Driveways
Imprinted concrete driveways in Southport
One solid slab of concrete, coloured and pressed with a brick or stone pattern, so you get the look of paving with no joints for weeds. Laid on a properly dug out and compacted base, with the joints cut so it does not crack across the pattern.
What it is good at
- One solid slab, so there are no joints between blocks for weeds to grow through
- Strong under cars and vans when the base and reinforcement are right
- Fits awkward shapes and curves easily
- Low upkeep: a wash now and then and a reseal every few years
What to know first
- Rain runs off it, it does not soak through, so the drainage has to be planned
- A patch repair never matches perfectly, so it has to be laid right first time
- The colour fades if it is never resealed
- It needs a few dry days to lay and cure, so the weather decides the start date
Why imprinted drives crack
Concrete always moves a little. If the ground under it is soft or the slab has no reinforcement, it cracks, and on a patterned drive a crack shows straight away and cannot be patched invisibly.
We are groundworkers first. We dig down to firm ground, compact the sub-base properly, put reinforcement in the concrete and saw cut joints where the slab needs to move.
How we lay an imprinted concrete drive
The pattern is the last half hour. The days before it are what make it last.
- 1
Look and measure
Levels, ground, access and where the rain will go. Then a written quote.
- 2
Dig out
The old drive and soil come out down to firm ground. The spoil goes on our grab lorries.
- 3
Sub-base
A membrane, then Type 1 (crushed stone) compacted in layers to the right falls so water runs away from the house.
- 4
Formwork and drainage
Timber or steel edges to hold the concrete, plus channel drains or gullies where they are needed.
- 5
Pour
Ready mixed concrete with reinforcement in it, poured and levelled in one go.
- 6
Colour and pattern
Colour hardener is spread on the wet surface, then the pattern is pressed in with mats while the concrete is still soft.
- 7
Cut the joints
Saw cut joints let the slab move without cracking across the pattern. Most cracked imprinted drives were never given proper joints.
- 8
Wash and seal
Once it has cured, the surface is washed and sealed. The sealer brings the colour out and protects it from oil and frost.
Questions people ask
What is imprinted concrete?
A concrete drive that is coloured and pressed with a pattern, like brick, cobble or slate, while it is still soft. You get the look of paving in one solid slab. It is also called pattern imprinted concrete, or stamped concrete.
Why do some imprinted concrete drives crack?
Usually a weak or thin sub-base, no reinforcement, or no joints. Concrete always moves a little as it dries and with the seasons. Joints cut in the right places let it move along a straight line you cannot see in the pattern, instead of cracking across it.
Do I need planning permission for an imprinted concrete drive?
Imprinted concrete does not let rain soak through. If a front drive is over 5 square metres and the water would run onto the road, you need planning permission, unless the rain runs onto a lawn or border on your land or into a soakaway (a pit that lets water soak into the ground). We plan the drainage so it is allowed.
How often does it need resealing?
Every few years, depending on how much use it gets and how much sun it sees. When the colour looks dull and water stops beading on it, it is time. Skipping it lets the colour fade and the surface wear.
How soon can I walk and drive on it?
Walking usually after a couple of days, cars after about a week, but it depends on the weather. We tell you on the day.
Is imprinted concrete slippery?
A sealed surface can be slippier when wet than block paving. A grit can be mixed into the sealer to give it more grip, which is worth doing on slopes and paths.
What affects the price?
Mostly the groundwork. How much has to be dug out, the size and shape, the drainage, the access and the pattern you choose. We give you a written quote after looking at the job.
Also worth a look
Send us a photo of your drive
Phone lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm. WhatsApp a photo of the job any time.