Driveways Chelmsford: Resin, Block Paving, Tarmac and Patios
Driveways Chelmsford are the leading driveway and patio contractor serving Chelmsford, Essex and the surrounding areas. We specialise in resin-bound, block paving and tarmac driveways, plus premium porcelain patios. Our installations are built for long-term durability with neat detailing and SUDS-compliant drainage where required. For friendly advice and a competitive quotation, get in touch today. From first survey to final sweep-up, we handle everything: design, groundworks, edging, levels, drainage and finishing touches. We use market-leading materials over a properly compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, installed by an experienced local team that treats your property with care. You’ll get clear timelines, tidy workmanship, and a written guarantee on completion.
Our core services
- Resin-Bound Driveways: Seamless, porous surface with UV-stable aggregates; fast-draining and low-maintenance, ideal where permeable paving is preferred.
- Block Paving: Classic aesthetic in herringbone, stretcher or basket-weave patterns; choice of colours, kerbs and borders for crisp detailing.
- Tarmac (Asphalt) Driveways: Tough, cost-effective and quick to lay; great for larger areas, overlays and resurfacing projects.
- Porcelain Patios: Premium, stain-resistant slabs with precise joints; frost-proof and slip-resistant for year-round use.
Why choose us
- SUDS know-how: Soakaways, permeable systems, channels and falls set correctly to manage water.
- Built to last: Solid sub-bases, quality binders and the right compaction at every layer.
- Design options: Steps, borders, lighting, recessed manhole covers and matching paths.
- Straightforward process: Fixed, itemised quotes and a single point of contact from start to finish.
Areas we cover
Chelmsford, Great Baddow, Springfield, Broomfield, Writtle, Galleywood, Boreham, Danbury, Ingatestone, Hatfield Peverel and nearby Essex villages. Ready to transform your driveway or garden space? Book a free site survey and quotation, we’ll assess your ground conditions, advise on planning/permeability, and propose a design that suits your home and budget.
What Is A Driveway Contractor?
A driveway contractor is a tradesperson who designs, builds, repairs and maintains driveways. A driveway contractor will assess your plot, access and drainage, then recommend materials and layouts which suit local conditions. Typical driveway contractor services include site survey, excavation, sub-base preparation, mechanical compaction, accurate levels and edge restraints, followed by the chosen finish. Driveway contractors install block paving, resin-bound, tarmac and shingle surfaces, and often also install patios. A reputable Chelmsford contractor will provide SUDS-compliant options where required, advise on planning rules, and help with dropped kerb applications managed by Essex County Council Highways. A good driveway contractor in Chelmsford will also offer repairs, sealing and maintenance, plus aftercare tailored to Chelmsford’s clay soils, conservation areas and the River Chelmer catchment.
Have a question about an upcoming project?
What Types Of Driveways Do Driveways Chelmsford Install?
Driveways Chelmsford installs resin-bound, block paving, tarmac, and gravel driveways, including shingle options. Each surface is specified with the correct sub-base, edging and drainage, with SUDS-compliant permeable choices where required. You can choose from a wide range of colours, laying patterns and kerb styles to suit homes across Chelmsford, from Great Baddow to Springfield. We can also design matching porcelain patios for a cohesive look.
- Resin driveways
- Block paving driveways
- Tarmac driveways
- Gravel and shingle driveways
1. Resin Driveways
A resin driveway is a permeable surface mixed on site and hand trowelled to a smooth finish. UV-stable aliphatic resin is combined with washed, kiln-dried aggregates in blends such as 1–3 mm and 2–5 mm, typically laid at 18–24 mm for driveways. For true permeability, use an open-graded Type 3 sub-base on Chelmsford’s clay soils, usually 150–200 mm deep with a geotextile, and a compatible porous asphalt or appropriately vented concrete base. Anti-slip broadcast (fine bauxite or glass) is recommended at entrances and on slopes, with falls of around 1:80 toward drainage. Installation should be in dry conditions at 5–25°C to avoid blooming or whitening. Light foot traffic is usually possible after 4–8 hours and vehicles after 24–48 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Resin driveways are low maintenance, typically a gentle jet wash and sweep, with spot stain treatment for oil or tyre marks. Driveways Chelmsford have a team of resin driveway specialists.
2. Block Paving Driveways
Block paving driveways are interlocking concrete or clay pavers laid on an MOT Type 1 sub-base with a 30–40 mm screeded sand laying course. Paver thickness is selected for load, with 50 or 60 mm typical for cars and 80 mm for heavier use, and patterns such as 45° or 90° herringbone give excellent interlock and load distribution. Sub-base depth of 150–250 mm is common on local clay, often with a geotextile separator and edge restraints in concrete kerb, granite sett or steel to prevent lateral movement. Drainage falls of about 1:60 to 1:80 toward channel drains or soakaways help manage surface water and protect joints. A permeable option is available using Type 3 sub-base, a 2–6 mm bedding layer and 2–6 mm joint fill to meet SUDS requirements. Individual blocks can be lifted and relaid for services or repairs, and kiln-dried sand re-brushing plus an optional breathable sealer keeps the surface neat and durable. Driveways Chelmsford have a team of block paving specialists.
3. Tarmac Driveways
Tarmac driveways are typically built using two asphalt courses over a well-compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base suited to Chelmsford’s clay soils. The binder course is often AC 20 dense bin 40/60 at 50–60 mm, topped with a wearing course such as AC 10 close surf 40/60 at 25–30 mm, with a tack coat between layers for bond. Sub-base depths of 150–250 mm are common locally, often with a geotextile separator where ground is soft or made ground is present. Falls of about 1:60 to 1:80 are set toward channel drains, threshold drains and inset manholes to manage surface water; permeable or porous asphalt can be specified where SUDS compliance is required. Edging in concrete kerbs, granite setts or steel keeps margins neat and prevents edge break. You can choose standard black, SMA or hot rolled asphalt with pre-coated chippings for extra grip and a more textured finish. Lay in dry conditions and avoid very low temperatures; allow light traffic after roughly 24 hours and avoid tight steering on fresh surfaces for several days to reduce scuffing.
4. Gravel and shingle driveways
Gravel and shingle driveways are budget friendly options, they are naturally permeable and well suited to permitted development where water soaks into the ground. Use a Type 3 open-graded sub-base at around 150–200 mm on clay, with a geotextile separator to stop fines pumping and to control weeds. Stabiliser grids (about 40 mm deep) greatly reduce rutting and stone migration, especially on turning areas and mild slopes; keep gradients modest or specify grids and angular stone if steeper. An angular 10–20 mm gravel binds better than rounded shingle and gives firmer foot and tyre grip. Solid edging in steel, aluminium, timber or granite setts contains the surface and protects pavements, while a threshold drain at the highway helps stop stone tracking. Routine care is simple: rake high spots, blow leaves clear, spot-treat weeds and top up gravel every couple of years. For winter maintenance, use a rubber-edged shovel to avoid scarring the surface and consider grit for icy periods.
Do Driveways Chelmsford Provide Patio Installations?
Yes. Driveways Chelmsford provides full patio installations across Chelmsford and the surrounding areas. We design and build porcelain, natural stone, concrete paving flags, block paving and resin-bound patios, specifying the correct base, priming and jointing for long-term performance. Our service covers layout, falls, SUDS-compliant drainage, edging, steps and optional lighting, with sealing and low-slip finishes available.
What Is A Patio Installation?
A patio installation is the design and construction of a durable outdoor surface for seating and entertaining. In Chelmsford, it begins with a site survey to check access, levels, clay soils and drainage so the layout suits the property and local conditions. Groundworks usually involve excavation, geotextile separation and a compacted MOT Type 1 or Type 3 sub-base, followed by a rigid or permeable build-up to meet SUDS requirements. Paving may be porcelain, natural stone, concrete flags, block paving or a resin-bound surface, installed with the correct primer, bedding and jointing for longevity. Installers set reliable falls to channel drains or soakaways, add edge restraints, steps and lighting if required, and finish with sealing or slip-resistant treatments where appropriate. Good aftercare includes a handover on cleaning, maintenance and stain prevention so patios in Great Baddow, Springfield and Writtle stay smart for years.
What Types Of Patio Do Driveways Chelmsford Install?
Driveways Chelmsford installs porcelain slab patios, natural stone patios (sandstone, limestone, granite, slate), concrete paving flags, block paving patios, and resin-bound patios. Porcelain patios give a crisp modern look with low porosity and strong stain and frost resistance. Natural stone patios provides timeless character, concrete flags are cost effective and consistent, and block paving patios allow flexible patterns with easy spot repairs when edged and joint-stabilised. Resin-bound patios are smooth and permeable, specified with UV-stable resin and an open-graded base, and all builds are planned for Chelmsford’s clay soils, falls, and SUDS-compliant drainage where required.
- Porcelain slab patios
- Natural stone patios (sandstone, limestone, granite, slate)
- Concrete paving flag patios
- Block paving patios
- Resin-bound patios
1. Porcelain slab patios
We use 20 mm exterior-grade porcelain with very low water absorption for excellent stain and frost resistance, typically specified with an R11 slip rating for year-round safety. Slabs are laid on a full rigid bed over a prepared sub-base and bonded with a priming slurry to both the underside of each tile and the screed to prevent debonding. Joints are set at about 3 to 5 mm and filled with a polymer-modified grout, with movement joints placed at abutments and roughly every 3 to 4 m on larger areas. Falls of about 1:60 to 1:80 lead to linear channel drains or slot drains, and threshold details are designed to shed water safely on Chelmsford’s clay soils.
2. Natural stone patios (sandstone, limestone, granite, slate)
We install calibrated sandstone, limestone, granite and slate on a full mortar bed, not dot and dab, to keep levels true and edges tight. Dense stones such as granite and some limestones are back-primed for better adhesion, and surface finishes (riven, sawn, textured or flamed) are chosen with appropriate slip ratings for shaded or damp areas. Breathable impregnating or colour-enhancing sealers can be applied to reduce staining and deepen tone while allowing moisture to escape, which helps during freeze and thaw cycles. Layouts are planned around doors, steps and drainage with reliable falls to channels or soakaways, giving consistent performance in Chelmsford gardens from Great Baddow to Writtle.
3. Concrete paving flag patios
Concrete flags are cost effective and come in consistent sizes like 600×600, 450×450 and 900×600 with thicknesses typically 35–50 mm, which makes layout fast and tidy. We lay them on a full mortar bed (about 30–40 mm) with a bonding slurry where required, keeping joints tight at roughly 5–10 mm to prevent rocking and edge spalling. Breathable sealing helps colour longevity, limits staining and makes cleaning easier; we also advise on managing efflorescence and avoiding harsh de-icing salts. Falls of around 1:60 to 1:80 and careful threshold details move water away from doors and seating, with linear drains used where Chelmsford’s clay soils demand extra control.
4. Block paving patios
Small-format concrete or clay blocks (usually 50–60 mm thick) allow herringbone, basketweave and stretcher bond patterns, plus contrasting borders for definition. We build a well-compacted sub-base (often 100–150 mm for patios on local clay), screed a 30–40 mm laying course and install solid edging in concrete kerb, granite sett or steel to prevent movement. Joints are filled with kiln-dried sand and can be stabilised with a polymer treatment to reduce washout; compaction is completed with a plate fitted with a protective mat for a smooth finish. The result is a durable, easily repairable patio that complements block paving driveways across Chelmsford, with optional sealers to lock in jointing sand and enrich colour.
5. Resin-bound patios
Resin-bound patios provide a smooth, contemporary surface that is comfortable underfoot and naturally permeable when built on an open-graded base. We use UV-stable aliphatic resin with washed aggregates in 1–3 mm or 2–5 mm blends, typically laid at 15–18 mm for patios over porous asphalt or a compatible, vented concrete base and Type 3 sub-base. Edging in aluminium, steel or granite keeps borders crisp, while an optional fine anti-slip broadcast improves grip on steps and gentle slopes; falls are set at around 1:80 toward discreet channel drains. Minimal maintenance is needed for resin patios with a gentle jet wash and soft brush keeps the finish fresh, and cure times are planned around weather so your patio is ready for use as soon as conditions allow.
