Driveway and patio advice
Driveway and patio advice from the people who lay them: choosing a surface, planning rules, and looking after it all through a Dorset winter.
Why patio falls and drainage matter in Poole's clay and sand
Where the rain goes decides how long a patio lasts. How falls, drainage and the ground under your garden work together.
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Should you seal block paving? When it helps and when to skip it
What a block paving sealer actually does, when it is worth it, and why winter is the time to plan it rather than do it.
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How long does a new patio take to lay, start to finish?
What actually happens on a patio job, stage by stage, and the things that make it take longer, from Dorset patio installers.
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How to look after a resin or block paved driveway in winter
Simple winter care for resin and block paved driveways in Dorset: leaves, drainage, moss, pressure washing, frost and grit.
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Porcelain or sandstone: which is better for a Dorset patio?
How porcelain and natural sandstone cope with a wet Dorset winter, what each needs in upkeep, and how to choose for your garden.
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Do you need planning permission for a new driveway?
The five square metre rule, why a permeable surface usually means no application, and why a dropped kerb is a separate question.
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Getting your patio ready for autumn
An hour's work at the end of summer saves you a slippery, stained patio come November. What's worth doing, and what to leave alone.
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Resin, block paving or gravel? Picking a driveway that suits your house
The three surfaces we get asked about most, what each one actually costs you in upkeep, and which one tends to suit a Dorset front garden.
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