Every Avant Gardens driveway follows this exact specification — designed by Sean Mark Smyth BA (Hons) and used exclusively by our team. No sub-contractors. No shortcuts.
Total transparency builds lasting trust. Below you'll find the precise process, materials and standards we apply to every driveway — from a small front drive in Childwall to a sweeping estate entrance in Formby.
No hidden extras. The quote you receive is the price you pay — no last-minute additions.
Every operative on your job is directly employed by Avant Gardens & Driveways.
All workmen arrive in uniform and adhere to our strict code of conduct on site.
Over 30 years of experience, an extensive portfolio and an unflinching commitment to quality.
A long-lasting driveway starts with what's beneath the surface. We invest heavily in preparation so the finished surface performs for decades.
Site excavation is carried out with a JCB to approximately 250mm (10 inches) depth. All spoil is removed using Hi-Ab wagons, leaving your property clear.
The sub-base is installed in two separate layers, each individually compacted. This creates a significantly stronger base than a single-pour approach.
Shuttering is installed across the entire site and secured with metal pins, ensuring an even concrete depth and eliminating weak spots.
A polythene layer sits on top of the sub-base below the concrete slab — preventing rising damp from attacking the acrylic sealer and stopping the concrete from drying out too rapidly in summer.
Construction cross-section — actual depths
The concrete pour, colouring and imprinting is a time-critical operation completed by our experienced team in a single session — this is where your driveway comes to life.
We pour at 125mm (5 inches) depth using our patented concrete mix — minimum 320 kg of cement per m³, fibre-reinforced and with air-entraining agents for freeze-thaw resistance and long-term durability.
All concrete is pre-mixed and supplied by an accredited QSRMC supplier, guaranteeing absolute consistency and the highest quality product on every job.
Wall gels cover all brickwork; plastic sheeting protects your house and all adjacent paved areas throughout the entire pour process.
Once on site the concrete is levelled, coloured, released and printed within a precise 3–5 hour window. This demands a highly skilled and well-coordinated team — one of the most demanding aspects of the entire process.
After curing 2–3 days, we clean with a high-powered jet wash and release-agent chemical, followed by an acid wash. This removes residue and gives the concrete a mechanical key so the sealer bonds properly — preventing future flaking.
Expansion joints and control joints are cut to accommodate natural concrete movement and prevent surface cracking over time.
A base coat primer soaks into the surface for a mechanical bond. The acrylic top coat is then applied in your chosen finish — Mat, Gloss or High Gloss — with anti-slip agent added as standard on all new drives and re-seals.
Installation day follows a precise, time-sensitive sequence. Here's exactly what our team does from the moment the concrete arrives on site.
QSRMC pre-mixed concrete is delivered. Wall gels and sheeting are already in place. The 3–5 hour clock starts now.
Concrete is levelled to exact depth across the site. Colour hardener is broadcast evenly over the surface.
Release agent is applied across the surface — this prevents stamps sticking and creates the two-tone aged look of the finished driveway.
Pattern stamps are pressed into the concrete within the critical window. Too early or too late and the impression won't hold — this is why an experienced team matters.
After curing (2–3 days, longer in cold weather), the surface is jet washed, acid washed and expansion joints are cut.
Mechanical prime coat soaks in, followed by your chosen acrylic top coat finish with anti-slip agent added as standard. Your driveway is complete.
An imprinted concrete driveway requires very little maintenance — but following these simple guidelines will keep it looking exceptional for years to come.
Do not drive on your new driveway for 28 days to allow full concrete strength to develop.
A further coat of sealer is recommended after the first twelve months for maximum protection.
Re-seal every 2 to 4 years to maintain colour depth and long-term surface protection.
We handle the scheduling for you — ask about our automatic 3-year re-seal plan when you book.
Best-in-class products on every job: All colours, release agents and sealers used by Avant Gardens & Driveways are the very best on the market — the same premium specification applied every time, on every job.
This full job specification and procedure has been designed and written by Mr Sean Mark Smyth BA (Hons) and is used exclusively by Avant Gardens & Driveways. We are award-winning concrete imprinting specialists with over 30 years of experience and an unflinching commitment to excellent service and top-quality work.
Superior Quality — Competitively Priced
Call 0800 458 0139 for a Free SurveyServing Liverpool, Merseyside and surrounding areas. Our surveyor will visit, assess your driveway and provide a transparent, fixed-price proposal with no obligation.