Whether you'll want to install a driveway on the new home, or you should replace your existing driveway, you are probably wondering which material is the most suitable. I am sure you did a little homework and have in mind the three common materials employed in construction, but are you alert to the benefits and problems that are associated with each? Depending on your allowance, tolerance for maintenance, and climate you will want to consider each driveway material carefully.
Concrete driveways, asphalt driveways, and brick or pavers would be the three most common types of residential driveways. If your first concern may be the cost then you can certainly always opt for gravel. But if you reside in a suburban community, that you will find to install one of many other three types.
Asphalt driveways are cheaper than concrete and pavers. When budget is a primary concern, many homeowners go for asphalt. Asphalt driveways typically last around twenty years and might be resurfaced. Repairs may also be easy to make. Asphalt driveways do present some problems though. They are not as durable being a concrete driveway, they're able to get softer in high heat climates, and so they must be resealed every three to five years.
Driveways constructed of pavers or bricks are incredibly beautiful. However, their beauty comes with a exorbitant cost. Paver driveways are more durable than asphalt driveways nonetheless they too use a few downfalls. Price is the reason homeowners choose not to use bricks or pavers of their driveway construction. Also, in extreme cold and freezing, water could possibly get in the seams involving the masonry and cause cracking or breaking. If the driveway was poorly installed, it might start to warp and weeds may begin to grow relating to the bricks.
Concrete driveways will be more expensive than asphalt, but cheaper than brick driveways. Concrete is often a popular choice among homeowners for a number of reasons. First of all they are incredibly durable and require almost no maintenance. When installed properly and sealed occasionally, they're able to last up to 50 years. Concrete can provide homeowners with additional versatile design choices.
For example, concrete might be either stained, painted, or have color added to them when these are installed. This allows homeowners to essentially get creative with their concrete sidewalks. Another benefit is that it can even be stamped. This means that design patterns for example bricks or stone may be stamped into the wet concrete before it dries. Once it has dried, a stamped concrete driveway will offer the look of a paver or stone driveway at a lower cost. Concrete does possess a couple of issues though. They are also susceptible to cracking in cold temperatures, can stain easy, which enable it to be expensive to fix. That being said, concrete provide most durable and versatile solution.