When is the Best Time of Year to Lay a New Driveway?
Estimated reading time 6 minutes
Choosing to have a new driveway installed is something that requires a great deal of thought. Not just for the budget and aesthetic reasons, but also whether you are choosing to do it at the optimal time of year. Having it laid in summer could provide some challenges whilst a winter installation could be troublesome. It all depends on the surface type you choose.
A tarmac driveway for example will be vastly different to a block-paving driveway which will be different to a resin bounded driveway.
In this blog, we look at when you should be considering driveway repair or resurfacing so you get the best results possible.
When should you lay a tarmac driveway?
Tarmac is a temperature-sensitive material, so ensuring it is laid at the right time of year is vital. Lay it when the weather is too cold, and it could crack as it sets allowing water to fall into the cracks and cause further damage underneath. Lay it when it’s too hot and the setting process could happen too quickly.
As a result, the best time to lay a tarmac driveway is from late spring through to the end of the summer. Ideally, you want to look at times when rainfall is less frequent and look at a forecast that shows there should be no rain for 12-24 hours. Should rain interfere with the tarmac, it could make the oils separate from the aggregate. This will result in a poorly finished drive! Look for temperatures of 15C and above.
There are commonly two types of tarmac used in driveway surfacing. The cold mix tarmac is used when for quick fixes and preventative maintenance of a drive. It can be laid when the weather is very cold if need be. For complete overhauls, a hot mix tarmac is used and this should only be applied when there is no rain and the surfaces are dry.
When should you lay a concrete driveway?
Concrete is a popular driveway choice. Easy to install, easy to maintain and affordable, it ticks many boxes. Like tarmac, concrete needs an optimal environment for it to be laid as a driveway. The peak of summer is never a good idea as the drying process can be sped up far too much. This leads to the driveway cracking and either needing to be replaced or having some additional maintenance carried out. Late spring through to early autumn can be ideal but you should always keep an eye on the temperature. 10C-24C is ideal for laying concrete.
When should you lay a gravel driveway?
Gravel driveways are another type of driveway that seems popular at the moment. They may require a fair bit of maintenance to keep them looking good but with a variety of colours available, and a relatively simple installation, you can see why people choose them. A gravel driveway can be installed pretty much anytime of year. Just avoid winter! You want the ground to be as dry as possible so spring and summer can be ideal. Warm weather helps for a more even setting of the gravel and should any repairs or alterations be needed, the hotter temperatures make this easier. Installing a gravel driveway during winter wouldn’t work. Especially if temperatures drop very low. Freezing ground would lead to an uneven spread and inconsistent setting.
When should you lay a resin bound driveway?
Resin bound driveways are constantly among the driveway types we are booked in for most often. Highly durable, decent aesthetics and some would say, a little classy, resin bound drives can add a little more character to the home and enhance your kerb appeal. Choosing when to lay one though needs to be given some thought. Dry, warm weather is best to ensure the bonding process works as it should. As a result, looking for late spring to early autumn may be best. Wet weather or low temperatures can see the resin fail to set so plan to have this type of driveway installed when temperatures remain in the 10C-29C range and there is no rainfall anticipated.
When should you lay a block paving driveway?
We love installing block paving driveways. The versatile designs it helps provide can transform the exterior of a home. The surface needs to be well prepared to ensure the paving is installed evenly so timing can be crucial. Rainfall, ice and snow for example can compromise the surface and leave areas varied in their quality. What could be perfect in one space could be totally uneven just a few inches further away. With that in mind, look to early spring through to early autumn for a block paving installation. This way you are more likely to avoid potential ground shifts which would impact the integrity of the driveway if you chose to install it after bad weather.
What else should I consider for the best time of year to lay a new driveway?
Aside from factoring in the weather, assess whether the likelihood of driveway traffic will be higher or lower than normal around the time you plan to have the driveway laid. Different driveways take different lengths of time to set. Concrete for example could take as long as seven days before it’s suitable for heavy vehicles. Tarmac on the other hand can be ready in as little as 48 hours. Then look at your budget. Would you prefer a block paving driveway but see concrete as a cheaper option? Decide whether cost is a major factor or whether the need for a new drive outweighs any financial implications. Could you get away with leaving your driveway for a few months more and saving a little more cash to fund the more expensive option that you prefer?
Either way, if you need a new driveway in Sussex, Surrey or Kent, speak to our team at Tidey & Webb. We are the well-respected surfacing contractors for the South with over 40 years of experience. Whether it be a total driveway overhaul or some simple preventative maintenance, our team of surfacing technicians will help you get your driveway back to its best. Contact our friendly team today and find out more about our residential surfacing offering.