It is vital to remember that driveway materials can help you cover the surface on your driveway, meaning they should be able to bear considerable weight for decades after installation. While the most popular driveway materials can include concrete, asphalt or brick, you can choose other options as well from luxurious to affordable.

Of course, driveway materials are essential meaning they will impact your curb appeal and landscape, which is vital to remember. Therefore, getting the right material for your home’s driveway can involve understanding various factors including appearance, durability, expenses and maintenance requirements.

You should check here to learn more about asphalt pavement. In further article, we will talk about essential driveway materials you can find on the market, which will help you choose the best option for your household.

Asphalt

If you wish to get durable and affordable material compared with pavers and concrete, which can offer you a peace of mind for years after installation, we recommend you to go for asphalt. Generally, it can last between fifteen and twenty years, although with regular patching and sealing you can extend its life.

We are talking about high maintenance paving surface that requires more upkeep than concrete, especially because it is susceptible to softening on hot summer days, while it can also crack due to tree roots. Compared with concrete, you can relay it in case of repair, meaning you can easily patch the cracked area.

You should know that asphalt surfaces feature a combination of aggregate, sand and tar-like liquid, which is known as bitumen. Then, you can heat it and laid over for between four and eight-inch layer of compactible gravel that will offer you a solid base and proper drainage.

The biggest disadvantage of asphalt is that you cannot do it yourself, especially for the initial installation, meaning you should find professionals to provide you a peace of mind. At the same time, it requires site preparation such as removing old driveway surface, which will increase its expenses.

Installation expenses for asphalt driveway can be reduced in case you decide to partner with neighbor to have both driveways created at the same time. The main idea is to find the same contractor who can purchase it in large quantities, which will help you reduce the expenses.

Concrete

When it comes to driveway paving Anaheim, you should know that concrete is more expensive than asphalt, but you will get one of the most durable paving surfaces available on the market. At the same time, it can be affordable choice in the long run since the surface will stand the test of time. Generally, lifespan of concrete driveways is up to fifty years.

You should know that DIY installation is possible, but it requires knowledge and experience, meaning it is challenging to most people, which is why you should call professional to ensure you get durable and effective driveway. You should include site preparation and removal of old driveway within the budget.

Concrete is a paving surface created by blending cement, water, sand, gravel aggregate and pouring it between forms when wet, meaning you should wait for a certain period for it to get thicker.

Installation is not as simple as it seems, meaning it is labor-intensive and requires creation of sub-base layer, reinforcing concrete with wire mesh or rebar, using wooden forms to hold liquid concrete and carefully smoothing and tooling surface after pouring.

You should know that concrete driveways are perfect when they are new. However, numerous problems can happen as time goes by including grease, oil, mildew, rust and tire marks can make it less appealing. These stains can be removed by using different chemical products and pressure washer.

Gravel

If you wish to take advantage of DIY-friendly material, which is affordable and perfect for rural driveways, you should consider gravel. Most people from areas outside of cities use it because other surfacing options may be more expensive, especially if companies are far away.

You can apply it by dumping it on flattened area, and raking it by using a smooth layer. The process is time-consuming, but it is not challenging as other materials mentioned above. Enter this website: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/advisory_circular/150-5370-14A/150_5370_14a_app1_Introduction.pdf to learn more about asphalt pavement.

Gravel driveways come with certain issues, because they can easily develop potholes, but you can repair them easily afterward. You will get driveway that requires ongoing maintenance, but with regular upkeep, you can use it for hundred years. Of course, you should periodically replenish gravel and add more.

The gravel specifically created for driveways is usually sorted aggregate or crushed rock with pieces that are between one and two inches in diameter. You can spread it over flattened and already prepared base. Besides, you can choose different colors, which depend on the type of rock from the area you reside.

In areas with limestone bedrock, you can take advantage of crushed limestone as a form of gravel driveway. In other areas, you can use crushed granite, which is most common choice. Of course, you can go for smooth pebbles, river gravel and other options available on the market.