Driveway Materials, Options & Costs
A new driveway will not only add value to your home by increasing curb appeal but will also aid the long-term durability and longevity of a property that you plan to stay in for years to come. When planning driveway designs you will typically we deciding between four main driveway ideas. Will you design your driveway using concrete, asphalt, gravel or driveway pavers? Although there are only four popular types of driveway materials to choose from, the driveway design possibilities for each material is large.
On this page you will find general information for the most common and popular driveway materials, with links to more driveway ideas and buyers guides.
Jump to: Paver Driveways | Concrete Driveways | Asphalt Driveways | Gravel Driveway | Latest Articles
Regardless of the type of new driveway you choose, they are most often installed by a professional contractor. However, some repairs and even driveway replacements can be completed by homeowners if they have a good knowledge of proper installation techniques or have experience completing this type of project.
Your driveway cost will vary wildly depending on which type of material you choose, so be sure to also check out our price guides too. With all kinds of driveway the correct preparation and installation of the base, with proper grading and drainage are key.
PAVER DRIVEWAYS
Typically the most expensive type of driveway, but also the most attractive and varied, paver driveways are a class above the rest. Choose between different paver materials (concrete, brick and natural stone), dozens of color variations and a variety of shapes and sizes. No matter what type of home you have there will be a paver driveway to match your style.
Our core guides will give you a clear understanding of the options and costs of installing driveway pavers:
CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS:
Along with asphalt (see below), concrete is one of the most popular materials for new driveway designs. Durable and affordable concrete is a great option is correctly installed and sealed by reputable concrete driveway contractors. And there are more concrete driveway design options than you may think. Yes, you can have a simple grey slab of poured concrete, but different colors and textures, as well as shapes and patterns cut into the surface, can all be used to create very different styles to suite the specific exterior designs of your home and its location.
Design ideas for concrete driveways can include styles as diverse as modern or traditional and rustic or coastal. Here are some core guides to help you discover the full potential of concrete driveways:
ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS:
You may not feel very inspired by the idea of an asphalt driveway. Asphalt or backtop, tarmac, macadam or whatever you want to call it, isn’t especially impressive on its own, but when installed alongside decorative landscaping can look very attractive. Furthermore asphalt’s low cost installation, replacement and repair make it the most popular driveway idea alongside concrete.
GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS:
Gravel and crushed stone driveways are the cheapest and quickest to install, with correct grading and drainage being the most important installation factors. There are various driveway gravel types, including pea gravel, decomposed gravel (DG), crushed stone, washed clean stone and even marble chips. They come in a variety of colors allowing for some very attractive design ideas.
LATEST ARTICLES ABOUT DRIVEWAYS
Our latest home owner guides to driveways, driveway maintenance and care, and just about everything in between.
DRIVEWAY MAINTENANCE
DRIVEWAY IDEAS