WHAT WE DO
Hard and Soft Landscaping
Anderson Norman provides garden construction solutions for hard and soft landscaping, including driveways and paving.
We always endeavour to deliver an authentic and harmonious scheme and take great pride in selecting materials that are sympathetic to their environment.
Our team has all the essential skills required to design and build your entire garden using both traditional and contemporary materials. Our gallery gives a few examples of our external works, from planting and paving, to water features and garden structures.
PAVING, DRIVEWAYS AND STONEWORK
Key Considerations
These include drainage compliance (such as UK Sustainable Drainage Systems - SuDS regulations for front gardens), material durability (balancing heavy vehicle loads against pedestrian use), ground preparation (sub-base depth and soil type), and total project costs.
To ensure a functional and long-lasting installation, we focus on these primary elements:
01
DRAINAGE AND PLANNING PERMISSION
SuDS Compliance: In the UK, paving a front garden with non-porous materials requires planning permission unless the design directs rainwater to a permeable area. Consider permeable block paving, resin-bound gravel, or gravel grids.
Runoff: Ensure the finished surface slopes away from your property's damp-proof course (DPC) to prevent structural water damage.
02
MATERIAL SELECTION
Driveways: Require high compressive strength. Standard block paving (60-80mm thick), resin-bound surfaces, or natural stone setts easily withstand vehicular traffic.
Patios and Walkways: Can use less rigid materials. Indian sandstone, porcelain paving, and limestone offer beautiful aesthetics and are ideal for pedestrian-only foot traffic.
03
BASE CONSTRUCTION (FOUNDATION)
The lifespan of your paving is entirely dependent on what lies beneath. Driveways generally require a robust, compacted sub-base of at least 150mm to 200mm, whereas patios may only require 100mm.
04
EDGE RESTRAINTS
Driveway Spreading: Heavy vehicle movement will cause un-edged driveways to shift and spread over time. Secure concrete kerbs or metal edge restraints are essential to lock paving blocks in place.
05
MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
Slip Resistance: For wet UK climates, choose materials with a textured, non-slip finish, particularly around garden paths and shaded patio areas.
Weed and Moss Prevention: Tight, sealed joints (using kiln-dried sand or polymeric compounds) will minimise ongoing weeding and maintenance.
