Block Paved Driveway | Wickford

Project Overview

This project was designed to completely reimagine the entrance to a family home in Wickford. The mission was to remove a deteriorating tarmac drive and adjacent lawn, replacing them with a single, beautifully designed block paved driveway. The new driveway needed to provide ample, practical parking while creating a powerful first impression with a clean, contemporary finish.

Before: The property’s frontage was dated and impractical. A narrow, cracked asphalt drive offered limited parking, while the lawn and shrubs did little to enhance the home’s appearance. The surfaces felt disjointed and was in need of a modern, unified solution.

After: The old, tired frontage has been replaced with a spacious and sophisticated block paved driveway. The new space is not only a visual upgrade but also a far more practical asset for the homeowners.

The Process

Ground Preparations
- The initial phase involved breaking up and removing the old asphalt surface, followed by a full excavation of the lawn and topsoil to establish the correct installation depth.
Foundation Installer
- A robust foundation is non-negotiable. We installed a substantial MOT Type 1 aggregate sub-base, which was then heavily compacted with a wacker plate to form a solid, stable base resistant to shifting and settlement.
Laying Course
- To achieve a perfect, even surface for the blocks, a precisely levelled laying course of sharp sand was screeded across the entire foundation.
Paving Installation
- High-quality paving blocks were then laid. A charcoal herringbone pattern creates a timeless feel for the main driveway, which is elegantly framed by a contrasting light grey border.
Precision Cutting & Compaction
- All edge blocks were carefully cut to size for a flawless finish against the borders. Once laid, the entire surface was machine-compacted to securely bed the blocks and begin the interlocking process.
Final Jointing
- To complete the installation, kiln-dried jointing sand was meticulously brushed into every gap between the blocks, locking the whole system together into one strong, cohesive surface.

Conclusion

This Wickford driveway project is a prime example of how professional design and installation can redefine a property’s frontage. By creating a functional, attractive, and durable new surface, we have significantly boosted the home’s kerb appeal and delivered a finished product the client can be proud of for years to come.