I used a product similar to http://www.belgard.biz/shapes-pavers.htm and I am very happy with the results. I also live just outside Oslo where snow and ice is also a challenge, It has been maintenance free for a decade now, except for needing to clear the grass and weeds that like to grow between the bricks. It makes for a nice basketball court, too.
It is also possible to install it yourself. I didn't, but I did help a neighbor with his.
Simplify it... Turn the entire thing into flag stone or something, be sure it can be used to support the weight of cars. Basically convert the driveway into a dual purpose entity a patio when you don't need the room for a car and a car park for when you do...
Personally, I like the flagstone idea better ... much nicer, and when/if frost heave becomes a problem, it can be re-set with one weekends worth of effort. (Figure every 4-5 years you might have to do this?... and then it'll look brand-new again!)
Put a gutter between those two areas and fill it with golf-ball sized stones to make it level with the rest of the "patio" but it will still work as a drainage path for water (assuming it's graded properly.)
I just prefer something a little "nicer" than concrete myself.
That's exactly why I'm considering this and what I'm considering doing, although I'm thinking that I'll make the gutter out of cement (I'll lay a 6" wide path between the sidewalk and the flag and make it slightly concave with something like a paint can lid). Edit: but the gravel drain would look nice and I may just do that.
But yeah. Frost heave is an issue here, and if I put concrete down, it'll last 10 years before I have to re-do it.
Simplify it... Turn the entire thing into flag stone or something, be sure it can be used to support the weight of cars. Basically convert the driveway into a dual purpose entity a patio when you don't need the room for a car and a car park for when you do...
Comments
It is also possible to install it yourself. I didn't, but I did help a neighbor with his.
Some design ideas: http://www.pacificpavingstone.com/Ga...driveways.html
Personally, I like the flagstone idea better ... much nicer, and when/if frost heave becomes a problem, it can be re-set with one weekends worth of effort. (Figure every 4-5 years you might have to do this?... and then it'll look brand-new again!)
Put a gutter between those two areas and fill it with golf-ball sized stones to make it level with the rest of the "patio" but it will still work as a drainage path for water (assuming it's graded properly.)
I just prefer something a little "nicer" than concrete myself.
That's exactly why I'm considering this and what I'm considering doing, although I'm thinking that I'll make the gutter out of cement (I'll lay a 6" wide path between the sidewalk and the flag and make it slightly concave with something like a paint can lid). Edit: but the gravel drain would look nice and I may just do that.
But yeah. Frost heave is an issue here, and if I put concrete down, it'll last 10 years before I have to re-do it.
Simplify it... Turn the entire thing into flag stone or something, be sure it can be used to support the weight of cars. Basically convert the driveway into a dual purpose entity a patio when you don't need the room for a car and a car park for when you do...
That is exactly what I'm planning.
Patio Heater
Starts frothing at the mouth