5 Driveway Types and Their Pluses and Minuses

(Click here to watch the different driveway types video)  

Yorktown Heights, NY Driveway

There are at least five major driveway types, as categorized by the material they're constructed from, and each one has its own pluses and minuses.

Asphalt driveways expand and contract, thereby enduring freeze-thaw cycles better than concrete. Their ability to stand up under pressure makes them earthquake resistant. Their attractive smooth surface is easy to walk on. They do require maintenance resealing every three to five years; however, they often look as good as new after the resealing.  When driveways are constructed on a sloping surface, asphalt is preferred over concrete, as concrete sits unevenly in sloping wooden forms. Because asphalt driveways do not take up moisture, water will flow into sewers and streams during and after heavy rains. This may result in toxic runoff and flooding. Asphalt absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, which can lead to uncomfortable temperature buildups in and around cities.  

Natural stone driveways are elegant, and therefore more expensive to install and maintain. They may erode over time, especially in moist climates prone to heavy freeze-thaw cycles.  Examples of natural stone used in driveway construction include granite, limestone, and sandstone. 

Pebble or gravel driveways consist of stone chippings with or without paved areas. They're rustic looking, the least costly to install, and are often seen in a rural setting where the farmhouse has a long access driveway. They're easy to maintain and can be converted into a solid driveway if the owner wishes. They absorb water, but care should be taken to ensure proper yard drainage around their sides.  In snowy areas pebbles may be accidently removed by the snow plow during the winter and must be replaced every spring.  In rainy locales gravel driveways are prone to erosion. Driveways built on a slope are especially likely to erode.

Concrete driveways have been a favorite choice of homeowners for years. The availability of colored or decorative concrete has greatly expanded the visual possibilities of this genre of construction. Concrete driveways may be installed as open cell blocks or using pervious material, either of which will make them highly resistant to the problems of water runoff.  Concrete driveways are durable; however, they are susceptible to cracks and staining. They're cheaper to install than paver (manufactured stone) driveways, but subsequently more expensive to maintain. They are less flexible than most other driveway constructions and thus susceptible to damage from ground movements or earthquakes. Concrete driveways divert water and reflect heat, which can cause flooding and or uncomfortable temperature buildup.

Paver (manufactured stone) driveways are durable, porous, and come in a sizable assemblage of colors, shapes, and texture combinations. They may be installed as larger architectural slabs or smaller interlocking uniform parts, but only the later are suitable for car traffic.  Being composed of many smaller units, they are resistant to the impacts of weather conditions and earthquakes. They are also safe surfaces, being both skid and slip resistant. Brick pavers have all the aforementioned advantages plus they are colorfast and easy to install. In fact driveways made of brick are ready for use almost immediately after installation. Modern concrete pavers can almost perfectly imitate any natural stone look. So with pre-manufactured concrete pavers, a homeowner can create a beautiful driveway that looks like cobblestone, ancient Roman cut stone, natural brick, or more. Skillful masons engage in paver quilting, combining shapes and colors to form attractive geometric and artistic patterns.

You can see there's lots of variety to choose from when you are planning to install a driveway. Consequently, consulting with an expert is advisable. So, if you live in the Yorktown Heights, NY area or anywhere in Westchester County, be sure to call the Turf Barbers, outdoor masonry specialists, at 914 302 2469 and get answers to all your outdoor masonry questions.  

Resources; the Turf Barbers are masonry experts who buld all types of outdoor driveways in Westchester County, NY 2929 Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; 914 302 2469