This guide uses facts already published on the RKG site: material samples brought to site visits, resin aggregate options, block paving supplier ranges, shingle colours, coloured tarmac choices, edge restraints, drainage checks and fixed written quotes.
Quick answer
Compare driveway samples outside, next to the brickwork, render, walls, kerbs and existing paving. Check the main surface colour, border treatment, drainage detail and maintenance expectations together rather than choosing from a single close-up sample.
What to compare during a driveway sample visit
| Choice | Published RKG examples | What to check on site |
|---|---|---|
| Resin aggregate | Cotswold buff, silver birch, bronze blend and custom blends, with 20+ aggregate colours available. | Hold samples against brick, render and kerbs; ask whether a standard or premium/custom blend affects the quote. |
| Block paving | Marshalls, Brett, Bradstone and Tobermore ranges, with classic or contemporary patterns. | Compare main block, border block and laying pattern together; ask how edge restraints and drainage will be finished. |
| Shingle and gravel | Cotswold buff, golden flint, grey slate and plum slate over membrane and edging. | Check colour against the property and ask whether stabilising grids or firmer edging are needed for daily parking. |
| Tarmac finish | Black hot-rolled tarmac, red/green/buff coloured tarmac, surface dressing and tarmac with block-paved trim. | Decide whether a plain hard-wearing finish or a block border better suits the house and driveway shape. |
| Drainage and borders | RKG's planning and drainage guides cover permeable surfaces, falls, borders, channel drains, soakaways and French drains. | Make sure colour choices do not hide an unresolved drainage route, threshold issue or loose edge. |
Surface-by-surface notes
Resin bound
RKG's resin page says the resin is clear and the aggregate creates the look. It lists Cotswold buff, silver birch, bronze blend and custom blends, and says samples are carried to site visits so they can be held next to brickwork before committing.
Block paving
Block paving can change character through colour, border and laying pattern. The services hub references Marshalls, Brett, Bradstone and Tobermore ranges, so the useful question is not just "which block?" but which main block, which border and which pattern.
Shingle
Published shingle options include Cotswold buff, golden flint, grey slate and plum slate. Because shingle is loose, colour choice should be considered alongside membrane, edging and whether stabilising grids are needed.
Tarmac
Tarmac is often chosen for strength and clean daily use. RKG also lists coloured tarmac and a tarmac field with block-paved trim, which can soften the look without moving to a full block-paved driveway.
Questions to ask before choosing a colour
- Can the sample be checked outside in normal daylight, not just indoors?
- Does it work with the house brick, render, roofline, walls and neighbouring surfaces?
- Will the border be the same material, a contrasting block, a kerb or a hidden edge restraint?
- Does the colour choice change price, availability or installation timing?
- Does the surface still fit the drainage, access, levels and sub-base requirements found during the measured visit?
Related RKG guides
For surface trade-offs, compare resin vs block paving, tarmac vs resin and block paving vs shingle. If water management is the deciding factor, use the permeable driveway options guide and driveway drainage guide before picking the final finish.