When a homeowner is looking to pave their driveway, they have several options for material and style. Some choices include gravel, asphalt, brick and stone pavers, and grass. These materials can be stained, tinted, or etched to create an aesthetic that matches the house. They can also be porous for eco-friendly drainage.
Driveway Paving Summerville SC can save you time and money by installing your paved driveway correctly. They will consider your drainage needs and use the right materials for your region’s climate. They can even use recycled asphalt to cut costs and reduce environmental impact. Before hiring a contractor, request references and look for online reviews to find the best option for your budget.
The cost of a driveway paver can vary greatly depending on the materials used and the job size. Features like a flower bed or retaining wall will increase the project’s cost. These features can also add to the overall aesthetic of the finished product. Choosing a style that matches the home can help ensure the paver looks good and will not require expensive upkeep in the future.
The average price to pave a driveway is $5 to $7 per square foot, including labor and equipment. This includes a milling machine or grader to prepare the surface, an asphalt paver, and a compactor. Additional equipment may be needed if the site is on a hill or has curves. Labor costs are also variable and depend on the availability of skilled workers in your area.
While concrete and asphalt are the most common materials for paving, there are many other options that can be used. For example, some homeowners choose to pave their driveway with brick or cobblestones that complement their home’s architecture. Others prefer a natural grass driveway that will be more environmentally friendly.
A paved driveway can be designed in different shapes to improve the curb appeal of the home and make it easier for residents and guests to access the house. These can include S-shaped, L-shaped, circular, horseshoe, or half circle driveways. A curved driveway can increase the cost by 10 to 20 percent, but it can provide more parking space and enhance the visual appeal of the house.
Driveway paving is a big job and requires specialized equipment. You should hire a contractor who is licensed and insured to protect yourself from any liabilities associated with the job. The contractor should have a paved-driveway maintenance plan that will help keep your pavement in great shape.
Durability
Concrete is a popular choice for driveways and can last up to 30 years or more, if properly maintained. It is made from various aggregates, such as sand and gravel, mixed with water and cement to form a hard, durable material. It can be customized with a variety of colors, patterns, and textures to suit your aesthetics. Concrete can also be poured into different forms to create unique shapes and designs for your driveway. However, a poorly constructed or damaged concrete driveway can crack and crumble, which is why it is important to choose an experienced concrete services company for your paving needs.
Asphalt paving is another option for your new driveway. This type of paving is economical and easy to repair and maintain. Its smooth surface is skid-resistant and can withstand heavy traffic. Asphalt pavements can also withstand salt and other chemicals that are often used to melt snow and ice.
Aside from its durability, a paver driveway is attractive and adds value to your home. Its interlocking design gives your driveway a distinctive look, which will impress visitors and potential buyers. It is also less expensive than a brick driveway. However, it can be more difficult to install, especially if your property is sloped.
When choosing a paver for your driveway, it is important to consider its strength, color, and durability. It is also important to make sure that the contractor you hire is experienced in laying pavers. You should also ask the contractor about the warranty and the cost of maintenance.
While a concrete driveway can last for more than 20 years, it requires frequent repairs and replacement. Concrete is also not as environmentally friendly as other paving materials. It requires a lot of heat to mix and install, and it uses petroleum products for its seal coating.
If you decide to go with a concrete driveway, make sure that the paving contractors you choose are licensed and insured. This will protect you from being scammed by unscrupulous companies. In addition, you should always get quotes from multiple contractors before hiring anyone. This will ensure that you receive the best possible price for your project.
Appearance
Whether you’re hosting guests or showing your property to prospective buyers, an ugly, rough and unpaved driveway creates an awful first impression. Driveway paving is a relatively affordable and cost-effective way to upgrade your property’s curb appeal. It can also increase the value of your home.
When choosing a paver, consider the color and style of your property. If your house has a rustic feel, a gravel or stone paver might work best. However, if your home is more modern, consider using a concrete paver with a natural appearance. Concrete paving has the advantage of being customizable, so you can use it to accent your outdoor living spaces and match it with your landscaping.
Another popular option for a driveway is asphalt. It has a smooth texture that makes for an attractive entranceway to your home. Additionally, it’s easy to maintain and durable. It can withstand the wear and tear from heavy vehicle traffic and weather elements. It’s also less expensive than some of the other paving options.
While asphalt is durable, it can crack and discolor over time. It’s also susceptible to the chemicals in engine oil and road salt. As a result, it’s important to schedule regular maintenance services.
If you’re looking for a long-term paving solution, consider choosing a concrete paver with an aggregate design. This type of decorative concrete combines cement with pebbles or small stones. It’s available in a wide range of colors, making it the perfect choice for a variety of aesthetic preferences.
You can also choose a permeable paver that looks like traditional asphalt. It’s more eco-friendly than traditional paving and it can be used to create a unique driveway design. You can even install planters in your driveway for a calming sense of symmetry. In addition to enhancing the beauty of your driveway, a properly installed permeable paver system will help prevent flooding in the surrounding area. It can also reduce runoff from stormwater and reduce the amount of water that enters the soil below your driveway. This can save you money on your water bill and help your home stay green.
Drainage
Drainage issues can be a big problem for homeowners. Poor drainage can cause damage to the asphalt or to the foundation of your home. It can also ruin the appearance of your driveway and create safety risks for you and your family. This is why you should make sure your paving company installs a proper drainage system for your new driveway.
Proper drainage is one of the Big Three factors that will affect your driveway’s durability. This is why it’s important to hire a professional paving company that understands this concept.
The way your paving contractor designs the slope of your driveway will determine how well it drains. It is best to have a gradual slope that channels water away from your home and into the yard or street. This will keep the water from pooling on your driveway and causing structural damage to it.
Ideally, the highest point of your driveway should be at the curb or garage area, and the lowest point should be the street. This allows for proper drainage by directing the water towards your gutters, downspouts, and/or garden areas.
A proper slope isn’t always possible. In some cases, your paving contractor may need to divert storm water elsewhere using different methods. For example, they may need to build drainage swales, French drains, or channel drains.
These drains are usually buried beneath the surface and cover with decorative grates that provide an accented design for your driveway. They can be used on their own or combined with a landscape system that uses permeable pavers to manage the water flow.
During heavy rains, your pavement will be inundated with water that has nowhere to go. If this happens, it can lead to cracking, lifting, base shifting, and other serious problems that require costly repairs. This is why you should have your paving company check for drainage issues after every rainstorm.
If you notice puddles or standing water in the center of your driveway, it’s a sign that the asphalt isn’t drained properly. This can cause sand, gravel, and rock to wash into your driveway from other parts of the property, damaging it over time. It can also lead to crumbling of the asphalt, which will also require expensive repair work.
