Should Driveways Be Paved With Slabs?

The driveway is the first visual impression that visitors to your home or potential buyers will have of your property. But a driveway is one of those high-traffic areas that shows the first indications of wear and tear almost immediately. In terms of both durability and aesthetics, paving slabs are a viable option for your driveway.

Driveways made from paving slabs are a wonderful option since they endure a long time, come in a variety of styles, and require little upkeep. In order to protect your paving from cracking during freeze-thaw cycles, you should use pavers with a thickness of at least 50 millimetres, build a solid sub-base, and use a sealer.

Paving slabs are modular building blocks that come in a wide variety of colours and designs to let you create the outdoor space of your dreams. Keep reading to find out how to extend the life of your driveway by utilising paving stones.

Driveways paved with slabs have several advantages.

Due to its durability and longevity, paving slabs have gained widespread acceptance as a preferred material for outdoor flooring. To lay the pavers without hiring a contractor, watch the video below:

In case you needed further convincing that paving slabs are the best option for your driveway, here are some of the advantages.

Pavers Are Low-Maintenance And Last A Long Time

The ease of upkeep is an important factor to consider when selecting a driveway material. You can bet that everybody who visits or drives up to your home will take notice of the driveway first.

However, a driveway is a heavily travelled area that is constantly subjected to the elements and daily wear and tear. The driveway slabs could be subjected to sustained pressure for several hours if you leave your vehicle there overnight.

As a result, your driveway may develop oil leaks, water damage, cracks, and gaps. Paving slabs can look great for many years with only occasional sealing and sealing alone.

Pavers Allow Individualised Patterns

Paving slabs come in a wide range of styles, colours, sizes, and patterns. In this approach, you can design a driveway that is both unique and fitting to your house’s aesthetic.

Because they come in a variety of sizes, the slabs are also useful for levelling out areas that are slightly elevated, inclined, or depressed. No blank spaces were left behind!

To put it simply, pavers may be installed by yourself.

Paving slabs, in contrast to a concrete pour, are portable and easy to lay without assistance. While it may take a while to do the job if you are not a DIY specialist, you will save money on professional installation and labour by doing it yourself.

Paving slabs are convenient since they can be laid immediately, without waiting for any sort of drying time. Unlike paving slabs, which may be used as soon as they are installed, concrete and asphalt may need to cure for several hours or even days.

The Downsides of Putting Down Pavers in Your Driveway

You should now realise that paving stones are an excellent choice for driveways. There are, however, a few critical measures you must take before beginning construction on your new driveway.

Important factors to think about include:

The thickness of the slabs. Driveways, in contrast to patios, must be sturdy enough to support a vehicle’s weight. Paving stones with a thickness of 50 millimetres or more are required for this purpose.
The bottom layer. Having a solid foundation for your slabs is just as important as having good slabs themselves. The slabs might shift and shift about without a solid foundation, causing damage to the driveway.
Watch out for the freeze-thaw cycles. Unlike impermeable surfaces, such as concrete, pavers allow water and ice to permeate the base. The lifespan of your pavers will be drastically shortened if water carries corrosive chemicals.
You should think about getting new drainage systems if you have paving slabs in your yard because they are notorious for causing drainage issues and water damage. Applying a sealer is an excellent way to prevent water and ice from breaking down the pavers over time. Putting these chemicals down on your driveway is like putting up a shield against the weather.

Build an Appropriate Foundational Layer

Driveways can benefit from a good sub-base, as we’ve shown. A foundation thickness of 100–150 mm may be necessary for residential driveways that are meant to support the weight of two cars (3.9-5.9in).

The standard DT Type 1 sub-base is a good option if you want to make the driveway more durable. Crushed rocks or limestone are used to make this material, which provides a sturdy foundation for the paving stones.

Can Paving Slabs Be Used For A Driveway?

Driveways constructed from paving slabs are extremely common. There is a vast range of shapes, sizes, colours, and styles available for use with squared concrete slabs.

Concrete pavers, in contrast to more traditional materials like brick, can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years with proper care. Also, you can instal them yourself without the help of a professional and they require little in the way of upkeep. These benefits make paving slabs a wonderful option for any driveway and a popular choice among homeowners.

The amount of traffic on your driveway is a major factor in determining the necessary level of strength. When used solely as a means to enter the home, the road sees relatively few cars and pedestrians. A more substantial driveway is required if more than one car needs to be parked there.

Paving slabs are appropriate for most driveways because of their strength rating of 3,500 to 4,000 psi.

How Thick Should Driveway Pavers Be?

As we have seen, paving your driveway with concrete slabs is a sensible option. However, you should not make the decision without first thinking about a few key considerations. Thickness of the slabs is a major factor.

A driveway must be strong and resilient enough to support the weight of people, vehicles, and other heavy machinery. An important indicator of the potential of your chosen slabs is their thickness.

50mm (1.9in) thick slabs are recommended. Driveway slabs typically range in thickness from 2.37 to 60.3 millimetres.

The slabs can support the weight of vehicles and normal traffic with this thickness. Moreover, the best thickness for your slabs can be determined by considering the strength and resistance of the base beneath them.

Slabs thinner than 2in (50mm) are more likely to move, break, or crack if the base is made of sand or excavated soil.

Conclusion

If you’re considering paving slabs for your driveway, look for ones that are at least 50 millimetres (1.07 inches) thick. To keep the pavers from shifting and cracking, you need also use a thick and stable sub-base.

While paving stone driveways require little upkeep, they can be damaged by regular use and weather conditions like freezing and thawing. To stop the concrete from deteriorating, you should construct a drainage system and possibly fill the cracks.