Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

Driveway Stone selection

Posted on August 26th, 2010

There are many reasons why natural stone and in particular Granite is the superior choice when it comes to selecting the surface finish for a new or replacement Driveway. Durable and longlasting surface, significantly reduced maintenance and no weeding, no colour fading, much more appealing aesthetics etc etc After replacing several Driveways constructed from various materials including cobblelock pavers, concrete and tarmac, one is constantly reminded how important not just the design but especially quality of finish influences the longterm viability of the Driveway. A recent project illustrates this latter point very clearly. As the photographs of the old existing Cobblelock driveway illustrate,  poor attention to levels, jointing, and fitting are all too evident. Poor ground preparation is most likely the reason for the disintegration of the sub-base which had caused several pavers to simply open up and yield to pressure of car parking. This not only leads to unsightly gaps, but areas in which weeds flourish. A more serious consequence is the potential for widening joints is the risk to injure pedestrians.

 Apart from the aesthetics, the selection of suitable surface for a Driveway demands careful consideration. Similarly the selection of a suitable contractor or landscaper to instal the Driveway also demands careful consideration.  Understandably much of the client’s initial focus might be over influenced by the installation costs, but there is nothing more expensive than making the wrong choice of contractor and/or material. One would expevct a new Driveway to last a lifetime (ie > 25 years), why is it that many require replacement within 5 – 10 years? Inadequate ground preparation and poor workmanship which have been compromised by unrealistic project budgets. Spending more does not necessarily mean one will get more, but spending wisely after careful research and selection will more likely result in achieving the desired results. Anyone can in theory be cheap, it isn’t difficult, but doing things right first time and with pride requires a more professional approach. Value is not only measured by the cost on the day of installation but more importantly over a lifetime of use.

When it comes to the selection of Driveway stone, Granite is the natural choice.

Driveway paving with Granite

Posted on August 24th, 2010

Granite Paving and Granite Setts make an ideal Driveway finish

Natural Granite (Paving and Setts) as the preferred choice for Homeowners to provide a beautiful, hardwearing and long lasting finish for Driveways continues to grow. Despite costing more than other alternatives, Granite represents a superior finish and ultimately better investment value. Even without any planting areas, granite is appealing and is especially attractive as the ideal wall capping for the new brick walls. 

Best Paving for Driveways: Granite Setts and Granite Paving

Driveways in Granite

Posted on July 29th, 2010

Driveway design is usually a function of car parking and garden area and often the demand for space for car parking taking priority over planting space.  But for many Homeowners, the planting area is a very important space. In this example, the overall area being generous, offered more scope to design a distinctive layout for parking, planting and lawn areas. Granite was the natural choice, which provided an appealling, hard wearing and easily maintained surface.

Driveway Design with Granite

Posted on June 10th, 2010

Current project illustrating the Driveway layout featuring Granite ie Granite paving, Granite Setts and Granite Kerbing. Because of the actual steep incline to the Driveway and to capture all surface water run-off and avoid any risk to accumulated damp areas at house, the installation included a storm channel which is a practical but very effective means to capturing all surface  and rain water. 

The completion of the Granite paving, work can now proceed with the installation of the garden lighting and finally we can proceed with the planting stage.

Driveways with Granite – the natural stone choice

Posted on April 23rd, 2010

Whether it be Granite Paving, Granite Setts or indeed a combination, there are few natural stone choices to match the durability and beauty of a Granite Driveway.  Our latest completed Granite Driveway project featuring Granite Setts is made more beautiful by the rich vibrant green of the new roll turf lawn. Simple lawns, with an unfussy layout but full of appealing beauty. When it comes to selecting a natural stone finish for your Driveway, Granite is indeed the natural choice.  

Driveways with Granite Setts

Posted on April 21st, 2010

There is a tipping point in all projects at which one reaches a point where not only is there some work to be done but fortunately less ahead and more behind but a point in which the new layout is certainly tangible, visible and indeed impressive. Granite Sett Driveways are by the nature of the construction slow to emerge but the end results never fail to impress and make one proud of workmanship that will outlive many of those who were involved in the construction. A legacy surely, but a very proud one at that. 

Granite Driveway Design – sett the difference

Posted on April 17th, 2010

For Driveways, Granite setts provide an outstanding solution :resilient surface with distinctive visual appeal. Generally available in two colours, the popular silver grey but also light yellow and in a avriety of sizes. We prefer to use the larger sizes (200×100x100mm and 100×100x100mm)  and if I am being honest, I think I prefer the silver grey over the yellow. Why? Well firstly I think the grey surface is probably a more practical colour for the surface, as grime and dust would be less noticeable. Both are easy to clean, but the grey is probably more compatible with a wider variety of Irish house finishes, ie, redbrick construction. There is also a not insignificant tradition of using granite (usually grey) used as plinths and/or other detailed finishes in the construction of some of Ireland’s older housing stock.

Ultimately it is a personal choice, but no matter what your colour preference may be, many will agree, granite setts make a beautiful surface finish to Driveways. Meanwhile on site progress:

Granite Driveways – sett by sett

Posted on April 15th, 2010

Our construction of the Granite Driveway is progressing well and comprising of granite setts (2 sizes) demands close attention to ensure that the setts are correctly aligned and the levels are correct to provide true falls for run-off of surface water. Granite setts provide a beautiful and durable finish but in comparison to other finishes is labour intensive to install. Still the results will be more than worth while. Granite driveways are excellent in performance, requiring little maintenance apart from an annual powerwash, and as setts are set in concrete including all joints, there are no risks of unsightly weeds appearing between joints etc. Granite is a natural resilient stone and is ideal for a range of house styles, making it probably the most versatile and obvious natural stone choice for driveways.

Garden Driveways – design, removal and building

Posted on April 14th, 2010

The design and installation of a Residential is far from easy and straightforward. A current project is a good case in point. The original concrete Driveway although showing distinct signs of ageing, was nonetheless a good example of robust construction popular at the time thirty years ago, but which would be much less favoured today. Aesthetics aside, old driveways tend to be very narrow, typically 2.4m, much too narrow for most modern cars. Such narrowness restricts door opening and/or standing room for drivers and passengers when exiting the car etc. An obvious require was to increase the width, in this instance 400mm. Much more space was available but clients are rightly proud of the Front garden and a new lawn area would remain pride of place.

Then and even now, despite what the building regulations might dictate about the minimum depth for positioning utilities and services like power, water, phone, gas etc, it is frequently the case, that such such services can be found in ‘high’ positions and sometimes cabling unprotected – no ducting, no protective sleeving, tapes etc. Sometimes tracking the position of key sevices is akin to a treasure hunt, sometimes pipes, cables can rise and fall sharply or take sudden turns. Rarely is it the case that the services follow a true line but rather meander from point of origin (public footpath) and follow a circuitous route to the house.

A further complication here was the discovery that all the foul water and sewerage pipework was of ceramic construction. Given the level of excavations involved, our clients accepted our recommendation to replace all ceramic elements with the more robust Wavin equivalents. With the replacement sewerage elements completed, it was possible to proceed to the next stage and complete the installation of the hardcore sub-base and once the area was rolled and compacted, we can proceed to start the installation works proper for a new granite Driveway.

A great granite driveway

Posted on November 26th, 2009

Our great project in Greystones has finally come to conclusion and what a finish. Many weeks of hard effort and at times during very frustrating weather spells but all has been well worth the time, effort and cost. Unquestionably probably one of best efforts and in many ways one I am most proud of.  A challenging project from the outset, but wonderful clients inspired all involved from initial clearance to final wash down with remarkable motivation to go ‘the extra half yard’ and I think we did it so well. All aspects of this project from initial concept, to detailed execution of landscaping works including granite paving and granite setts, new lawns, specimen hedging and feature planting, entrance gates, access automation are all indicative of how well turned out an all inclusive ’start to finish’ project is.  

Although 2009 will be remembered by many as a tough challenging year, it was also a year which provided us at least with opportunities to excel and demonstrate again how important professionally designed and well executed landscaping projects are.  A keen eye for design, well executed construction with lots of good detail in evidence, and not least a desire and interest to do well, after all pride and passion for one’s work are the lifeblood of what makes great projects great. 

Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of our landscaping works is the regular but sincere acknowledgement by clients of our efforts and the unambiguous client satisfaction which we constantly generate.