Silver-grey block paving driveway and side access, Ascot
Block pavingStretcher bondContrast border
A new block paving driveway in Ascot, laid in a silver-grey granite-finish block in stretcher bond. The long, straight courses run across the frontage, which makes the drive look wider and suits the clean lines of the house. A dark grey contrast border frames the whole drive and follows the sweep of the curved planting bed, with a row of rough-faced setts finishing the outside edge so the paving sits crisply against the soil. The same block and border carry on through the side access, cut neatly around the building line and gate. The result is a sharp, low-maintenance driveway that lifts the whole front of the house.
The same paving continues through the side access, where the layout narrows between the house and boundary. We carried the border through that section and cut the paving around the building line and gate opening. The wider views show the overall layout; the closer photographs pick out the curved edging and the smaller cuts.
Silver-grey granite-finish block paving
Stretcher bond
Dark grey contrast border
Rough-faced sett edging
About this kind of project
Stretcher bond lays each block end to end in straight rows, with every row offset by half a block. It's one of the most popular patterns for modern homes because it reads cleanly from the road and makes a driveway look wider. Granite-finish blocks give the look of natural stone with the strength of concrete paving, and the silver-grey tone hides tyre marks and weathering well. A darker border defines the edges and curves, keeping the pattern sharp where it meets lawns and beds. As with any block paving drive, the finish only lasts if the dig-out, sub-base and edge restraints underneath are built properly first.
