Choosing the best driveway material for your home can boost the value and curb appeal of the property.
According to Orange County Register, home owners are carefully choosing pavers and other driveway materials to make their homes more attractive and valuable. These include coatings and stains on concrete driveways, or courtyard driveways leading to the garages.
DRIVEWAY MATERIALS
Asphalt
Asphalt is 30% cheaper than concrete. Like concrete, asphalt can crack and fade and become discoloured and stained, but it’s less durable than concrete.
Concrete
An exposed-aggregate concrete driveway with stones and pebbles is a very affordable material. Stamped concrete is also cheap and can look like pavers, bricks or slate. Applying protective sealant will make it last longer than traditional concrete.
Gravel
A gravel driveway with a base resembling the appearance of a honeycomb will keep the gravel in place and not form grooves.
Pavers
Pavers are more affordable than natural stone and can look like stones, bricks and tiles. Tumbled pavers are perfect for creating an old, rustic appearance. Pavers can also last longer than other driveway materials and fit all types of homes. Any paving stones with oil stains can be replaced with new pavers easily.
‘Living’ Driveway
‘Living’ driveways have grass or vegetation between the concrete, plastic blocks or pavers. However, driveways with grass need regular weeding.
Permeable pavers, grass and gravel absorb water into the soil and prevent pollutants from entering oceans. Examples include driveways with intertwined pavers and a sand and gravel base, cross-hatched concrete driveways with grass growing inside it, or paved driveways with a grass strip down the middle.