|
Driveway Pavers Introduction | Material | Installation | Maintenance
Driveway Pavers Climatic Issues
When installed correctly, driveway pavers have joints that can expand and contract when the ground freezes, and also withstand the high heat of summer, all virtually maintenance free. The climate and type of soil under the base determines the thickness of the base. Cold regions with fine clay or silt require a thicker base than well-drained soil in a warm climate. Use crushed rock for the base material, it is the same material often used as base under roads.
Driveway Material Selection - Concrete or Brick
Pavers come in a variety of material compositions and colors, and what you do with them is limited only by your imagination. When installed and maintained correctly, concrete pavers last up to 20 years for driveway applications, whereas stone and brick drives can last well beyond 25 years.
Concrete Driveway Pavers
Driveway pavers are available in three basic material compositions. First, is concrete pavers, they are manufactured of concrete and an aggregate of materials. Concrete pavers give the impression of a stone driveway at a lower cost.
Some of the benefits of using Concrete Pavers for your Driveway project include;
- Concrete Pavers are very easy to install onto a driveway
- Concrete Pavers will not crack like a concrete slab would, for the joints allow the pavers some movement
- The design possibilities are endless, with many choices in color, sizes, shapes, patterns and designs
- Concrete Pavers are three times as strong as poured concrete
- They can withstand the effects of harsh weather conditions
|
|
The benefits of using Brick Pavers as your driveway material are:
- Brick Pavers can support heavy loads
- No cracking involved, due to the allocation of movement in paver joints
- Brick Pavers can be repaired easily, which means lower costs involved for the long term
- Brick Pavers have a non-slip surface, giving them a safety advantage
- Brick Pavers are easy to install
- Relatively low maintenance involved
- Brick Pavers maintain their color for longer, because they are made from natural clay materials
|
|
Brick Driveway Pavers
Secondly, there are brick pavers, they are made from clay and shale materials and cost slightly more than concrete pavers due to their higher material cost and manufacturing process.
Natural Stone Driveway Pavers
Thirdly, the most expensive option is natural pavers, such as driveway pavers and sandstone pavers, these are quarried as pieces of natural rock and then cut into paver shapes. Natural stone pavers are more difficult to install yet they have a classical appearance. |
|
|
