Imprinted Concrete Driveways Coventry
Pattern imprinted concrete from £250 per m². The look of stone, brick or cobbles, with very little upkeep.
We are DNA Driveways Coventry, the driveway and paving side of DNA Landscapes. Imprinted concrete, also called pattern imprinted, printed or stamped concrete, gives you a decorative drive with the strength of concrete and no joints for weeds to grow in.
Patterns and colours
Imprinted concrete we have laid
Some of the most popular patterns are the most traditional. Cobble and sett patterns suit period houses, while flagstone, slate, tile and brickwork patterns can be laid in straight lines, curves or circles. Combined with a choice of colours and a contrasting border, it’s easy to avoid a me-too drive.
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Buff sett pattern with a contrasting border -
Brown flagstone pattern in a rear yard -
Patterned path beside the lawn
How it is made
Concrete, coloured and stamped
- Sub-base A compacted crushed-stone base, as for any concrete drive.
- Reinforcement A steel rebar grid laid on top for tensile strength.
- Pour The concrete is poured and levelled.
- Colour While it is still wet, a coloured hardener is worked into the surface.
- Stamp and seal The pattern is pressed in before it sets, then the drive is sealed.
Because it is laid as one solid slab, there are no joints between the “stones” for weeds to grow through. The only joints are the expansion joints that let the concrete move slightly in hot weather. We colour-match them as closely as we can, but they will still be visible on close inspection.
Know before you choose
The trade-offs
It needs drainage
Imprinted concrete is impermeable, so rain has to run somewhere. We lay it to fall to a channel drain, soakaway, lawn or border. Front drives over 5m² that drain onto the road would otherwise need planning permission.
Repairs need a pro
Because the colour and pattern are in the surface, damage can’t simply be patched DIY-style. Repairs are a job for us, and an exact colour match is never guaranteed.
It costs more than plain
Colour, stamping and sealing add to the cost of a plain concrete drive. In return you get kerb appeal with very little upkeep.
Guide price
What imprinted concrete costs
Our guide rate is £250 per m², based on a drive of around 40m². That puts a 40m² drive at roughly £10,000, with larger areas usually coming in lower per m².
Drainage is the biggest variable. Depending on your levels, channel drains or a soakaway may be needed so water isn’t left pooling by the car door. Edging, access and any dropped kerb also affect the price.
Aftercare
Looking after imprinted concrete
With no joints between the pattern, sweeping it clean is quick. Pay most attention to the expansion joints, so leaves and grit don’t build up and give weeds a foothold.
A pressure washer is fine if you keep the nozzle a sensible distance away and the pressure moderate, especially around the joints. To keep the colour rich and the surface protected, have it re-sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer about every four years.
Like the look of imprinted concrete? Tell us the style of your house and we’ll suggest patterns and colours to suit.
Questions
Imprinted concrete questions
How much does an imprinted concrete driveway cost?
Our guide rate is £250 per m², based on a drive of around 40m², so roughly £10,000 for 40m². Drainage, edging, access and any dropped kerb affect the final price.
Is imprinted concrete the same as pattern imprinted or stamped concrete?
Yes. Imprinted, pattern imprinted, printed, pressed, stamped and Crete Print are all names for the same thing: concrete that is coloured and stamped with a pattern before it sets.
Does imprinted concrete need drainage?
Yes. It is impermeable, so it has to fall towards a channel drain, soakaway, lawn or border. That also keeps a front drive over 5m² clear of the planning rule on surfaces that drain onto the road.
Do weeds grow through imprinted concrete?
There are no joints between the pattern for weeds to grow in. Only the expansion joints need watching, and keeping them clear of debris keeps weeds out.
How often does imprinted concrete need re-sealing?
About every four years, using a solvent-based acrylic sealer, to keep the colour strong and the surface protected.
Can an imprinted drive be repaired?
Yes, but it is a job for a professional rather than a DIY fix, because the colour and pattern are part of the surface. An exact colour match can’t be guaranteed.
Areas we cover
Imprinted concrete across Coventry and nearby towns
- Coventry
- Binley Woods
- Kenilworth
- Balsall Common
- Rugby
- Cawston
- Long Lawford
- Nuneaton
- Bedworth
- Bulkington
- Hinckley
Compare other surfaces
Get an imprinted concrete quote
Ring 0247 542 6111 to book a survey. We’ll check the levels and drainage and bring pattern and colour options to choose from.
