The driveway is an important aspect of any property as it is the first thing people see when approaching your home or business. A driveway will often say volumes about you as an individual and family and the pride and effort you take in the landscape and exterior of your property. So, what is the best type of driveway to install?
Many driveway options are available, and choosing the most fitting one for your lifestyle and property can be difficult. We have listed several driveway alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages to help you decide on your driveway surface solution.
What Is The Best Type Of Driveway to Install?
Asphalt
The best choice to protect your property investment should provide safety, aesthetic, and lifespan benefits. An asphalt driveway surface will require professional assistance and maintenance, such as seal coating, every two to three years, but it provides all the mentioned benefits. It’s a stable and solid option at affordable rates for property owners.
This option is preferred for winter as it is easy to plow snow and has excellent traction benefits. This makes it a very safe and durable option. The challenge will be to guarantee you hire the best professional for the job. The best asphalt driveway installers provide the best materials and added options to protect your investment.
Sloped and curved driveway designs may challenge this surface type during heavy rainfall. This is remedied by installing professional drainage systems that steer stormwater into safe zones away from buildings and home structures.
Concrete
Among the most durable choices on the market is a concrete driveway surface. Although it offers a rigid and stable surface, it depends on professional installation, high upfront costs, maintenance, and weather conditions. This surface is undoubtedly strong, but heavy use and winter freeze-thaw cycles will lead to severe crackling and potholes.
Durability always depends on how it’s used and under what conditions. A driveway with potholes and cracks can be unsafe and unattractive, reducing the overall value of your investment in the long run. It’s important to hire a professional to install concrete. Installing it correctly from the start is the best way to ensure it lasts. While concrete might be good for plowing snow, fixing cracks and potholes can get expensive because it requires heavy equipment and labor.
Gravel
When searching for the cheapest driveway surface option, gravel or aggregate may be the way for you. Since you are searching for something durable, you need a surface that you won’t have to resurface and is always safe for your guests and family. Although gravel is easy to apply and budget for your plans, there are better options than gravel when seeking a well-finished driveway that will last without heavy maintenance and is sustainable under every weather condition.
This is feasible if you like to do things yourself and live in a hot region year-round. However, we don’t recommend gravel for areas that experience harsh winter conditions, such as heavy rain, ice, and snow; drainage must be extremely well-designed, and snow plowing will substantially damage the integrity of the surface. This type of surface makes it hard to develop value for your property investment, and certain Homeowners’ Association (HOA) laws or requirements may not allow it in your area.
Pavers
Another highly durable driveway option is the use of paver stones. Although it includes high upfront and maintenance costs, this option does offer durability and great aesthetic benefits. The value of your investment is highly dependent on its maintenance and professional installation.
There may be better surfaces for those living in areas where it snows. Its slippery nature makes it difficult to plow and unsafe. Like other surfaces mentioned previously, we recommend effective stormwater drainage systems and waterproofing, as this prevents rainfall from penetrating your building structure.
This is a highly attractive option due to its aesthetic appeal and strong surface, but it is less attractive for larger driveway projects, as it may run up your budget. Therefore, our professionals recommend combining it with other durable driveway surface options when planning the design and installation.
Oil and Stone
Oil and stone, or chip and tar, is a mix between gravel and a blacktop surface. When the driveway area has been prepped, a coat of hot oil is applied using a special sprayer attachment. Then, natural stone is installed (raked by hand) over the hot oil, creating a bond that holds the stone in place. A roller compacts the stone for more strength. It should be noted that stone driveways have a rough appearance. Some stones do not touch the oil, so there will be movement on the surface. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the stone in the driveway.
Oil and stone driveways are economical but not the most durable type. The oil coating will probably help them last longer than gravel driveways. However, because the stones often work their way loose, they won’t hold up as well as an asphalt surface.
What to Ask Yourself When You Want a New Driveway
·How much traffic does the driveway get? The more vehicles that travel across your driveway, the more you should consider durability.
·What size and shape do you want the driveway to be? Installation costs can increase if your driveway is odd or if hilly spots need to be flattened.
·How important is your driveway’s appearance? Is a simple concrete or asphalt surface sufficient? Or do you want special features like colored concrete or decorative pavers?
·Do you plan to do it yourself, or do you prefer to hire a contractor? DIY efforts can be time-consuming and are probably best done if you have experience laying driveways and are doing something simple rather than complex.
·What is the climate where you live? The elements impact a driveway, and surface materials vary in durability when exposed to snow, ice, and excessive heat.
·Is this driveway for a residential or commercial property? Commercial properties typically get much more traffic and have other specialty concerns.
Why Is Concrete the Best Type of Driveway?
Cost
The price of installing a concrete driveway is more competitive than that of other materials like interlock pavers.
Low Maintenance
Concrete needs virtually low to no maintenance, which saves both money and time in the long run. It can last over 20 years, and weeds won’t grow on the paved area.
Durability
Concrete is known as one of the most durable landscaping materials, capable of withstanding more damage and use than other options. Concrete can absorb all the abuse in high-traffic areas like driveways and front entrances without indicating its frequent use. If concrete is properly installed, it can last 20+ years.
Appearance
Concrete creates a smooth, sleek look (whether regular concrete or exposed aggregate concrete) without frequent maintenance. It’s an excellent choice to boost curb appeal and make a strong impression on guests and visitors.
Customizable
You can customize your landscape to your heart’s content with a wide range of color palettes and endless pattern, shape, and texture possibilities.
Summer & Winter Friendly
If you have a light-colored concrete surface, it won’t get too hot when the summer sun is blazing, which is great for folks who like to go barefoot. In winter, snow can be shoveled off concrete driveways without much trouble.
Ready For A New Driveway? Proper Installation Is Vital
If a friend or neighbor has complained regarding the quality of their driveway, it may need to be installed correctly. That’s too bad since a quality installation using top-of-the-line materials is one of the best driveway options.
An unqualified contractor can do many things wrong that will influence the look and performance of your driveway.
We at Shilling Excavation can help you design your ideal driveway. Our crew can help you choose the best driveway materials to ensure that you have a durable, safe, and aesthetically-pleasing driveway.
