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Showing posts from July, 2021

Our guide to Resin Bound stone surfaces

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Lots of housing projects in Edinburgh these days are going for resin bound stone surfaces over other materials. The practice of building surfaces using paver blocks or concrete is on its way out. Instead, resin has emerged as a favoured choice as it lends itself well to creating efficient driveways, gardens, and paths. Resin surfaces are also known to be easy on the eyes, low on maintenance, and last for a long time.   Resin bound stone – What is it & where is it used? Resin bound gravel involves mixing resin and natural stone together before laying the mixture over a primed surface, where it’s then trowelled to attain a level and smooth finish. Upon completion, resin bound surfaces have a depth ranging from 12 to 24mm. The exact depth varies as per the intended use and the type and size of the stone used for the process.   People are often confused between resin bound surfacing and resin bonded surfacing because of the similar sound of their names. In resin bond...

Make an Entrance – Hallmark Driveways

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First impressions count! We’ve got some great ideas on how to improve your entrance.   As our attention turns to summer and getting outdoors, we start to think about getting the driveway and garden ready. This normally focuses on the back garden, however don’t forget the front garden! This is the first impression of your property, so whether you are looking to sell your home or enjoy the space yourself here are some ideas to improve your entrance way.   KISS – Keep It Super Simple Planting to frame a driveway or as a finishing touch really enhances a front entrance. Make sure you keep it simple – by choosing just a few varieties of plant rather than lots of different ones, and anchoring the whole scheme with some new trees, the planting becomes more of a feature and draws your eye to the planting rather than the driveway itself.   Be inviting Make your entrance inviting using big planters filled with lots of seasonal flowers and foliage either side of the ...

Repair vs Replacement – Our Guide

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Your driveway may not be something that you think about on a daily basis, however, it is undeniably an essential part of your home. Driveways enable access the garage, offers space for parking and provides an even surface for your family to engage in outdoor activities; like football in the garden and family barbeques. Also, a driveway completed to our highest of standards adds further aesthetic appeal to your home.   If your driveway has seen better days, you may have to decide whether you want to repair or replace it. But how do you decide? Repair vs replacement? No matter which option you are going for, it is not going to be cheap. Hallmark Driveways can offer professional advice and aid in fixing any issue. To help you make a decision, here are a few things that you need to consider:   Repair vs Replacement: The Age of Your Driveway Driveways typically last for approximately 20 years. This means that if your driveway is over or is almost 20 years old, then you sh...

Improving the periphery of your home – Our Guide

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Your home is one of your most prized possessions. Therefore, it’s only natural that you want to make it look and feel amazing. When it comes to decoration and redesigning, most people will think of the interior and exterior of their homes. While these are essential parts of a residence, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of the periphery of the entire property.   As you walk up the driveway, you should be able to see every beautiful element of your home – the garden, the deck, and the patio. If you’re looking to revamp your home and make it into something extraordinary, here are four ways to do just that:   Use Fencing Options that Align with Your Needs When someone visits your home, the very first thing they will be able to see is your fence. This makes the fence an incredibly important part of your home, as it will be one of the areas to establish a good first impression. You want to choose a fence that fits both the look and the intended purpose of your home. ...

Driveway Maintenance – Our Guide

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 Concrete Driveway Maintenance The key to keeping your concrete driveway looking great is with cleaning and sealing it on a regular basis.   Sealing: Concrete driveways should be sealed about every 2 years or when you notice that the finish is starting to show signs of wear. This is assuming your driveway is used for normal everyday traffic and you do not live in an area with overly severe weather. If your concrete drive is at a business, you may need to seal more often. There are many good sealers on the market and you can find them at any big box home improvement store.   Cleaning: How often your concrete driveway needs to be cleaned primarily depends on the amount of traffic it receives and what type of vehicles are parked on it. Obviously, any fluid leaks should be cleaned up immediately because it can seep into the concrete and discolor it and break it down from the bottom up. Here is a full tutorial from Lowes on how to clean your concrete driveway. ...

Our guide to Resin Bound stone surfaces

Image
Lots of housing projects in Edinburgh these days are going for resin bound stone surfaces over other materials. The practice of building surfaces using paver blocks or concrete is on its way out. Instead, resin has emerged as a favoured choice as it lends itself well to creating efficient driveways, gardens, and paths. Resin surfaces are also known to be easy on the eyes, low on maintenance, and last for a long time.   Resin bound stone – What is it & where is it used? Resin bound gravel involves mixing resin and natural stone together before laying the mixture over a primed surface, where it’s then trowelled to attain a level and smooth finish. Upon completion, resin bound surfaces have a depth ranging from 12 to 24mm. The exact depth varies as per the intended use and the type and size of the stone used for the process.   People are often confused between resin bound surfacing and resin bonded surfacing because of the similar sound of their names. In resin bond...

Make an Entrance – Hallmark Driveways

Image
First impressions count! We’ve got some great ideas on how to improve your entrance.   As our attention turns to summer and getting outdoors, we start to think about getting the driveway and garden ready. This normally focuses on the back garden, however don’t forget the front garden! This is the first impression of your property, so whether you are looking to sell your home or enjoy the space yourself here are some ideas to improve your entrance way.   KISS – Keep It Super Simple Planting to frame a driveway or as a finishing touch really enhances a front entrance. Make sure you keep it simple – by choosing just a few varieties of plant rather than lots of different ones, and anchoring the whole scheme with some new trees, the planting becomes more of a feature and draws your eye to the planting rather than the driveway itself.   Be inviting Make your entrance inviting using big planters filled with lots of seasonal flowers and foliage either side of the ...

Repair vs Replacement – Our Guide

Image
Your driveway may not be something that you think about on a daily basis, however, it is undeniably an essential part of your home. Driveways enable access the garage, offers space for parking and provides an even surface for your family to engage in outdoor activities; like football in the garden and family barbeques. Also, a driveway completed to our highest of standards adds further aesthetic appeal to your home.   If your driveway has seen better days, you may have to decide whether you want to repair or replace it. But how do you decide? Repair vs replacement? No matter which option you are going for, it is not going to be cheap. Hallmark Driveways can offer professional advice and aid in fixing any issue. To help you make a decision, here are a few things that you need to consider:   Repair vs Replacement: The Age of Your Driveway Driveways typically last for approximately 20 years. This means that if your driveway is over or is almost 20 years old, then you sh...

Improving the periphery of your home – Our Guide

Image
 Your home is one of your most prized possessions. Therefore, it’s only natural that you want to make it look and feel amazing. When it comes to decoration and redesigning, most people will think of the interior and exterior of their homes. While these are essential parts of a residence, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of the periphery of the entire property.   As you walk up the driveway, you should be able to see every beautiful element of your home – the garden, the deck, and the patio. If you’re looking to revamp your home and make it into something extraordinary, here are four ways to do just that:   Use Fencing Options that Align with Your Needs When someone visits your home, the very first thing they will be able to see is your fence. This makes the fence an incredibly important part of your home, as it will be one of the areas to establish a good first impression. You want to choose a fence that fits both the look and the intended purpose of your h...

Driveway Maintenance – Our Guide

Image
Concrete Driveway Maintenance The key to keeping your concrete driveway looking great is with cleaning and sealing it on a regular basis.   Sealing: Concrete driveways should be sealed about every 2 years or when you notice that the finish is starting to show signs of wear. This is assuming your driveway is used for normal everyday traffic and you do not live in an area with overly severe weather. If your concrete drive is at a business, you may need to seal more often. There are many good sealers on the market and you can find them at any big box home improvement store.   Cleaning: How often your concrete driveway needs to be cleaned primarily depends on the amount of traffic it receives and what type of vehicles are parked on it. Obviously, any fluid leaks should be cleaned up immediately because it can seep into the concrete and discolor it and break it down from the bottom up. Here is a full tutorial from Lowes on how to clean your concrete driveway.   B...