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.

Granite Driveways for a weedfree zone

Posted on June 29th, 2010

Weeds at home in Cobblelock

Controlling weeds in cobblelock is a constant chore

Following spraying there is the tedious task of removing dead weeds

Despite being relatively easy to instal there are many common problems to be found in areas which have been paved with cobblelock. For example, subsidence where the cobbles simply sink and joints open like clam shells. The edging/kerbing comes away because of insufficient concrete haunching (support) to enable it withstand lateral pressure. These problems are directly related to poor workmanship, inadequate ground preparation and poor installation. Another problem which causes a lot of upset is the loss of colour after a relatively short period of time. But perhaps the greatest irritation is of the course the constant battle to keep weeds under control. If ignored weeds can quickly become infested with weed, which reminds me of the old gardening saying ” one year’s seed means seven years weeding”!

But why do weeds proliferate in cobblelock? The answer lies perhaps in the sanded joints which appear to be the perfect weed growing. Spraying with systemic weedkiller will of course kill the weeds, but the unsightly dead weed must be removed, which may also risk some small amounts of the silicate sand to be removed. Over time with repeat weeding could result in gaps appearing in the joints which could ultimately undermine the stability of individual cobblelock. This situation is further exacerbated with powerwashing of the cobblelock area which in the process of removing accumulated surface grime also washes out sand from the joints. Although joints can resanded, results show that this is rarely successful and a downward spiral of widening causing bigger gaps to occur which not only makes surface unstable but also weed infestation to take place.

Sand and cement grouted joints being much more robust and resilient will prevent deep rooted weeds becoming established and also withstand annual powerwashing (if required). Although some fading can occur with natural stone, some can darken with age, but most with a little maintenance will retain all of the original charm and much of the original colour. 

Granite (Setts) Driveway - beauty, hardwearing and weedfree

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.

Granite Driveways with garden and parking

Posted on December 4th, 2009

A typical situation, how to re-model a modest sized Front Garden to provide more parking space whilst still retaining an appealing garden. Impossible ? No not really. 

As with many of our granite driveway installations, we are striving to satisfy the practical needs for car parking as well as the aesthetic requirements of an attractive garden. As evident in many other examples of our portfolio, a simple layout with careful workmanship are hallmarks of a well executed project. Granite paving in conjunction with granite setts and granite kerbing provides a distinctive but hard wearing finish, and what better to contrast the clean lines of granite with the natural lush and vivid colours of a block planting scheme. The focal point features an Olive tree and the borders are planted with Iberis sempervirens and the shared planting bed features the glorious rich golden hues of Libertia. For added interest during darkness, high oputput LED garden lights are fitted discreetly amongst the planting. All in all, a graceful solution to parking and garden needs.