Comments on: More On Boring Driveways and Changing That – Part 2

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:05:24 +0000

Helen, actually, yes. We did a pretty large driveway in Portland using “seconds” – very thick cuts of granite, cut on 5 sides and rough on top. I have a number of walkways and paths I have done in sand-set style, but no driveways. I have tended to shy away from doing too much in concrete, more simply because I could avoid it. Having said that, we have done a number of driveways in stamped and colored concrete.

Thanks for dropping by.

By: Helen Zahralban

Helen Zahralban — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:46:03 +0000

Great post and great pictures.
Do you have anything with natural stone or just brick pavers?

Helen
http://www.olympicstone.com
866-40-STONE

By: AJoy

AJoy — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:08:58 +0000

Really enjoyed this post on driveways as our driveway and front entrance has been last on our list to landscape. Something about so many design choices, so little time and money but it will get done! Thanks for some inspiration and ideas – love your blog and have put it on the sidebar of mine as one I like to check out!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:46:10 +0000

Sometimes, other materials are used too. Cobbles, for example, comprise many Mexican streets. We did a project here in 6 x 8 by 4″ granite blocks, cut from slabs and actually “overage” salvaged from their garbage, lol. Man, it looked impressive.

By: Pomona Belvedere

Pomona Belvedere — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:14:56 +0000

You definitely opened my eyes with this one. You are so right, driveways are a huge huge element in design; most of the time I just blank them out when I look at a place because paved ones are ugly. Most drives in my area are dirt or gravel, but the compressed brick would be a beautiful way to pave. I hadn’t thought about cobble and brick streets being made to resist frost heaves and so on, but when you said it it made perfect sense. May your driveway philosophy take on.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:01:46 +0000

Well said, James, but I beg to differ. I understand the logic as it relates to design. My contention regarding brick pavers deals with issues of longevity in climates unlike yours in San Diego, however. Those heaving issues I mention are very real. Besides, haven’t we had enough kitsch already?? LOL, just kidding.

By: lostlandscape (James)

lostlandscape (James) — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:57:58 +0000

Okay, Steve, let me be the non-conformist and defend concrete driveways. For houses of a certain period and styling they’re the absolutely appropriate choice of surface and doing otherwise could be akin to tacking up crown moldings in a sleek modernist house. (I’m afraid I understand crown moldings about as well as I understand the eateries in Pittsburgh that put french fries in their sandwiches.) That said, most houses these days aren’t tying to look modern, and a driveway that complements the styling can be a lot more flattering to the house than a sleek expanse of modern concrete. I especially like the way the pavers work with the architecture of the second house.

By: Kane

Kane — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:42:29 +0000

A driveway is the entrance to your house. If your driveway is attached to the garden then special care should be taken while watering the plants. Water can sometimes damage the driveway paver’s material. There are different types of pavers available which means their features are also different.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:35:49 +0000

Thanks Philip. That’s high praise coming from you. People, if you have not visited Philip’s blog, prepare yourself for a real treat. It’s my favorite blog out there.

(You have the address for the check, right, Philip? )

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:03:34 +0000

You know your stuff! and incorporate an aesthetic sense.
Your blog is very informative and interesting.
Regards,
Philip