stone is still the most popular
choice as it suits most budget
ranges.”
Q: Can you give an idea of
the scale of pricing when it
comes to paving materials
- what’s cheap, what’s
expensive, what’s in-between
- and are cheaper materials a
false economy that won’t last
as long?
A: “Customers should be
aware that 75 per cent of
the cost of any landscaping
project is usually the products
you don't see and the labour.
Utility paving is perfect for
functional, hard-wearing areas
and offers great value for
money. Where the product
needs to be more aesthetically
pleasing or additional
production processes are
employed such as polishing,
texturing and hard finishing
then price will increas e.”
Q: Are there any new
cutting-edge materials worth
mentioning? (e.g. composites
that look like textured wood?)
A: “Composite decking
continues to grow in
popularity at a higher rate
than traditional decking due
to the maintenance benefits.
Italian vitrified porcelain
paving is also becoming
more popular in the UK due
to low maintenance and
outside-inside living spaces.
Products such as Natural
Paving Products Vitripiazza or
Marshalls Symphony range are
highly resistant to attack from
moss, mould, pesticides and
salt and is completely frost
proof, helping homeowners
to keep and maintain their
outdoor spaces.”
Q: What about driveways - is
permeable paving now more
popular? What are some of the
alternatives to block paving?
A: “Permeable paving is
becoming more popular, but
traditional products are still
more commonly used due to
cost. Managing water drainage
is a necessity and using
permeable block paving helps
this or alternative products
(e.g. Marshalls Tegula) that
incorporate additional linear
drainage and soakaways are
very popular.”
Q: How can you add some
visual interest to a driveway
- so that it’s not just a flat
square expanse of paving?
(e.g. mixing materials or block
sizes, incorporating seom
curves, introducing height via
lighting).
A: “To add visual interest, we
recommend experimenting
with mixed textures and
matching colours to other
elements of the exterior of
your home. For example, you
could coordinate product
ranges to match walling,
edging and paving, or you
could create flower beds and
patterns to make a statement.”
www.travisperkins.co.uk
Landscape & Urban Design
29