Driveway Paving Materials and Designs
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| Asphalt Driveway | Concrete Driveway | Brick Driveway | Gravel Driveway | Stone Driveway |
Each type of material has specific uses and maintenance requirements. Though the basic purpose of the drive is to facilitate access to the house, garage or parking apron, there are aesthetic and financial considerations as well. A nicely designed and executed driveway adds to the appearance and value of the property where it is installed.
Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt driveway finish has low initial cost. Must be sealed annually to prevent moisture penetration and freeze-thaw problems. Decorative borders will enhance the driveway appearance. Easy to maintain, patch and repair. Some negative reaction to gas, oil and other vehicular fluids contamination.
Concrete Driveway
Concrete driveway finish cost is moderate compared to other finish materials. Should be sealed periodically to prevent moisture penetration. Easy to maintain but harder to patch and repair. May be textured, aggregated or stenciled in a variety of designs and colors. If a decorative surface is desired, but the material and installation cost of pavers or bricks are prohibitive, the stenciled concrete alternative may be the answer to either a new driveway or refurbishing an existing concrete driveway.
Decorative Driveway
Using a polymerized white Portland cement mixture and a special resin-hardener along with various colorants, the concrete surface may be made to look like brick, pavers, aggregate, fieldstone or cobblestone in any pattern desired. After a sealer is applied the resulting substrate is very hard, durable, attractive and only slightly more costly than the concrete alone. Long-wearing and attractive.
Brick Driveway
Brick driveway finish cost more for both material and labor. Attractive, but the choice of materials and the underlay must be able to support the vehicle weight. Requires much more maintenance than poured surfaces, but is easier to replace individual damaged blocks or bricks.
Gravel Driveway
Gravel driveway cost is the least expensive. Should have some containment to minimize the loss of material from vehicular traffic. Weed and grass growth are a problem, as will be leaf and snow removal.
Driveway Designs
Driveways come in assorted sizes, shapes, materials and finishes. The driveway design and what they are made from is dependent upon the personal preferences of the homeowner, the usage of the driveway, maintenance and weather considerations. Should the driveway circle past the front of the house allowing ease of entry and exit, should it proceed directly to the garage, should it provide a parking apron as well as egress to the garage? All of these questions and many more are considerations when contemplating a new driveway.
Choosing Paving Material
Choosing driveway paving material is an important part of the decision in driveway construction. Regardless of the type of driveway, the design and the materials chosen, a driveway construction is not for the do-it-yourself job. Unless they have both the expertise and the specialized equipment necessary to complete the task, a driveway project should be left to the professionals.