Before you set out to plan your residential driveway in your new home or upgrade your existing one, it helps to do your homework. Driveway paving is not a DIY job. It needs experienced professionals to do it well. It requires thorough knowledge of construction materials that range from concrete, cement and asphalt to cobblestone. To choose the best material for your residential driveway, learn a bit about the advantages and disadvantages of each and why homeowners prefer asphalt over the others.
Asphalt Residential Driveways
On the flip side, asphalt is high maintenance. Over time, they have a tendency to crack. What is required to keep it in good condition is regular sealing. This may cost you a fair amount but if it’s not done on time, the costs for repairing your driveway are higher.
On the bright side, asphalt is less prone to frost damage than concrete. It is easy to remove snow and ice from the surface. Repair work is cheaper and easier to install than concrete, it can be re-layered unlike concrete and looks pleasing to the eyes.
Concrete Residential Driveways
Concrete driveways come in a wide variety of options because they can be easily coloured and stamped to enhance their appearance, just like asphalt, but concrete costs less initially. The variety of designs in asphalt is more limited than concrete. In severe winter, frost and snow can weigh heavier on concrete than asphalt. While asphalt can be re-layered, concrete cannot. But like asphalt, concrete needs frequent resealing to last in good condition long-term, so regular inspection and maintenance are important.
Cobblestones and Others
Cobblestones and other driveway pavers come with their own advantages and disadvantages. They are durable, aesthetic and easy to repair but the biggest disadvantage about a cobblestone driveway is the uneven surface. This makes snow removal more challenging.
There’s an attractive range of cobblestone pavers that range from broad hexagonal to small rectangular brick pavers and cobblestones that creates a classic, rustic, old world charm. If you have a brick house, brick pavers blend with the look seamlessly.
Cobblestone pavers do not crack as frequently as asphalt and concrete do. They are synonymous with longevity. If they do happen to break or dislodge, replacing them is easy because this can be done individually instead of replacing the entire driveway. Such durability, aesthetics and easy maintenance naturally comes at a price. Cobblestone costs more than asphalt and concrete installations.
Cement Driveways
Cement driveways are essentially concrete structures that are held together by cement. Concrete and cement driveways are one and the same for all practical understanding. It requires regular sealing, repair, snow removal and landscaping to increase aesthetic appeal. Snow-melting technology can be installed on your cement driveway to make frost removal easier but shovelling works just as well on the flat surface. But cleaning is a necessity. Oil, grease, rust, tire marks and mildew can dull the shine of concrete and cement over time. Although they look impressive when new, time can take its toll later, which is why regular maintenance is integral to their usage.
To select the right material, installation costs and maintenance plan, it is essential to choose experienced contractors who have the advantage of buying in bulk to reduce costs for their consumers. Professional contractors also know how to reduce puddles and snow build-up up on asphalt and concrete by allowing water run-off on a sloped construction.
West York Paving – Awarded for Our Unwavering Commitment to Quality
Give us a call when your driveway needs to be fixed or replaced. We will conduct a free assessment and quote and use the highest quality materials to provide outstanding services that have won us recognition and awards. You can trust us to get the job done right the very first time, at the right price.