Driveway Materials

Driveways not only provide you with a path to your home but can also help in:

• Aesthetically enhancing the look of your home.
• They can also add value to your property.
• Driveways provide easy access to your home, which is especially important if you have a lot of visitors or live in a rural area.
• They also offer parking space for your cars, RVs, boats, etc.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each one and discuss how they’re installed and what kind of repairs they might require. So whether you’re in the market for a new driveway or just need to fix up the old one, read on for some helpful information.

What to consider when choosing a driveway material

There are certain things you should consider when choosing a driveway material, such as

• Budget: all materials have different price points
• Aesthetics: driveways can add curb appeal to your home
• Maintenance: some driveways require more upkeep than others
• Installation: some driveways are easier to install than others
• Durability: some driveways can last longer than others

Each of these factors should be weighed when making a decision about which driveway material is right for you.

Now that we’ve gone over what to consider, let’s take a closer look at each material and how they are installed.

The benefits of each driveway material

Here, we have listed all the pros of each driveway material.

Cement:

• Is durable and long-lasting
• Resists cracking in cold weather
• Easy to repair if it does crack
• Does not require as much upkeep as other materials
• Can be customized with different colors and patterns

Asphalt:

• Also durable and long-lasting
• Can withstand heavy traffic
• Easy to repair if it does crack
• Does not require as much upkeep as other materials

Pavers:

• Are durable and long-lasting
• Come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes
• Can be customized to create different patterns
• Easy to repair if they crack or break

The drawbacks of each driveway material

Just like anything else, driveways have a few drawbacks that you should be aware of.

Cement:

•  Can be expensive to install
• Takes a long time to cure
• Can be difficult to install if you don’t have experience

Asphalt:

•  Can be susceptible to potholes
• Can be difficult to repair if it does crack
• Requires regular maintenance, such as sealing and resurfacing

Pavers:

• Can be expensive to install
• Can be difficult to install if you don’t have experience
• Require regular maintenance, such as cleaning and sealing

How each material is installed

Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of each material, let’s take a look at how they are installed.

How cement is installed

Here is how cement driveways are installed:

• The first step is to excavate the area where the driveway will be.
• Next, a layer of gravel is compacted.
• Then, forms are set in place, and concrete is poured into them.
• Once the concrete has dried, it is then sealed.

How asphalt is installed

Here is how asphalt driveways are installed:

• The first step is to excavate the area where the driveway will be.
• Next, a layer of gravel is compacted.
• Then, asphalt is heated and poured onto the gravel.
• Once the asphalt has cooled, it is then compacted.

How pavers are installed

Here is how pavers are installed:

• The first step is to excavate the area where the driveway will be. Initial installation is almost the same for all the materials.
• Next, a layer of gravel is compacted.
• Then, the pavers are laid in place and set with adhesive.
• Once the adhesive has dried, the joints between the pavers are filled with sand.

Repairs

Now that we’ve gone over how each material is installed, let’s take a look at their respective repairs.

How to repair cement driveways

Cement driveways can crack over time due to weather changes or settling. Here is how you can repair them:

• First, clean out the crack with a wire brush.
• Next, fill the crack with concrete repair caulk or patching compound.
• Once the repair material has dried, smooth it over with a trowel.
• Finally, seal the driveway to protect it from future weather damage.

How to repair asphalt driveways

Asphalt driveways can also crack over time due to weather changes or settling. Here is how you can repair them:

• First, clean out the crack with a wire brush.
• Next, fill the crack with asphalt repair caulk or patching compound.
• Once the repair material has dried, smooth it over with a trowel.
• Finally, seal the driveway to protect it from future weather damage.

Sealcoating an asphalt driveway every few years will also help extend its life.

How to repair paver driveways

Pavers can crack or break over time due to weather changes, settling, or heavy traffic. Here is how you can repair them:

• First, remove the damaged paver and set it aside.
• Next, clean out the area where the paver was with a wire brush.
• Then, fill the area with new sand.
• Finally, set the paver back in place and compact the sand around it.

If you have a large number of pavers that are damaged, you may need to replace them entirely.

Conclusion

We have gone over the benefits and drawbacks of each type of driveway material: cement, asphalt, and pavers. We have also discussed how each one is installed and what kind of repairs they might require. Deciding which material to use might seem like a daunting task, but hopefully, this article has made it a little easier.

Now that we’ve gone over the basic requirements for driveway installation and repair, you should have a better idea of which one is right for you. No matter which type of driveway you choose, be sure to have it installed by a professional for the best results.