What Options Are There For Driveway Surfaces?

Posted by liamgaughan No Comments on What Options Are There For Driveway Surfaces? Blog

What Options Are There For Driveway Surfaces?

If you are considering replacing your existing driveway or creating a new driveway outside your home, you have several options for the surface that you use. If you don’t currently have a drive, it can be worth it, with industry experts estimating it adds five to ten per cent to the value of your home. 

While tarmac is still an option, it isn’t your only one. We’re going to run through five of the most popular options. 

Tarmac driveways

Let’s start with the obvious choice: tarmac. It’s durable, is weather resistant and although it doesn’t look fancy, it provides a simple, clean aesthetic that suits most properties. It is also cost effective and installation is relatively quick, which is why it’s still such a popular choice. 

Resin-bound driveways

In Cardiff, where the weather can be wet, resin driveways are a fantastic choice. This surface is permeable, allowing rain water to seep through rather than just run off. What’s more, you have more choices when it comes to the colour of resin driveways than you do with a material like concrete. 

Resin-bound driveways are also durable and easy to maintain, making them a popular choice.

Gravel driveways

Like tarmac, gravel driveways are a tried-and-tested favourite. They look great and like resin-bound surfaces they are permeable allowing rain and standing water to drain easily. Some people like the sound gravel produces when walked or driven on too, as an additional security measure. 

Installation is quick and easy and they are a cost-effective option for adding a driveway to your home. 

Paved driveways

The main advantage to paved driveways is in their aesthetic because there are so many types of paving you can choose. Block paving is always popular because of the versatility of its appearance, as well as its durability. It is also low maintenance once it’s installed and has a textured surface, making slips less likely.

Cobblestones are another type of paving you can choose, depending on the overall look you’re seeking. 

Patterned concrete driveways

If you like the idea of a paved driveway but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to that, patterned concrete – also known as imprinted or stamped concrete – driveways can be a good alternative. As their name suggests, the surface is concrete, but it is “stamped” to produce a paved effect.