Drive home the right first impression
First impressions count, and when it comes to your home, the state of your driveway can say a lot about what is beyond it.
If your driveway needs replacing or creating, choosing the surface that best suits the site is a good idea.
There are many different options to choose from, with the most common being gravel, concrete or asphalt.
Each has their own pros and cons, depending on your individual requirements, however ensuring your choice blends harmoniously with your house and garden and gives you the greatest value for money, is essential.
Gravel is considered the cheaper option.
It is also easier to lay and permeable, which means that runoff into storm water drains isn’t an issue. The downside, however, is that being gravel, it has a habit of moving.
This problem can be reduced if a honeycomb base is applied.
When it comes to choosing asphalt over concrete, or vice versa, a lot depends on the look you are wanting.
They are both made with stones and sand, and equally popular, it is just the binding ingredient that is different.
Asphalt has a softer look and offers high performance and durability at about half the cost. The petroleum-based product it is quite flexible, less prone to cracking, and great for areas where there are contours.
They can be installed in a relatively short amount of time, usually a day or two after the subgrade preparation. There is also very little inconvenience as driveways are able to be driven on just 24 hours after installation.
Asphalt can then continue to fully cure. Minor scarring of the surface may occur from sharp turns, power steering divots from vehicles or machinery, such as tractor tyres etc.
Concrete, on the other hand, creates a solid surface driveway, and is particularly popular for use on sloping driveways. With some foresight and a little imagination, it can also provide a unique feature to your home.
It can be textured, resembling bricks or pavers, or it can be exposed and protected with a sealant. This has become a popular choice over recent years and proves just how versatile concrete can be.
Both asphalt and concrete are relatively low maintenance, unlike gravel that will need to be tended to more regularly.
Gravel driveways are prone to stones scattering, a problem that is particularly prevalent on a driveway that sees plenty of vehicle traffic.
Before embarking on a new driveway, consider all the options to make sure your investment is suitable for the long term.