Some people might snooze off when they hear a conversation about driveways.
But for those that love home design, it’s one of the best topics to discuss. Why? Well, a driveway has a lot to do with the curb appeal of a home. Be honest, when you see a nice home with its own driveway and garage, you think the owners must be doing well for themselves.
A driveway also represents safety as being able to park your car away from the road is protected from thieves. However, the style of the driveway is what we’re going to explore and why some styles are more popular than others.
The Classic Brick
Brick has been used for driveways, for a very long time. It’s easy to make, very easy to repair, and looks fantastic. The great thing about brick driveways is, they can be made entirely unique. The patterns you make can be of your choosing, the color can be unique and the material can be soft or hard.
Bricks are, however, very common. So although the driveway can look great and repairs are easy, it’s not really going to scream ‘style and affluence’ to some. Yet, it’s cheaper than many other options.
Smooth Asphalt
Asphalt is a deep grey and looks very formal. Asphalt is beginning to replace brick driveways because it’s a lot cheaper, and yet, just as smooth and easy to repair. Take a look at Driveway Paving to see how smooth it can look.
The asphalt has to be properly laid and that requires heavy machinery. Why? Well, the ground has to be smooth first, so the asphalt won’t have any bumps which show up easily. So the heavy trucks and bulldozers have to be used to flatten the ground and bring in the new material by the tonnage.
Gravel Trap
The reason why gravel is still so loved is that it’s very rustic. It’s very easy to work with, can be moved around and doesn’t need to be set like the other two just mentioned. Gravel is natural rocks, stones and dirt all mashed into one. It can be added or taken away at a moment’s notice.
Yet, it can weather a storm easily. There won’t be any standing pools of water like the previous two might have to deal with. However, it does often look cheap and untidy. Wind can blow the debris about, causing uneven wear and tear on the bald surfaces.
Cobblestone
Cobblestone is often linked with medieval England, with the horse and carts moving across a bumpy but sturdy surface. Cobblestone in this day and age can be made to be reasonably flat.
However, it’s because it takes skill to create this kind of surface, which is why some homes want it for the driveway. It definitely looks the part and will last for a very long time. The issue is, it is expensive and not friendly to bikes and wheelchairs.
What kind of driveway would you like to have if money wasn’t an object? Which is your favorite style and why? Let me know in the comments below!
