The block itself
Standard concrete blocks are the economical baseline and come in enough colours to suit most houses. Textured, tumbled and aged blocks cost more per square metre but look considerably more at home against Victorian and Edwardian brickwork.
Permeable block systems, with wider joints and a specific sub-base, cost more again but solve drainage and planning questions in one move on properties where water has nowhere obvious to go.
Pattern and cutting time
Ninety-degree herringbone is the workhorse pattern for driveways because it interlocks well under vehicle loading. Forty-five-degree herringbone looks sharper and generates far more cut blocks around the perimeter, which adds labour.
Driveway shape is the hidden multiplier. A simple rectangle cuts quickly. A curved frontage with a bay window, a manhole, a tree pit and a splayed entrance can double the cutting time for the same area.
- Stretcher bond: quickest, best for paths and simple rectangles
- 90° herringbone: strongest common driveway pattern
- 45° herringbone: sharper look, more cuts, more labour
- Contrasting edge course: modest cost, big visual return
What sits underneath
A block driveway is only as good as the compacted sub-base beneath it and the edge restraints holding it in. Skimp on either and you get the classic failure: rutting under the wheel tracks and blocks creeping outwards at the perimeter within a couple of winters.
Laying course sand depth, jointing sand and proper vibration at the end are not optional finishing touches — they are what makes the surface behave as one interlocked slab rather than a few thousand loose bricks.
Good value choices
If the budget is tight, spend it on the base and the edge course rather than on an exotic block. A standard block laid properly with a contrasting border looks smart for decades; a premium block on a thin base does not.
Also budget for a small stock of spare blocks. Being able to lift and replace a stained or damaged area years later without a visible colour mismatch is one of block paving's genuine advantages.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get block paving in a specific colour to match my house?+
Usually. Our block paving page links a downloadable manufacturer brochure so you can see the full range before we quote.
Is block paving cheaper than resin?+
Typically yes, though a premium block with heavy cutting can close the gap. The bigger difference is in look and maintenance rather than price alone.
Will my blocks sink?+
Not if the sub-base is correctly built and compacted and the edges are properly restrained. Sinking is almost always a base or edging failure rather than a block failure.
Do I need to seal block paving?+
It is optional. Sealing helps with staining and weed suppression in the joints but needs reapplying periodically.
Price up a block paving driveway
Tell us the rough dimensions and we will spec the base, pattern and edging in a written quote.