It’s important that driveways are functional, hard wearing and fit for purpose. But with the right company behind you, you can also make sure your new driveway looks fantastic too. There are a whole host of various options available to you.
The one you end up choosing will be based on a number of different factors such as your budget, specific colours or designs you want and what kind of traffic and weather the driveway will have to deal with.
Concrete Driveway
Concrete is quite popular primarily because it is a fast and low cost solution. It is also very durable and will last a very long time with minimal maintenance required. There can be some issues with cracking if you happen to live in areas with extremely cold weather
One thing that people don’t realise is that concrete is also a very versatile material. It can be dyed to change the colour. It can also be stamped or imprinted to create many different designs or alter the texture. If done correctly and professionally the end result can be quite impressive and it often looks much more expensive than it really is.
Brick Driveway
Brick is also a very common material for building driveways with. Not only is brick popular with residential clients but commercial clients and even county councils and government agencies often opt for brick in their paving projects.
It is durable, comes in many different colors and with a bit of creativity you can make a wide range of unique and aesthetically pleasing designs.
The main drawback is that it can be quite expensive and out of the budget for some homeowners and businesses.
Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt is becoming a much more common driveway material which is because it’s very quick ad easy to install. It also allows you to save money over other options available.
Of course asphalt only comes in its original color of black so it offers little in the way of customisation or uniqueness.
Another issue is that you will need to have your asphalt driveway sealed again every 3-4 years.
Gravel Driveway
Gravel comes in many different colors, shapes and sizes. It is relatively inexpensive and quick to install. A word of warning though, it does need to be installed by an experienced company. It isn’t as straight forward as dumping the gravel down and raking it out. If it isnt installed correctly the gravel will shift around considerably over time.
To avoid this it needs to be edged and layered correctly.
Many people use gravel for garden areas too, often running cobble or block pathways through them to great effect.
Crushed Stone Driveway
Crushed stone offers many of the same advantages and disadvantages of gravel. The main difference is that it offers a smoother surface than gravel.
There are also quite a few different colours to choose from.
Cobblelock Driveway, also known as (Pavers/Block Paving, Brick Pavers, Brick Paving, Cobbles or Block Pavers)
If you are looking for a really special driveway that will have your neighbours filled with jealousy then this is the driveway for you. It makes use of brick, concrete or natural stone or combinations of all of them. The variety of block sizes, styles, colours and designs is endless and you can really put your own stamp on this and create something truly unique to your tastes and budget.
This material can be surprisingly affordable although it goes without saying that it can also be much more expensive due to the complexity of design you may want. But we believe it is well worth it.
Basalt Driveway
Basalt is a paving material that can give your home and driveway a truly special look. It’s very hard wearing and can withstand all types of weather. Another huge benefit is that it’s very low maintenance.
As with some of the other materials listed above, if you wish to have a basalt driveway installed then you need to make sure the contractor is qualified to do so. It isn’t a straightforward process and the final design needs to be one that fits with your home’s style.
Cobblestone Driveway
Cobblestone is another low maintenance and very hard wearing choice of material. It provides a classic look that never goes out of style and there are a large number of designs to suit all styles.
Again this is specialist work and not every paving company will be equipped to install this type of patio or driveway.
Of course it goes without saying that Premium Paving has a team that is both highly qualified and fully equipped to install cobblestone driveways to a very high level of quality.
Tar and Chip Driveway
This is not something that you’ll see very often but when cost is a concern this is about the cheapest driveway you are going to get. One main benefit is that it does provide very good traction if that’s something that is required. On the flipside it does need a certain level of maintenance to be kept in good condition.
Natural Stone Driveways
Natural stone is very sought after and our customers often ask for this type of driveway. Using a wet mortar technique we are able produce much higher quality results than our competition. This material requires little in the way of maintenance and is hard wearing.
Granite Driveways
Really nice looking material that is very durable. Because it wears extremely well it keeps a like-new look for a very long time.
Sandstone Driveways
This type of block comes in many different colours giving you plenty of choice. It provides your drive or patio with a very natural and earthy looking design.
Limestone Driveways
Again this type of stone comes in various colours and is long-lasting even in high traffic areas.
Quartz Driveways
Quartz is a very beautiful stone that will really add a serious touch of class to your driveway and home. It is very durable and long-lasting. But of course it also comes with a price tag to match its beauty and is one of the most expensive paving materials there is.
Porcelain Driveways
Similar to quartz, this is another beautiful looking material that adds a touch of elegance to any home. However just like quartz it is also not cheap. In fact it is the most expensive material to supply and install per square metre. But this price reflects its superior nature. Besides its beautiful appearance however, porcelain does have some excellent practical benefits. It’s non-porous making it frost proof and resistant to moss growth because it doesn’t absorb water. Finally, its texture gives good grip even in wet weather.
Ultimately there is no right or wrong type or style of driveway. It is up to your personal tastes and of course your budget.
It’s always important to do research and talk to an expert when making these decisions. That is why our team at Premium Paving is available and standing by waiting to take your call. We are happy to help in any way we can and love answering questions from prospective customers. We never perform any high pressure sales tactics and there is no obligation on you to buy even after we have called out to your home to offer a quote or design consultation.
Premium Paving has a history of successfully installing every type of driveway imaginable. Our customers talk excitedly about our work on social media and the majority of our new projects actually come from referrals.
Call us today to see how happy we can make you!