5 Need to Knows When Paving Your Driveway

Pavers are a versatile way to dress up the exterior of your home. Driveway paving is one of those ways to add both aesthetic and value to your home.

Pavers are the best option in terms of choice, cost, and durability and is an easy process to make a huge impact on the overall appearance of your driveway and functionality.

5 considerations when paving your driveway

For the best choice and results for your home consider this 5 need-to-knows when paving your driveway.

1. Types of pavers

The type and material of paver will affect the overall look as well as the performance of your driveway. If you are looking for more of a visual impact above anything, then paving stones and bricks are the way to go.

Interlocking concrete paving stones are great to look at and can be shaped into any design you can think of. Natural stone pavers add a sense of style and luxury and are a timeless finish for any residential or commercial driveway. Some other popular choices for driveway pavers include:

• Granite pavers: This durable raven granite rock is stylish to look at and is also hard-wearing, featuring a non-slip surface which makes it perfect for high-traffic surfaces such as the driveway. Due to its dark raven black color, these pavers don’t show up any dirt or imperfections and make for a great contrast that will stand the test of time.
• Bluestone pavers: Basalt pavers create elegant driveways and boast a premium finish that is durable and versatile. The benefit of bluestone pavers is that they can be designed to suit any driveway plan and come in a range of shapes and sizes to create the right look for your home’s entryway.

2. The design of your driveway

Before choosing the style and material of your pavers, consider the overall design that you envision for your driveway. Are you looking to pave an existing driveway, or will you be enhancing your home’s curb appeal with an entirely new design?

Have you considered the other elements in the environment that make up the hardscape design? Whether it’s modern, classic, streamlined, or a natural rugged look you’re wanting to achieve first consider the following:

• Are you looking for major curb appeal or ‘wow’ factor?
• The style and natural landscape of your house - you want your driveway paving to complement your existing house and its natural surrounds.
• Is aesthetic more important than durability or vice versa?
• How much maintenance is required and are you willing to put up with?

Paying attention to these details will ensure that your driveway won’t detract from your house or look out of place. The end result should be a paved driveway that enhances your property, which in turn, adds value to your home.

3. Durability

Because of the nature of driveways, the surface should be durable enough to withstand vehicle and foot traffic. Proper driveway pavers should be able to cope with wear and tear as well as potential spills and stains and be able to provide traction. If you reside in heavy rain or sleet area, then durability will be more paramount. Consider brick pavers, concrete pavers, or natural stone finishes that add further grip to provide a safer surface to walk and drive on.

4. Cost of paving a driveway

The cost of paving a driveway is usually dependent on size, materials used, and labor required - through this renovation calculator should give you a rough idea. Some paving materials are more expensive than others and require more upkeep.

Because driveways handle traffic, they must be durable to be cost-effective. In general, gravel or decomposed granite is the cheapest driveway paving option but they can break away without proper maintenance, especially in areas of heavy rainfall.

A stabilizer can be used to prolong the surface but of course, this can end up raising the cost. Asphalt is the second most affordable option and is strong & durable under a number of conditions.

The only downside is that many people don’t like the way it looks. Asphalt can be colored or patterned to create a more visually-pleasing look at an added cost. Concrete is a reasonable driveway paving option and is also very durable and requires little to no maintenance.

Since concrete can be at risk of cracking, it’s worth paying extra for a qualified contractor to ensure maximum longevity and quality. Lastly, natural stone pavers are the most aesthetic of paving options although it can come at a cost since they are installed by hand.

A paved natural stone driveway is a great investment though since this option is long-lasting and can survive wear & tear as well as being a versatile way of dressing up a plain driveway.

5. Installation

You can have driveway pavers installed in just a matter of days. Hiring a professional contractor will ensure your driveway is correctly installed from the ground up and will include installing a paving base.

The ground will be excavated and filled with bedding, driveway rubble and paving sand before the pavers are laid down. The proper prepping of the base is essential to ensuring the longevity of the driveway as well as its resistance to pressure and weather conditions.