Upgrade Your Home with Eco Friendly Driveways
Eco friendly driveways are becoming increasingly popular as many homeowners are looking to be more sustainable. In a bid to reduce their environmental impact, many of our clients are seeking eco friendly driveways as an alternative home entrance.
Driveways are an often overlooked part of home renovations, especially when it comes to sustainable swaps. Many homeowners are not aware of the kind of impact their driveway installation may have. Traditional driveway materials can contribute to surface water run-off, increased flood risk, and higher carbon emissions during production and installation.
But with the right design and materials, your driveway can become part of the solution rather than the problem. This is where eco friendly driveways come in, and Creative Gardens & Driveways is proud to be a leading installer in Cheshire. We have a great understanding of the local climate and conditions, and which driveways work best for sustainable homeowners.
In this post, we are sharing everything you need to know about eco friendly driveways, including what makes a driveway sustainable and what materials are the best option for your home.
What Makes a Driveway Eco Friendly?
Before we can recommend eco friendly driveways, we first need to explore the key factors of sustainable surfaces and what makes a driveway eco friendly in the first place. To ensure that your new home entrance is safe for the environment, you need to consider:
Drainage
Drainage is probably the most obvious place to start when it comes to eco friendly driveways. Since the introduction of the SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) legislation in 2010, driveways have either had to be permeable (allow water to percolate through) or if they are non-permeable, the water must run to a suitable soakaway.
The rules make perfect sense as permeable surfaces prevent localised flooding from water run off. The most popular permeable surface for households is gravel, such as stabilised gravel and resin-bound driveways. Permeable block paving and permeable tarmac are not commonly used on domestic driveways for aesthetic and cost reasons.
To learn more about resin driveways, see our post Why You Should Consider Resin Driveways For Your Home.
Traditional (non-permeable) block paving or tarmac installed with a suitable soakaway drainage system provides a more cost-effective and visually appealing solution to permeable alternatives of these types of driveways.
However, what is a suitable soakaway? In areas where the ground is heavy clay or it’s not possible to site the soakaway 5 meters from the house, a soakaway is not a viable solution.
When considering block paving, it is worth noting that clay block paving has a lower impact than concrete block paving in terms of CO2 production in manufacturing. Also, clay block paving lasts longer than concrete. I have seen clay block paving that is 30 years old, which, after a good clean, looks, literally, as good as new. Block paving has a good lifespan, but it does deteriorate after 10 or more years.
Recycled Materials
Another great way to ensure your driveway is eco friendly is to rely on recycled materials. At Creative Gardens & Driveways, we love using reclaimed stone for driveways. Even better if it’s already on site, as there is no carbon footprint for extraction or transportation.
We typically use a combination of natural stone and stabilised gravel to create pleasing effects, always making sure the design complies with SuDS requirements.
Incorporating Green Spaces & Design Features
You can’t park on a lawn or a flower bed! However, even modest driveways should incorporate some green areas that soften the look of your property as well as provide habitat for birds and insects. This is where good garden design comes in to make the most of the space to create as much of an ecological balance as possible.
Our designers always have the environment in mind when designing landscapes for our customers, including those to pair with eco friendly driveways. To learn more, see our blog post What Does A Garden Designer Do?
Driveway Longevity
We think this is the key factor when considering the environmental impact of a driveway. How long will it last? We have seen so many driveways that have not been thought out and have been installed badly. Most customers will put up with the results for years before finally biting the bullet and paying to have the work done again.
Driveways should last upwards of 20 years. Replacing a driveway after a few years has a massive cost to the local and wider environment, as well as the cost in financial terms.
Minimising Site Impact During Installation: Eco Friendly Installation Practices & Considerations
Considering the impact of any work on your local area and keeping your neighbours happy should be a top priority. Having any building work done can have a negative impact on your immediate environment in terms of noise, dust, parking and so on. We always try to minimise the impact that we, as installers, have on the local environment. Warning neighbours in advance of work being done and being polite and helpful make such a difference.
No driveway project can be considered environmentally friendly. They all need a proper base, which is quarried and delivered on a big lorry. Diggers and other equipment are then delivered and used to create the base. Spoil is removed with a lorry. All of this creates noise, dust and carbon dioxide.
We strive to carefully plan each of our driveway installations so that aesthetics, practicalities, longevity and environmental impact are all fully considered. Care and attention to detail with design and installation, as well as working to minimise the disruption we cause, are key to maximising satisfaction and reducing the environmental impact of what we do.
Which Is The Best Eco Friendly-Driveway For Me? Pros & Cons
Each eco friendly driveway offers its own set of pros and cons, and we are here to make your decision easier. The following are some of the most popular eco friendly driveways and the considerations to make for each option:
Stabilised Gravel
- Great drainage
- Long lasting
- Locally used gravel can be used
- Can easily be altered and repaired
Block paving
- Can be repaired without replacing the whole driveway
- Long lasting
- Must be used in conjunction with a robust SuDS-compliant drainage system
- High CO2 emissions in transportation and production
Tarmac
- Long lasting
- Must be used in conjunction with a robust SuDS-compliant drainage system
- High CO2 emissions in transportation and production
Resin Bound Gravel
- Good drainage
- Limited Lifespan
- A large amount of non-recyclable plastic waste is produced
- The driveway surface is non-recyclable
- Can not be repaired without replacing the whole driveway
For more eco friendly driveway ideas, see our post Sustainable Driveway Solutions For Stylish Homes.
Conclusion
Eco friendly driveways are those which offer great drainage, reduced carbon emissions and are designed to last. With a wide range of materials and design options, our eco friendly driveways are suitable for all kinds of properties across the region.
At Creative Gardens & Driveways, we have the knowledge and expertise necessary to help you choose the right driveway surface for your home. Our team of experts with 20 years of experience can provide you with a high-quality installation and ongoing maintenance advice.
If you are looking to renovate your home with a sustainable surface, you have come to the right place.
Contact Us Today
Contact us today to discuss how we can help choose your new driveway surface and to book a free consultation.
FAQs
What exactly is an eco friendly driveway?
An eco friendly driveway is designed to reduce its environmental impact, which can include everything from water run-off control and sustainable drainage (SuDS) to using materials with lower carbon footprints and incorporating green space.
Which driveway materials are best for both sustainability and durability?
Options like stabilised gravel and clay block paving offer a good balance, providing excellent drainage and repairability while reducing carbon impact over their lifespan.
Do I need special drainage for my driveway to be eco friendly?
Yes, to comply with SuDS legislation and help prevent flooding, your driveway must either be permeable or connected to a suitable soakaway system designed for your site conditions.
