Different Types of Driveways
Driveways come in many different styles. The type of driveway that you choose for your home will probably depend upon your budget. There are three main types of driveways. These include asphalt, concrete and block paving.
Asphalt Driveways
Asphalt driveways are the cheapest type of driveway. The process of installing an asphalt driveway is one where you have a bunch of stones delivered and dumped into the area where the driveway is to be. They are then spread out evenly. An asphalt truck then comes and pours tar over the stones. The tar dries very quickly and is then considered asphalt. Most roads have a top layer of tar.
The advantage to having an asphalt driveway is that it is very inexpensive. The disadvantages of owning an asphalt driveway is the maintenance. You have to seal the asphalt every year. If you live in an area where there is a change in climate, then the asphalt will begin to crack in five years. You can tar an tar and the asphalt will still continue to crack. An asphalt driveway only lasts about 15 years until it has to be replaced.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways are a step up from asphalt. This involves the driveway being framed out with boards and requires a cement mixer to pour cement into the area surrounded by the boards. The cement is then smoothed out and scored. Once the cement dries, you have concrete.
The advantages of having concrete driveways include the fast that they look nice, do not feel the heat or cold as does asphalt and last a lot longer. However, it will not be long before the cement starts to crack and you have to replace all or part of the driveway. A concrete driveway will usually last about 20 years at the most, without repairs, in an area where there is a varied climate. They will last longer in areas where it does not get cold. The disadvantage is that this type of driveway is very expensive to replace.
Block Paving
Block paving driveways are the most attractive types of driveways. They are installed by hand, similar to brick laying, only on the ground. The disadvantages of block drives are that they tend to be time consuming to install and cost more than cement and asphalt. The advantages, however, are that they will last hundreds of years more than regular driveways made out of asphalt and concrete.
Advantages of Block Paving
If you want to see how long block driveways last, take a look at some of the older streets in the city where you live and observe the cobblestone. This is just one form of block paving, but it holds up very well. If one of the blocks breaks, it can be repaired without disturbing the other parts of the driveway.
If you are building a new home or thinking about installing a new driveway, consider getting a block paving driveway. Not only do they add beauty and value to your home, but they will last much longer than other types of driveways. Block paving is the best option when it comes to selecting what type driveways.
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