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That is why there are many factors to consider
when selecting a material for a driveway. Some factors that will
help you make the appropriate decision include cost of materials and
labor, soil in the area, climate throughout the year, appearance and
expectations of usage.
Gravel, for example, is a common surface material for driveways.
It’s easy on the budget, and relatively easy to maintain. Because
gravel is permeable, it is also an environmentally friendly product,
and is often recycled from other sources. When properly maintained,
a gravel driveway can last a lifetime.
Gravel can also help bring out the beauty of the surrounding
exterior landscape more so than other materials. Gravel can be
obtained in a variety of colors, making it easy to blend it in with
the rest of your property, or add a bit of color and pep to the
homestead. According to J. Mrugacz of Wolf Paving, a construction
company in Wisconsin, “Depending on the style of your home, gravel
can oftentimes bring out the beauty of your exterior landscape more
so than many other materials.”
One downside to choosing a gravel driveway surface comes from
dealing with snow and ice removal. It can take a lot of salt or sand
to deal with frozen gravel. A report by Daniel Bortz in the
Washington Post suggests that “At the end of a long winter, you may
find you need to replace a good amount of your gravel.”
Gravel driveways are also prone to developing ruts after constant
use. Ruts need to be filled to maintain both a decent appearance,
and safety for those walking over it.
Finally, a gravel driveway can cause a lot of dust, debris and dirt
to escape and fill the air in the summer months. This may cause a
mess for the rest of the home, as well as create minor hazards for
other drivers.
Like gravel, asphalt is another economical driveway choice, even if
prices may vary from week to week, since it’s an oil-based product.
Asphalt driveways typically cost more than gravel to install, but
still less than other options.
Asphalt also comes with the advantage of a longer potential
lifespan. According to Mrugacz, “with proper maintenance, an asphalt
driveway will last anywhere from 12 – 35 years depending on
installation, climate, usage and other factors.”
However, asphalt comes with aesthetic limitations. This means that
if your house clashes with the driveway visually, it may be an
eyesore. Asphalt also requires its own type
of maintenance, which is often costly in both time and money.
Asphalt is easiest to clean with a power washer, which isn’t always
easy or cheap to acquire. Asphalt should be cleaned at least twice a
year to remove dirt and debris. Cracks and holes should be repaired
quickly, and that means breaking out the sealants and various
coatings, which are added costs to the homeowner. Asphalt can also
be damaged during extreme heat. Homes in hotter climates may be
susceptible to driveway damage caused by fluctuation in temperature.
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Asphalt is also not an environmentally friendly
product. According to Bortz, “using recycled asphalt, or cold-mixed
asphalt that does not require the excessive heat to install, can
help reduce an asphalt driveway’s negative impact on the
environment.”
Concrete is both durable and versatile. Concrete holds up well in
any climate and requires little to no maintenance.
However, in addition to being relatively expensive, raw concrete is
not the most attractive building material. Gray does not really
clash with much, but it does not always look good, especially if it
starts to crack or buckle.
However, concrete can be dyed, painted and stamped to make
interesting additions to your outdoor decor. The range of colors and
geometric patterns can create interest in an area which was
previously rather vanilla.
However, concrete is a bit simpler to fix than asphalt, as it does
not call for specific temperatures, and there is a much larger
variety of sealants and fillers to choose from.
However, regular concrete is one of the least environmentally
friendly choices for a driveway or hardscape. It consists mostly of
cement, which when created, is one of the largest contributors to
carbon dioxide emissions. There is a growing trend in ‘low-carbon’
concrete mixes. According to Bortz, “you can also find a concrete
supplier that uses recycled aggregate.” This means there are ways to
build a concrete driveway that at least doesn’t damage the
environment further.
In the end, choosing a material for a driveway involves a lot more
thinking than people often give it. You have to look at things like
costs, maintenance, effects on the environment, and even appearance.
This means that it’s just as important of a decision as anything
else concerning your home.
[Derek Hurley]
Sources
3 Driveway Pros & Cons: Gravel vs. Asphalt Paving
The pros and cons of 6 driveway materials
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