Imprint Concrete v Cobble Lock Etc

Irish Gunner

Ok time to get the front of the house paved

Looking at options and getting quotes and looking online

So there is Patterned concrete which is low maintenance and then there is cobble lock. Will be parking cars on them so have to be durable.

So just wondering if users have had to choose between the 2 and which did they choose and why?

NeuralNetwork

Having had huge problems with ants, I would definitely go with the printed concrete approach when I am doing my place again. We literally have an ant super-colony under the patio and it's proving extremely hard to get rid of.

hots

Personally I think the printed concrete looks pretty poor, I'd go tarmac or gravel over it if budget conscious (also looking at the same ourselves).

Irish Gunner

Gravel and tarmac not considering as looking for a bit of colour. Have stones at the moment but getting rid of them.

Getting 3 quotes soon but everyone is busy so can't start till June, July but give us more time to consider our options

Charlie19

I've seen a couple of jobs recently that used polished concrete and it looked great, it was nice to see something different for a change.

JoeA3

We have “exposed concrete” on the paths and patio areas around our new build. I’d describe it as like a polished concrete that you’d do indoors, but witha rougher/coarser finish. Looks great imo, a lovely sparkle off it in the sunshine.

There’s pics of mine on here: [snip]

alias no.9

JoeA3 wrote: »

We have “exposed concrete” on the paths and patio areas around our new build. I’d describe it as like a polished concrete that you’d do indoors, but with a rougher/coarser finish. Looks great imo, a lovely sparkle off it in the sunshine.

There’s pics of mine on here: snip/

Do you need to have a specific agregate in the concrete to get this kind of finish?

Panjandrums

alias no.9 wrote: »

Do you need to have a specific agregate in the concrete to get this kind of finish?

Yes, there is mix designs for exposed concrete.

I've had exposed on multiple jobs, but I personally would not use it on my own house, I would be a bit worried about freeze thaw action and it's affects on the finish.

Orchids

My parents got imprinted concrete about 10/12 years ago & it still looks great think they had it revarnished 2 yrs ago, but otherwise maintenance free. Its not fake or plastic looking, nice natural look to it

I put down cobble lock two years ago and it's still in great shape. No weeds and no issues yet.

I think if you are going cobble lock, you have to make sure you don't power wash it or even hose it down as it removes the sand which suppresses the weeds.

Mine is north facing and this winter got a little green so I put down washing powder and brushed it clean. Looks new again. I replaced some sand in a few cracks aswell.

Cobble lock works if you are prepared to maintain it but goes to crap if you don't.

NeuralNetwork

There are differences of quality to this product too. I think you really need to shop around.

Irish Gunner

Coming around to possibly tarmac in body of garden and kerb or similar around the edges. In no rush but try to get it organised before Summer

Getting a few quotes from suppliers recommendations and see what we can afford and what is best

beggars_bush

You can get those infill grids for stones and pebbles
Works much better than loose stuff

Static M.e.

How expensive is it to get this kind of thing done? Our concrete driveway has a little patch of grass (10x8) that I would like to get rid of but I've no idea at all how much it would cost to do it.

Irish Gunner

Currently going through this website and gives good insight

https://www.pavingexpert.com/

SEPT 23 1989

What kind of money are you looking at per sqm for imprinted concrete ?