more driveway - paving and materials

We chose a herringbone pattern to lay the pavers. It is a large expanse of area and while we didn't want an overpowering pattern we did want something other than a monotonous line of pavers.

I assumed that the pavers would be laid on a cement foundation so did not even check that this would be the case. It wasn't until the men started laying the tiles that I realised they were being placed on a flat bulldozed surface with some gravel laid on top and flattened.

Disturbed by this turn of events and realising it was too late anyway, I began my research. Google told me that Kev's methods were an acceptable practice. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods of laying pavers.

The advantage of the permeable paving is that it absorbs rain and moisture instead of having it run off onto the road. It is also less expensive.

Concrete is enduring although it does crack and get water pooling above and below it if laid incorrectly. The surface is smoother, flatter and more solid.

Ants are perhaps the real problem with the softer foundations of our new driveway paving. They started building nests about two days after the driveway was completed. According to Kev the only solution to ants is to kill them. This is not going to happen - so I have an unresolved situation with the long term preservation of the driveway.

The driveway was finished six months ago and the ants have settled down to be less of a problem. Perhaps the only issue that I have now is that the tiles are also spreading over time with the weight of the cars. This may also settle down hopefully. Either that or we will have to drive up the driveway in different spots!