How easy is it to match old and new driveway pavers?

Hi Tim

There could be some truth in what your friend's been told.

It's very difficult to match the colour and texture of materials - even if they are supposed to be exactly the same - when there's been such a time gap.

However, having said that, it's not unknown for a contractor to try and fob off a client by trying to convinced them that a particular material is a match to the original, when in fact it isn't.

Given the length of time that's elapsed I'd say it would be a tricky task to get a complete match because it's possible manufacturing processes and colour dyes could have changed too.

The only way your question could be answered accurately is if you obtained a series of photos or a video showing close-ups of the drive and the material and ask members to have a look.

I'd understand if you didn't wish to do this in the open forum so I'm happy to help evaluate or you can ask a few members to help you via email.

Hope this helps?

Thanks, Phil.

I will see if I can get some photos for you to have a look at.

Philip Voice said:

Hi Tim

There could be some truth in what your friend's been told.

It's very difficult to match the colour and texture of materials - even if they are supposed to be exactly the same - when there's been such a time gap.

However, having said that, it's not unknown for a contractor to try and fob off a client by trying to convinced them that a particular material is a match to the original, when in fact it isn't.

Given the length of time that's elapsed I'd say it would be a tricky task to get a complete match because it's possible manufacturing processes and colour dyes could have changed too.

The only way your question could be answered accurately is if you obtained a series of photos or a video showing close-ups of the drive and the material and asked members to have a look.

I'd understand if you didn't wish to do this in the open forum so I'm happy to help evaluate or you can ask a few members to help you via email.

Hope this helps?

Replies

PRO

Phil Voice September 22, 2011 at 4:32pm

Hi Tim

There could be some truth in what your friend's been told.

It's very difficult to match the colour and texture of materials - even if they are supposed to be exactly the same - when there's been such a time gap.

However, having said that, it's not unknown for a contractor to try and fob off a client by trying to convinced them that a particular material is a match to the original, when in fact it isn't.

Given the length of time that's elapsed I'd say it would be a tricky task to get a complete match because it's possible manufacturing processes and colour dyes could have changed too.

The only way your question could be answered accurately is if you obtained a series of photos or a video showing close-ups of the drive and the material and ask members to have a look.

I'd understand if you didn't wish to do this in the open forum so I'm happy to help evaluate or you can ask a few members to help you via email.

Hope this helps?
Tim Wettone September 22, 2011 at 4:56pm

Thanks, Phil.

I will see if I can get some photos for you to have a look at.

Philip Voice said:

Hi Tim

There could be some truth in what your friend's been told.

It's very difficult to match the colour and texture of materials - even if they are supposed to be exactly the same - when there's been such a time gap.

However, having said that, it's not unknown for a contractor to try and fob off a client by trying to convinced them that a particular material is a match to the original, when in fact it isn't.

Given the length of time that's elapsed I'd say it would be a tricky task to get a complete match because it's possible manufacturing processes and colour dyes could have changed too.

The only way your question could be answered accurately is if you obtained a series of photos or a video showing close-ups of the drive and the material and asked members to have a look.

I'd understand if you didn't wish to do this in the open forum so I'm happy to help evaluate or you can ask a few members to help you via email.

Hope this helps?
Simon Smith September 22, 2011 at 5:31pm

I have found that when joining old and new concrete paving especially tegula type blocks it helps to spread sand and plate the old ones too, it's not mircalulous by any means but it seems to bring them up a little bit.
Colin Hunt September 22, 2011 at 5:34pm

Red blocks do fade, especially after 15 years and the contrast with new would be stark. Selecting a sample paver is dangerous as individual blocks vary greatly in a batch of brindle or autumn mix, for example. I reckon the contractor has offered something like these to get more of a blend. Pavers do become pitted with age and some of the aggregate becomes exposed - especially if they have been pressure washed occasionally.
PRO

Phil Voice September 22, 2011 at 5:36pm

Having now seen a photo of the existing drive with the newer spliced in extension, I'd say the pavers are not the same. I've suggested to Tim he gets further opinions from other LJN members via email
POC Landscaping September 22, 2011 at 8:15pm

It's just not possible to accuratley match for all the reasons already listed. Weathered is very hard to replicate. Could lift the entire drive and re-lay it mixing the old and new paving?

There are companies that offer a 'brick tinting' service for brickwork with excellent results, not sure how the 'tint' would hold up on driveway paviors though?

Rgds
Paul @ POC Landscaping