3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Choosing Paving for Your Driveway
Driveways are often underappreciated by many homeowners who see them as a mere detail. But a driveway is much more than that. The paving material that you choose will ultimately have a direct effect on its curb appeal, and choosing the right material could completely transform your house’s outer appearance. Not only that but choosing the wrong type of paving could be disastrous depending on where you live and what you intend to do with it. In this article, we’re going to give you a few important questions you’ll need to ask yourself before you pick a paving material for your driveway.
How Harsh is the Temperature where you Are?
For people who have to deal with harsh temperatures, especially in winter, picking the best option is crucial. Winters can be very hard on paving surfaces due to constant contraction and dilation. People will usually be torn between asphalt and concrete in these cases, and it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each.
While concrete is otherwise pretty durable, it is prone to cracking. Especially if you use a lot of de-icing chemicals on your driving. Many of these chemicals will affect the structural integrity of concrete and lead to damage. Asphalt, on the other hand, is much more malleable, and if there are cracks, these will usually be much easier to repair.
What Kind of Work do you Intend to do?
Another thing you’ll have to consider is what type of work you’re intending to do on your driveway. If you intend to do some mechanic work, then you can forget pavers right now. However, asphalt and concrete are both good alternatives. Asphalt is by far the easiest to maintain and can take a beating. Concrete is also a good option but demands a bit more attention. However, it offers more options as far as aesthetics go when compared to asphalt, so you can get a driveway that both looks good and is functional.
What Are Your Goals?
What is your ultimate goal for the driveway? Do you want something that will look good, or simply something that will be durable? Is cost an issue, or are you ready to go all out?
If you have the budget for it, then pavers are a good option. There are plenty of different types on the market, and they can accentuate a house perfectly when matched properly. Next in line is concrete. Like we said earlier, concrete can be made to look almost as good as pavers, with different styles, textures, and colors. And a properly cared for concrete driveway will last forever. If you’re looking for something aesthetic, asphalt is not the best choice. However, regular resurfacing can help it maintain its pristine appearance and it’s by far the least expensive option of the three.
Conclusion
Now that you have a clearer idea of what different types of paving have to offer, we strongly suggest you start talking with a contractor near you. They’ll be more than happy to answer all your questions and give you some recommendations based on your needs.
