What is the Best Type of Driveway for your Home?
As most of us have spent the good 3rd of the year staying at home, you’ve probably been working on plans on how to improve or update your property – even coming to terms with your old driveway that’s cracking and slightly uneven. There are several different types of materials to go for but what is the best type of driveway available?
Best Type of Driveway – Home Options
Here at RG Driveways Solihull, we have listed the comparative cost, advantages and disadvantages of the three most common driveway materials on the market.
Gravel Driveway
If you’re interested in Gravel then you should know that the price is low, the least expensive material to go for, and possibly the most DIY-Friendly and permeable, allowing rainwater to soak through and reducing runoff. However, gravel is rough and uneven, weeds can grow through it, and it tends to migrate from the driveway onto the lawn – you’ll be sweeping more to keep it looking even.
Asphalt Driveway
The next material on the list is Asphalt. It costs more than gravel, but less than concrete, and provides homeowners a smooth and durable surface, but we also told you it was cheap! Over time, Asphalt can develop cracks and holes – you will need to seal it every few years to make it last longer.
Concrete Driveway
Say what you will, concrete is the most expensive on the list but it will make you home look stunning, especially if you have a front garden to go with it. The pros to having a concrete driveway is the less time you need to maintain other than the occasional cleaning with a pressure washer. But this still doesn’t stop cracks from showing up – still do monthly maintenance to keep it looking perfect.
What does Ricki think?
A new segment with RG Contractors owner, Ricki Grenfell as well listen to hints and tips about Maintenance, gardening and driveway cleaning.
Ricki: When people need to replace their driveway, they often ask which type of surface is best. The answer depends on your budget, your lifestyle, and the amount of maintenance you’re willing to do.
A gravel driveway is probably the least expensive option. It reduces rainwater runoff because the water drains through it. But on the downside, it’s not very smooth, weeds can grow through it, and eventually the gravel will end up in the lawn.
Asphalt is more expensive but creates a smooth, solid surface that stays put without the need to build any forms. The downside is that, as you’ve seen here, asphalt requires sealing every few years to prevent the surface from cracking, chipping, and coming apart.
Concrete is the most expensive of the three because the material costs more, and the additional labour of forming and pouring it. However, if it’s done correctly, the only maintenance it should require is an occasional cleaning.