When it comes to choosing a material to be used for your Wayne Township, PA, driveway, there are several options available. But let us look at two materials commonly considered: concrete pavers and asphalt. In at least one home you’ve rented or bought over the years, there is a likelihood that the driveway material was asphalt. After all, it’s been a longstanding construction material in suburban development. Through the use of pavers, however, the design of driveways has taken on a new life. The driveway can now be part of the landscape design where before it was more of an afterthought, or a simple extension of the road. Asphalt is now seldom considered, although not completely extinct. If you’re still clinging on to your old asphalt driveway and enduring the regular maintenance and resurfacing requirements, it might be time to take a look at pavers as an alternative.
Below are some considerations to keep in mind when you’re making your decision and talking to your driveway contractor about your options.
Paver Driveway Benefits, Costs and Considerations
Pavers are an excellent choice for surfacing a driveway. They give you the freedom of owning a driveway that expresses your unique personality thanks to the variety of style and color options that pavers present. Pavers can last in excess of 20-30 years since the materials used in their manufacturing are extremely durable and weather resistant and are often given special treatment to resist weathering, fading and staining. Even in cold weather, the risk of cracking is highly limited because pavers are each their own separate unit. This give them room to expand and contract in response to the temperature, without becoming damaged. And in the event one of a pavers becoming damaged, it’s very easy to fix - as simple as lifting and replacing a faulty stone with a new one.
Related: Eye-catching Laying Patterns for your Driveway Pavers
Some situations may demand you have permeable pavers installed for your driveway. This is one of the smartest ways to improve drainage throughout your property. Permeable paver driveways absorb as much as 10 inches of rain per hour, which help reduce flooding and stormwater runoff.
Asphalt Driveway Benefits, Costs and Considerations
One of asphalt's strongest features is its coloration. Its characteristic deep black can look sophisticated and attractive. Though unlike paver driveways, asphalt tends to be susceptible to weathering from heavy rain, cracking from expansion and contraction through the seasons, and crumbling due to subsurface soil erosion. The surface can also become extremely hot during the summer months. An asphalt driveway can last for decades when properly installed and given regular maintenance, but the emphasis lies on maintenance.
An asphalt driveway will need to be seal coated within the year after installation. It will then require new seal coating on a regular basis, preferable every new year. Seal coating is necessary in asphalt driveway maintenance for it to survive against UV rays from the sun, and any negative effects of moisture.
When moisture gets into an asphalt driveway, it creates weak spots which can cause major problems in the long run. Also, asphalt driveways need to be inspected for cracks—even a seemingly small crack can allow moisture to infiltrate the asphalt. If not treated in time, these can grow into major fissures or potholes.
When choosing between paver driveway and asphalt, base your decision on your personal style and value. Although pavers may require a higher initial investment, most homeowners feel that they offer a unique appearance and abundant benefits that make pavers worthwhile.
