Installing driveways is work best left to the pros. But that doesn't mean you should give up all responsibility for how this new fixture in your landscaping will turn out. As is the case whenever you hire professionals to work on your property, you should begin the process of hiring a contractor by seeking out references. But even before you do that, you need to do your homework on the various options for driveway materials.

1) Cost Per Square Foot: $0.50 to $5, depending on the material, layer count, drainage,  and other factors

2) Useful Lifespan: Indefinite with periodic resurfacing

3) Maintenance: Low to moderate

4) DIY Potential: High

Aggregate, or gravel, is the cheapest and most durable of these four common driveway materials. My wife and I chose gravel for our driveway, and we couldn’t have been happier with the result: It cost us less than $300, took a single morning to install, and will last for the remainder of our tenure as homeowners with proper care.

1) Cost Per Square Foot: $7 to $14, depending on the material and other factors

2) Useful Lifespan: 30+ years, depending on climate and use

3) Maintenance: Low

4) DIY Potential: Low

Stone is the most expensive of the four driveway materials in this guide. It’s also arguably the most attractive. Stone blends well with other landscaping and design elements, such as fountains, driveway islands, stone walkways, and xeriscapes.

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Poured concrete driveways are one of the preferred driveways types, offering a permanent low-maintenance driveway. Concrete can be poured to form patterns or sections, allowing for contraction and expansion of concrete. Concrete paved driveways are more expensive than asphalt but they can last for decades without decaying.

Stamped concrete paved driveways are an alternative to plain concrete. Stamped concrete driveways create the impression that a different type of material is used, such as stone, brick or any other construction material. Stamped concrete driveways are created by pressing molds into the concrete while the concrete is still setting. Stamped concrete could also be used on driveways, patios, roads and interior floors.

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You are in the planning stages of having a new driveway installed. In pondering the different types of materials that contractors use, trying to decide on which kind is best for your own unique situation and needs, you wonder why so many homeowners have asphalt as a driveway surface. What are its good points? What are the disadvantages in having this type of surface?

All driveway materials have their pros and cons. Asphalt paving is no different as a surface, in this respect, from any other kind of driveway. There are, however, more good points than bad points in having an asphalt driveway. In fact, there is only one major drawback to report, so let's get that out of the way right away:

Asphalt driveways are relatively high in maintenance. If you have been around a fair amount of asphalt surfaces over the years, observing what happens to them over time, you no doubt know that asphalt has a tendency to crack, unless sealed faithfully.

Read more to know at - Thespruce

Amazing combinations of block paving are now available. Whether your design aspirations are traditional or contemporary the range of colour blends, effects and various sizes of block can really enhance any driveway surface.

What can beat the look of natural stone? Deep real granite tones are hard to beat and some sandstone designs look amazing if a contemporary look is desired. Natural stone can price up as one of the more expensive options, hence the popularity of ‘stone looking’ block paving.

If you’re looking for a wide range of pattern options and choice of unique colour blends then pattern imprinted concrete could be the way to go. Superior strength and durability are the hallmarks of this paving surface which is laid as one ‘monolithic‘ structure! You won’t experience sinkage or weed growth and this is a very low maintenance choice. Longer term maintenance requires the surface to be ‘re-sealed’ every few years to protect colour…and keep it looking Great… visit - Driveway wise to know more.

Whenever you are installing the driveway, remember to use the best driveway materials that are available. The sealing material should also be given due importance as it helps in binding the surface better for long. The motorway is the first impression about your home to a guest so its design and material should be the best.