Types of Driveway Paving

Driveways come in all shapes and sizes and are essential for every building.  The types of materials used for driveways are also diverse and which type of paving you use in your project will primarily be based on cost, location, size, climate, aesthetics and maintenance. All of these should be included in your decision process as well as your personal taste and availability of product in your area.

Common Driveway Paving Materials

Asphalt

Asphalt produces a solid driveway surface. It is a petroleum product mixed with aggregate and is mostly commonly black.  It is also referred to as “tar” and is very common in driveways as well as roads. Asphalt driveways are nearly always installed by a contractor that is experienced in asphalt paving. Asphalt is a readily available product and produces a smooth solid surface that is good for entertaining, playing (riding bikes, bouncing balls) as well as driving. It is a good option for colder climates as it makes snow and ice removal easier.  Repairs to asphalt cracks or holes are typically easier to make than with concrete.  Asphalt is a more economical option for a solid surface driveway (less expensive than concrete or pavers.) Asphalt is normally black, rather industrial looking and not as beautiful as other driveway options. As it is a black petroleum product, it retains heat and can get very hot and soft in hot climates.  It also requires regular maintenance and must be sealed every three to five years. 

Concrete

Concrete produces a solid surface driveway.  It is a manmade product that includes cement, ash, aggregate, sand, chemicals and water.  Concrete driveways are normally poured and installed by contractor but can be installed by a homeowner that has some experience in working with concrete. Concrete is a readily available product that is available in a variety of natural colors and it can be tinted. It can be used with brick, pavers and many styles of edging for an upscale look.  It is very long lasting and does not require as much labor-intensive maintenance as asphalt. The biggest problems with concrete are that it is more expensive than asphalt and the repairs are also costly.  In cold climates, concrete breaks and cracks from frost heaves and erodes from road salt. 

Loose Stone

Loose stone driveways can be natural or manmade stones.  It comes in numerous shapes and sizes. It can be installed by a homeowner with minimal tools and equipment. Stone is readily available in nearly all areas and it gives a very natural look.  There are many, many choices of colors to suit your building and mindscape.  Stone driveways provide good drainage for areas that are wet.  It is a inexpensive driveway paving option.  Repairs and maintenance are usually easy and not costly.  Loose stone driveways last a very long time if maintained. Loose stone driveways are more difficult to shovel or plow for snow removal than on solid surface driveways. Depending on climate and usage, the loose stone driveway may need additional stone every two to five years.

Other Driveway Paving Materials

Tar and Chip (Macadam)

Tar and chip driveways are made of loose stones poured on top of hot asphalt.  It produces a solid but rough surface.  Tar and chip driveways are installed by experienced contractors but homeowners can often make repairs themselves. Like stone, tar and chip offers a choice of colors and provides good drainage.  It requires very little maintenance and is usually easy to repair.  One of the main advantages to tar and chip driveways are their low cost. Depending on your location, it is often hard to find a contractor to install tar and chip driveways.  Although it provides very good traction on slippery or icy conditions, it is also difficult to shovel or plow snow.

Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete is a solid surface made of the same material as poured concrete but it has a pattern or design “stamped” into it for aesthetic reasons. It usually is installed by a contractor. Stamped concrete carries all the same advantages of poured concrete but it is also customizable and more aesthetically pleasing than standard poured concrete. Stamped concrete has all of the same disadvantages of poured concrete (erodes from road salt, cracks and heaves in very cold climates) and it is even more difficult to repair. It is also more expensive to install that poured concrete.

Driveway Pavers

Driveway pavers are blocks of concrete, brick, natural stone or cobblestone that are laid out in a pattern to produce a flat surface driveway.  Pavers are often combined with other products for price and aesthetic reasons.  Pavers can be installed by a homeowner with some moderate skill and tools.Pavers are beautiful and have many choices for color, style and design.  There are numerous creative options to match landscaping and building styles.  Pavers require very low maintenance and repairs are generally easy.  With regular minimal maintenance, a driveway made of pavers will last several decades. Pavers are certainly a more expensive material than other options and installation requires more labor and time.   

Grass Pavers

Grass pavers are made of plastic or concrete with holes in it for soil and grass growth.  These can be installed by professional as well as homeowners. Grass pavers provide great drainage and are an excellent choice for areas that flood, have water issues or need to prevent soil erosion.  They add green grass but provide00 support for vehicles and foot traffic.  Grass pavers are a nice choice for a more natural look. Repairs are generally easy and low maintenance Grass pavers are moderately expensive if installed by a contractor and are not attractive options for arid climates that have difficultly growing grass or other vegetation. It may be difficult to shovel or plow snow with grass pavers as it will tear up the grass and they are suitable for areas that need road salt in the winter.