A new driveway and garden retaining walls add street appeal and real value to a 1950s home

The new second story extension at the Green's Rosanna home made a world of difference, allowing room to move for a growing family.

But something was missing. The old twin-strip concrete driveway with its sunken, exposed edges just didn't look right. The solution?

Step One: an attractive, new, clay-paved driveway. The Greens chose Austral Bricks' Profile Cream clay pavers to contrast with their dark red/blue clinker bricks, while respecting the house's architectural heritage. Edge strips of Austral Brick' Victoria Blue clay pavers assist the transition from clinker to cream.

The clay pavers are laid in a thin mortar bed on a new concrete base. Narrow (2 to 3 mm) mortar-filled gaps separate the pavers. This is an ideal system for sloping driveways. The Greens chose a herringbone pattern from the many patterns achievable with clay pavers.

Step Two: The Greens are thrilled with their new clay-paved driveway, but those unattractive exposed garden edges make gardening a challenge. What's needed are low walls to retain the soil on both sides of the driveway and create a series of terraces for planting.

The answer is Austral Bricks Linkwall retaining wall blocks, available in six styles and five colours. The Greens chose compact 'Kensington' blocks in Desert Fawn to complement their cream clay pavers.

Modular Linkwall blocks are easy to work with and can be laid in curves and straight sections. They are specially engineered to retain high loads without pins, mortar or reinforcement. And being solid concrete, they last and last.

The new retaining walls and terraces add the finishing touch, complementing the Green's renovations and adding solid value to the property.

The handsome new driveway sweeps down to the street. The Linkwall capping course makes a handy seat for the Green Family.

Step One: Driveway

Before: The old twin concrete driveway strips have been replaced with a single concrete base for the clay pavers.

 

Step 01: Lay edge bands of dark blue clay pavers side-by-side in a mortar bed, then lay the body of cream clay pavers, again in mortar.

 

Step 02: Bands and diamonds break up the long driveway.

 

Step 03: The driveway levels out leading to the garage.

 

Step 04: Sweep a mortar slurry into the paver gaps.

 

Step 05: While still wet, sponge excess mortar off the pavers.

 

Step Two: Garden retaining walls

Step 01: Excavate a series of narrow, level trenches along both edges.

 

Step 02: Compact and level a bed of crushed rock and lay the first row (or course) of Linkwall blocks.

 

Step 03: Position additional blocks to lay subsequent courses.

 

Step 04: The rear lip on the bottom of each block locks into the block below.

 

Step 5: Continuously check levels.

 

Step 6: Linkwall blocks are easily arranged in curves.