The driveway is one of the first features people see when they approach a property. It can occupy a substantial part of the frontage, guide visitors towards the entrance and influence how the house, garden, walls and boundaries are viewed together.

A tired, damaged or poorly planned driveway can make an otherwise attractive home look neglected. By contrast, a professionally designed and installed surface can create a cleaner entrance, improve parking and help the whole exterior feel more coordinated.

Improving kerb appeal is not simply about choosing an attractive material. The layout, ground preparation, drainage, edging and connections with the surrounding landscaping are all important.

Create a Stronger First Impression

Cracks, weeds, potholes, loose materials and uneven repairs can dominate the appearance of a property entrance. Even when the house itself is well maintained, a deteriorating driveway may distract attention from its best features.

Replacing the surface provides an opportunity to create a more polished and consistent frontage. Depending on the property, this might involve:

• Reshaping the driveway
• Creating clearly defined parking spaces
• Installing new edging
• Improving the route to the front door
• Adding a turning or passing area
• Replacing damaged walls or steps
• Improving drainage
• Introducing complementary planting

R. Exall & Sons provides complete driveway and hard-landscaping services, allowing the surface and surrounding features to be considered as one project.

Choose a Surface That Complements the Property

The best driveway material should suit the appearance of the house as well as its practical requirements.

A surface that looks attractive beside a modern rendered home may not create the same effect outside a rural cottage or older brick property. Colour, texture and scale should all be taken into account.

R. Exall & Sons offers several driveway finishes, including tarmac, resin bound, Breedon gravel, paving and tar and shingle. This variety allows the surface to be selected around the property rather than applying the same finish to every project.

Create a Clean Finish with Tarmac

A professionally installed tarmac driveway provides a smooth, dark and relatively uniform surface.

Its understated appearance can make a property entrance feel clean and uncluttered. This can be especially effective across a large driveway, where a highly patterned material might appear overly busy.

Tarmac can also provide a strong contrast against:

• Pale render
• Red or weathered brick
• Natural stone walls
• Timber gates
• Green lawns
• Planted borders

R. Exall & Sons provides asphalt surfacing for residential driveways as well as roads, car parks, footpaths and commercial developments. Its team combines machine paving with hand laying around kerbs, edges and inspection covers.

Add Colour and Texture with Resin Bound

A resin-bound driveway can create a softer, more decorative appearance.

Natural aggregates are available in different colours, making it possible to choose a finish that complements the brickwork, roof, walls and surrounding garden. Contrasting blends can also be used to form borders, paths or clearly defined parking areas.

A resin-bound surface may be particularly attractive when you want the appearance of natural stone without the regular movement associated with loose shingle.

One of R. Exall & Sons’ published projects involved replacing a higher-maintenance shingle drive with a resin-bound driveway and path that retained a similar visual character while creating a more manageable surface.

Complement a Rural Property with a Natural Finish

Country homes, period properties and houses with established gardens may benefit from a surface that blends more gently into the landscape.

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel provides a warm, natural appearance that can work well beside traditional brick, stone and mature planting.

When correctly installed and compacted, the self-binding material knits together to form a firmer surface than ordinary loose decorative gravel.

R. Exall & Sons has used Breedon gravel alongside granite setts, locally sourced sandstone, gates and landscaped areas to create an entrance that complemented a character property and its surroundings.

Another option is tar-and-shingle surfacing. Its textured stone finish can soften the appearance of a long driveway or private road while providing a practical bitumen-based surface.

Use Edging to Add Definition

Driveway edging has both a practical and decorative role.

Strong kerbs, setts or paving blocks support the perimeter of the surface while creating a neat division between the driveway and neighbouring lawns, paths or planting beds.

A contrasting border can also:

• Highlight the driveway entrance
• Define curves and parking areas
• Create a pathway to the front door
• Introduce colour around a tarmac surface
• Connect the driveway with existing brickwork
• Frame planting and landscaping features

Carefully chosen brickwork can be used for entrance piers, retaining walls, raised beds and other features that complement the driveway. R. Exall & Sons tailors its brickwork to the surrounding landscape while considering both appearance and structural performance.

Improve the Layout as Well as the Surface

Replacing a driveway is an opportunity to consider whether the existing layout makes the best use of the available space.

A redesigned entrance may provide:

• Additional parking
• Easier access to the garage
• A more convenient turning area
• Safer pedestrian access
• Better visibility at the road
• Clearer routes between the house and garden
• Space for new gates or entrance piers

The driveway should feel proportionate to the property. Removing too much garden may leave the frontage looking hard and exposed, while retaining suitable planting can soften the surface and create a more welcoming entrance.

A professional landscape design can consider the driveway alongside planting, hard-landscaping layouts, lighting, drainage and material selection.

Connect the Driveway with Paths and Entrances

The journey from the driveway to the front door is another important part of kerb appeal.

A clearly defined path can guide visitors towards the entrance while reducing the need to walk through parking areas. The same or a complementary material may be used to create visual continuity.

Professional paving installation can also improve:

• Front-door paths
• Steps
• Side access routes
• Courtyards
• Garage entrances
• Connections with garden areas

R. Exall & Sons provides paving services from initial design through to final installation for private and commercial properties across Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

Make Drainage Part of the Design

Puddles and overflowing drainage channels can quickly undermine the appearance of a newly installed driveway.

Correct surface levels should guide rainwater towards an appropriate outlet or permeable area. Depending on the site, the design may include channels, gullies, underground pipework or a permeable driveway construction.

Drainage should be planned before the surface is installed because it affects excavation, levels, edging and the position of surrounding features.

Professional groundworks provide the foundation for the completed driveway. They may include excavation, levelling, drainage and preparation before the visible surface is laid.

Keep the Finished Driveway Looking Smart

A new driveway will continue contributing to kerb appeal only if it is kept in good condition.

Routine care may include:

• Sweeping away leaves and soil
• Keeping drainage channels clear
• Removing weeds from edges
• Treating spills promptly
• Addressing cracks or loose areas
• Avoiding repeated vehicle movements over unsupported edges
• Cleaning the surface using an appropriate method

The maintenance required will vary according to the material. Block paving may need occasional joint maintenance, while tarmac should be checked for cracks and damaged edges. Resin bound, Breedon gravel and tar and shingle each have their own care requirements.

Selecting a surface that matches your maintenance preferences can help the frontage remain attractive over the longer term.

Why Professional Installation Matters

A driveway may look attractive immediately after installation, but its lasting appearance depends on the quality of the construction underneath.

Proper excavation, a suitable sub-base, thorough compaction, effective drainage and secure edging all help prevent sinking, movement and premature surface damage.

Professional installation also ensures that the driveway meets surrounding paths, gates, garages and pavements neatly.

Looking through completed driveway case studies can provide useful inspiration. R. Exall & Sons’ portfolio includes classic tarmac, resin-bound, tar-and-shingle and Breedon gravel projects designed to enhance the appearance and function of different properties.

Transform Your Property Entrance with R. Exall & Sons

Established in 1951, R. Exall & Sons provides driveway, surfacing, groundworks and landscaping services across Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

The family-run company can manage the complete project, from design and excavation to drainage, edging, paving and final surfacing. Its coordinated approach helps ensure the driveway is practical, durable and visually connected to the wider property.

To discuss a new driveway or wider transformation of your property entrance, contact R. Exall & Sons or call 01342 842208 to request advice and a quotation.