Thinking of paving your driveway? Or perhaps, planning to repave it to improve your home’s kerb appeal? For this kind of home improvement project, what you need to keep in mind is that picking the right kind of driveway paving material is important.
Why?
The material that you choose has an impact on the price, durability and aesthetics of your drive.
The good news is that there are many different types of finishes to choose from. Hence, it should not be difficult to find one that suits your budget and needs.
Types of Driveway Paving Materials
Here are some of the most common driveway paving materials:
Gravel
A gravel driveway is an excellent choice if you want something economical. Due to its affordability, it is highly recommended for long drives or big areas.
Another selling point of this type of finish is its durability. It can last up to 100 years with proper and regular maintenance. Depending on the climate in your area and the amount of traffic it gets, the drive needs to be regraded annually or biennially.
Another good thing about a gravel driveway is that fixing dips and holes is easy and cheap. It does not require massive repairs unlike concrete drives.
With this type of driveway surfacing solution, it would not be difficult to achieve the look that you want as gravel comes in different sizes and colours.
Tarmac
Another widely used driveway paving material is tarmac, also referred to as tarmacadam. This surfacing solution can be installed quickly as it dries fast with a cooling and hardening time of around five to eight hours. This means that the entire work can be done in just a day!
Moreover, since laying it does not require extensive work, the cost of installing this kind of driveway is cheaper as compared to others.
A tarmac driveway is highly durable and bound to last many decades. It is weather resistant making it the ideal material for places which get a lot of snow or rain. It is also resilient, able to withstand heavy weights which makes it perfect for high traffic driveways.
Tar and Chip
This paving material is highly recommended for those who want a driveway with an impressive and/or a unique finish. The stone chips are available in different sizes and colours so creating a bespoke driveway design is easily achievable.
While it is more expensive than gravel, this surfacing solution offers good value for money as it requires minimal upkeep. Whereas gravel driveways need to be regraded yearly, tar and chip drives can be resurfaced after 7 to 10 years.
Furthermore, as compared to concrete drives, tar and chip driveways are able to hide oil leaks better. They are also able to maintain their colourful finish for years even without treatment.
Concrete
This paving material is more expensive than gravel, tarmac and tar and chip. The more intricate or specialised the design you want, the higher your expense would be.
Despite the availability of cheaper alternatives, concrete remains to be a popular paving material because holds up well in any climate and requires very minimal upkeep. In addition, it can last many years for as long as professional driveway pavers install it.
It is also very versatile, enabling homeowners like you to achieve a variety of designs or looks. For example, by painting or stamping on it, you can mimic the appearance of natural stone without spending a lot.
Choosing the Right Driveway Paving Material
So, which surfacing solution is best for your driveway? Well, the answer would depend on different factors.
For one, you need to consider what your budget is. Remember, the longer your driveway, the higher the cost. If you are budget-conscious, one good way of reducing your expense is to go for cheap material.
You also have to determine what your end goal is. What is your top priority – aesthetics or utility? If curb appeal is number one on your list, then you have to pick a surfacing material that is going to help you achieve the look that you want.
Another thing you need to consider is the upkeep. As you already probably know, some types of driveways demand regular maintenance. If you go for these kinds of drives, make sure you have the time and money to keep it in tiptop condition.
In conclusion, do not simply choose a paving material because of its appearance. Make sure you take into consideration critical factors like cost, durability and practicality. This is the only way to ensure that you get a driveway that is worth your money.
What driveway paving material is best for your property? Let our experienced driveway pavers help you choose! Call us now on 0852139591!
