You're tired of driving across what feels like Swiss cheese to get to your home. Your driveway is long overdue for repairs, so you have decided you're finally going to upgrade it.
You're in good company. Research shows that people in Canada are investing in renovating their homes at higher rates than ever since the COVID pandemic.
However, before you replace or install a driveway, you need to factor in looks, maintenance, cost, and durability. Here's a rundown on the top driveway materials to choose from for your project, as well as the various driveway materials' pros and cons.
Let's dig in!
Top Driveway Materials Include Concrete
If you're looking for the best driveway material for your needs, you generally can't go wrong with concrete.
Concrete is formed by mixing gravel aggregate, sand, powdered cement, and water. The wet mix is then poured between forms and allowed to harden.
This concrete stands out for its unparalleled durability compared with other paving surfaces.
Although you may be attempted to install a concrete driveway yourself, this is a job that's best left to a professional. That's because the process of installing this type of driveway is very labour intensive.
Concrete driveways tend to be more expensive than other types of driveways, but homeowners embrace them because they have the potential to last for decades.
Gravel
Gravel is also one of today's most popular types of driveway materials, mostly because it is inexpensive. This material especially fits well in rustic landscape and home styles.
You may want to use gravel if you have a lengthy driveway that would make using concrete or asphalt cost prohibitive.
Gravel is a combination of sorted aggregate or crushed rock, with each particle spanning a couple of inches across. What's great about gravel, aside from its cost, is the fact that it is DIY friendly. You can simply dump it on your land and create a smooth layer to form your driveway.
Note that gravel driveways can develop potholes easily. However, repairing these driveways is relatively easy.
Asphalt
Finally, choose asphalt if you want a long-lasting driveway and don't care much about its appearance.
Asphalt consists of a liquid that looks like tar, called bitumen. It also features aggregate and sand. Like concrete, it isn't exactly DIY friendly. However, it is less costly than concrete.
You can expect an asphalt driveway to last for a couple of decades.
How We Can Help
Figuring out which driveway materials would work best for your residential property can understandably feel overwhelming. Fortunately, whether you choose asphalt, gravel, or concrete driveway designs, you can rest assured that your driveway will both look and feel great in the years ahead.
At Scott's Landscaping, we take pride in providing high-level landscaping services for homeowners. So, if you're interested in creating a fresh driveway for your home, we'd be glad to help you to choose the right driveway material for your needs.
Then, we'll create the perfect driveway for you. Contact us today!
