surface lets rain soak through, or the water runs onto a lawn or border. A solid surface over 5 square metres that drains nowhere else normally needs permission. Flats have different rules. You can read the government guidance on paving front gardens.
Walls and edges
A smart new driveway is often finished with a matching front wall. We build garden and front walls, including brickwork and pillars. We also build retaining walls where the ground changes level.
What affects the cost of a new driveway?
We don't publish prices, because every driveway is different. These are the main things that affect the cost:
1. Size. The area you want covered.
2. Surface. Block paving, resin bound, tarmac, gravel or imprinted concrete.
3. Digging out. How much old surface has to come up and be taken away.
4. The base. How deep it needs to be for the ground and the use.
5. Drainage. Whether channel drains or a soakaway are needed.
6. Access. How easily machinery and materials can reach the area.
7. Edging and walls. Borders, steps and walls that finish the job.
Book a free site survey for a clear written quote, with no obligation.
How we lay a driveway
1. Survey. We visit, measure up, check the levels and drainage, and talk through the options.
2. Written quote. You get a clear quote with the work and materials set out. No deposit.
3. Digging out. The old surface comes up, and we dig down to the depth the base needs.
4. Sub-base. We lay and compact a proper sub-base. This is the layer that stops a driveway sinking.
5. Edging and drainage. We set the edges firmly and fit drainage where it's needed.
6. Laying. The surface goes down. Blocks are laid and cut, resin is trowelled, tarmac is rolled, gravel is spread, or concrete is poured and pressed.
7. Finishing. Jointing sand, sealing or curing, depending on the surface.
8. Clean-up and handover. We clear the site and explain the aftercare.
Looking after your driveway
1. Block paving. Sweep it regularly, pull any weeds early, and top up the jointing sand if it washes out. Sealing can help.
2. Resin bound. Brush it and rinse it now and then, to keep the tiny gaps clear so water can drain.
3. Tarmac. Keep it swept, and clean up oil spills quickly.
4. Gravel. Rake it level from time to time and top it up when needed.
5. Imprinted concrete. Clean it, and have it resealed when the finish starts to look dull.
Our driveway cleaning service can jet wash, re-sand and seal when your drive needs a refresh.
Recent driveways
See more in our photo gallery.
Questions about new driveways
Which driveway surface is best for my home?
It depends on the look you want, how the drive is used and how water drains. We'll talk you through it on the free survey.
Is resin bound porous?
Yes. We lay resin bound, the porous option, so rainwater drains through the surface.
How much does a new driveway cost?
It depends on the size, the surface, the digging out, drainage and access. We'll measure up for free and give you a written quote.
How long does a driveway take to lay?
Most jobs are completed within a working week, Monday to Friday.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Often not. See the drainage and planning notes above. We'll check this with you on the survey.
How do I look after my new driveway?
We'll explain the aftercare when we hand over. The notes above give you the basics.
What does your 10-year guarantee cover?
Our 10-year guarantee covers our driveways, patios and walls. The details are set out with your written quote.
Areas we cover
We lay driveways in Harpenden and 23 nearby towns. See our areas page or our Harpenden driveways page.
Get your free quote
Tell us a little about the job and we'll arrange a free site survey and a clear written quote. There's no deposit to pay and no obligation.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338. You're welcome to send photos of your driveway or garden on WhatsApp first.