7 Driveway Styles To Consider For Your Property

In terms of exterior alterations and accompaniments, the driveway provides much room for maneuver.

The hardest part for homeowners is often deciding which driveway style to adopt and what kind of material to use for the driveway.

This article discusses different types of driveways and take a look at a variety of materials and discuss which ones might be ideal for your house.

Key Considerations

Think about the different driveway surfaces to find one that complements your home's style but be aware that more elaborate materials may require more labor, driving up the price.

Having a firm grasp on the implications of price being the central variable is crucial. The total price of paving a driveway is proportional to the square footage paved and the type of materials utilized.

This is because the value increase may be more than the additional expense. Add charm and value to your home with pavers or cobblestones. It's not a good idea to go with the cheapest option for your driveway material.

Driveways made of tarmac or gravel may stand out in suburban areas where concrete is the norm.

While detached country houses may provide more freedom, their high maintenance requirements can be a burden.

Bear maintenance in mind as well. What sort of equipment for cleaning a driveway do you need? Do you need new ones, or can you get it fixed? For how long can I expect a properly cared-for driveway to look good?

Take into account the driveway's price, maintenance, and potential return on investment before committing to a plan of action.

1. Concrete Driveways

Driveways made of concrete are common in urban and suburban areas, but they are sometimes referred to by the incorrect term "cement."

Among various driveway styles, concrete is one of the quickest and easiest to install and one of the most affordable options.

Many homeowners prefer a concrete driveway because of its enduring durability, versatility in terms of color, and low upkeep requirements. Because it looks like blockwork or cobblestone but requires no maintenance, many people opt for an imprinted concrete driveway.

With care, a concrete driveway can last for 30 years. Routine cleaning entails a power washing, sweeping, and applying a chemical stain remover to get rid of tire and rubber markings.

Though problem do occur due to concrete's susceptibility to cold. While necessary, de-icing concrete in sub-freezing temperatures can lead to fissures.

It's not easy to fix concrete that has cracks in it. The entire driveway needs to be replaced, yet most Britons don't mind the chilly weather.

It is recommended to wait seven days before driving on freshly poured concrete.

Use Easefix to hire expert driveway pavers for a concrete driveway if that sounds interesting to you.

2. Asphalt Driveways

It is yet another simple, inexpensive, and quick fix driveway style. Plain asphalt or asphalt embossed with bricks or stones is cheaper than concrete of the same thickness.

The installation of asphalt is so quick that it can be driven on almost immediately. It can handle changes in temperature without cracking or bursting.

More maintenance is needed for asphalt than for concrete. Filling in cracks and holes is a popular practice.

It doesn't last as long as concrete does. Compared to concrete, asphalt only has a half-life of 30 years.

To pave a large driveway, asphalt is one of the most practical and fast-setting options due to its low cost and quick installation time.

Easefix paving contractors can help you with asphalt driveways construction.

3. Gravel Driveways

This is relatively a cheaper driveway style. Gravel driveways are made by combining rocks, sand, and clay.

Although loose, gravel can be compressed. Like asphalt, it also comes at a low cost. If cared for properly, a gravel driveway can last forever.

Regular upkeep is cheap and straightforward. Gravel lends a rustic air to buildings, and it can take on different tones depending on the material used as a foundation. In outdoor spaces, warmer-toned gravel is aesthetically pleasing. If you're interested in a driveway with colored gravel, your driveway paving contractor can provide samples.

Though it's not easy to keep up with gravel. The homeowner may need to remove stones from the lawn and walkways if they become dislodged.

Because weeds can grow through gravel, it needs to be weeded if it is placed near a garden. Driveways tend to shrink as gravel is spread.

If that's the case, you should start over with a new layer. If this is not done, the road can become prone to potholes and flooding.

You may need to wash your cars more frequently if you drive on gravel.

Gravel is a great option for longer-lasting driveways in rural regions and larger installations provided you're willing to put in more time (but less money) to keep it in good condition.

Paving contractors from Easefix are able to assist you with the installation of gravel  driveways.

4. Brick Pavers Driveways

Pavers for brick driveways are natural stone slabs. There are benefits and drawbacks to using brick, concrete, or another paving material for a driveway.

Pavers are superior to gravel or dirt for driveways because they are easier to maintain, look nicer, and are naturally flat.

In addition to being more comfortable underfoot than gravel, little shapes can be made to accommodate slopes or even out uneven land.

If your driveway is inclined, pavers are safer than concrete when it's wet, ice, or rainy.

Driveways made of pavers can be used practically immediately after installation because of how rapidly they settle.

The high price is a major disadvantage of pavers. Driveway paving costs are proportional to driveway area, paver type, and driveway design.

Compared to asphalt or gravel, pavers are more expensive. Because of the additional time required to lay them, you may be waiting a while for your ride.

Cracks can form as a result of erosion or the freezing and thawing process. It's simple to replace broken pavers.

If you have a larger budget and want a neat, uniform drive, pavers provide you design and color flexibility.

Brick pavers driveways construction, repair and maintenance can be handled by Easefix paving professionals.

5. Cobblestones Driveway

Because of its one-of-a-kind appearance and feel driveway style, cobblestone warrants its own entry, complete with pros and cons.

In the eyes of many prospective buyers, cobblestone's timeless elegance is a major selling point. The aesthetic value of cobblestones, however, is just half the story.

Cobblestones have the potential to last for decades if cared for in a responsible manner, such as by washing them and fixing any damage. The use of cobblestone can increase the worth of a home.

Similar to the cost of concrete pavers, cobblestone driveways are not cheap. They can be twice as expensive as brick pavers per square foot, so a big driveway will cost a lot.

Cleaning snow and dirt off of uneven surfaces can be a challenge.

Cobblestone streets are most at home in more affluent or older communities. All you need is a sufficient amount of money.

Contact Easefix if you need to hire expert driveway pavers to help you install or maintain cobblestones driveway at your property.

6. Basalt Driveways

The use of basalt for driveways is unusual and rare.

This driveway style is composed of tiles made of glossy, dark basalt. Similar to pavers, basalt roads require little upkeep. Power washing maintains everything clean and smooth. It can withstand a light dusting of snow and minimal accumulation of soil.

The extreme cold will have no effect on basalt because of its high resistance to the elements. Avoid going barefoot outside if it's going to be extremely hot.

The high cost of basalt is the major obstacle to its widespread adoption. This expensive material is only workable by a select few businesses, driving up production costs and labor rates.

When laying a basalt drive, it is also necessary to get the base ready for tiling.

Basalt is a viable option if it meets your needs and your budget. Some property owners may not like it.

If you want to have a basalt driveway put in or maintained on your home, contact Easefix to speak with professional pavers.

7. Tarmac Driveways 

The Tarmac brand consists of tar and chips. Macadam is a generic term for this material.

They have the look and feel of hot tar on a gravel base to which loose stone chips have been added and then cemented. A more cost-effective alternative to asphalt, it is also flat, even, and flexible.

Tarmac pavement only necessitates infrequent maintenance consisting of replacing any loose stones. It holds up admirably to both high and low temperatures.

Because fewer contractors deal with tarmac, it is cheaper than other materials but more difficult to install. However, if you happen to reside in a snowy part of the UK, clearing your driveway of snow can be a tedious chore that might cause costly driveway repairs.

Tarmac could be an option if you have a spacious driveway and don’t get a lot of snow. They don’t need any special sealant or laborious procedures to be installed, and they’re inexpensive.

Conclusion

There is a variety of driveway styles you can choose from. You need to consider various factors when deciding on the right driveway style for your house.

Factors to consider include price, upkeep, longevity, and aesthetics. Driveway installation requires a skilled driveway paver, so be sure to hire the best people for the job.

If you want a brand new driveway or repair and maintenance of your existing driveway, look no further than Easefix. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which driveway style is ideal?

Concrete. In terms of driveway surfaces, concrete is one of the most long-lasting solutions available. Hard and stable, but only if you get it professionally installed, pay a lot up front, keep up with the upkeep, and hope for good weather.

2. What do driveways in the UK get called?

A driveway (also called drive in UK English) is a type of private road for local access to one or a small group of structures and is owned and maintained by an individual or group.

3. In the United Kingdom, what materials are used for driveways?

Tarmac. Asphalt would be the correct term for this driveway, considering Tarmac is just a brand name. It's the same material used for roads and walkways in the United Kingdom, so it holds up well in our weather. It is widely used since it is inexpensive to set up and can keep going strong for twenty years or more.

4. What is the most affordable type of driveway?

The most economical option is aggregate (gravel), next asphalt, concrete, and finally paving stones. Gravel is the most cost-effective option if you need to create a driveway on a tight budget.