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The curb appeal of your home depends on many factors. One of the most commonly overlooked is your driveway. The driveway isn’t just a place to park your cars or dribble a basketball and shoot hoops. It’s also a dominant aspect of the appearance of your home, and you want to make sure that it looks its best at all times.
Not only that, but you want your driveway to last as long as possible as well. First off, if it gets into disrepair, then it won’t look very good. Secondly, the more often it breaks down, the more often you have to pay to have it replaced or repaired. Lucky, modern techniques of installing driveways and manufacturing materials have made them more durable than ever. So here are the driveway materials that last the longest.
Paver Driveways
A paver driveway, or interlocking pavers, takes a lot of work. Each pattern piece must be put down in the exact correct position to give your driveway an amazing look. There are many types of materials that you can use for a paver driveway, but they are most often made of concrete.
You can choose from several types of patterns and colors, so you can truly give your driveway a taste of your own personality.
The best thing about paver driveways is that while they cost a bit extra to install, you will be rewarded with a very durable and long-lasting driveway. They require very little maintenance, and they will boost your home’s resale value.
Asphalt Driveways
Asphalt driveways might be the most common type in the United States. Asphalt is made up of rock, sand, and cement. It’s more affordable than other options, but if it is insulated well, it can last a long time. You can expect a newly installed asphalt driveway to last at least 15 years and sometimes up to 20.
While the overall driveway is very durable, asphalt may have to be sealed every few years. This is to prevent moisture from seeping in and from weeds to start pushing through. However, asphalt holds up well in code climate and is smooth for shoveling and plowing.
Brick Driveways
When you come across older homes from the mid-1900s, there’s a good chance that they will have brick driveways. That’s because back then, everything was built to last.
Brick is possibly the most durable driveway option, and some of those old homes will still have their original driveway materials. They require very little maintenance, and despite brick being an old material choice, it can still provide a modern and up-to-date look.
It will hold strong in any type of climate and can withstand the wear and tear of your car’s parking and backing out.
Concrete Driveways
Along with asphalt, concrete is one of the most common materials you will see for driveways in the United States. Concrete is very durable, and you can essentially install it and forget about it. Not much maintenance is required, and it can stand up to the elements.
In addition, it is very flexible, as concrete can work with the appearance of almost any type of home. You can consult with a concrete contractor in Peru, IN to get a feel for the different options available.
Some high-end homes may not choose concrete because it doesn’t always meet their aesthetic standards, but it will definitely hold up physically.
Gravel Driveways
You might think that gravel driveways do not last long, but it’s their very simplicity that makes them so durable. You can expect a gravel driveway to last up to 30 years if it’s treated right along the way.
Gravel is very affordable and works perfectly for properties that are in rural areas that might get a lot of traffic from heavier vehicles. It’s also surprisingly great looking, with many colors and combinations to choose from.
Make sure to have the right drainage underneath. That way, water build will never be a problem since rain will either dry up or seep through without causing damage. If you do notice that you have some bare spots, then you can easily add some more gravel to fill it in.
Tarmac Driveways
When you hear the word tarmac, you probably think of a runway at the airport. However, tarmac is a great choice for a driveway because of the flexibility it offers and its low price point. A tarmac driveway is the everyman of driveways.
It doesn’t look fancy, but it gets the job done and will last you a long time. Tarmac can manage in any climate and can hold up to wear and tear. That’s why it’s used so often for large planes on runways.
You can expect a tarmac driveway to last a couple of decades, and they require very little maintenance. Repairs for tarmac tend to be lower than other materials as well.
Cobblestone
You usually think of cobblestone for walking paths, but it can also be used for driveways. Cobblestone paths can last up to a hundred years and are made using naturally cut stones, much like stone countertops.
One of the best features of cobblestone is that you have such a wide array of options for styles, patterns, and colors. They provide a rustic charm to any home that is inviting and friendly.
In addition, they are close to indestructible and require almost no maintenance. Because of this, cobblestone can cost a little more than the other options, but it may be well worth it to you.
If you want your home to look great, then you need the right driveway. However, you also probably don’t want to have to worry about it cracking and breaking down a lot over its lifetime. Any one of these options can provide you with a long-lasting and great-looking driveway to complement your home’s curb appeal.
