How To Add Curb Appeal With The Best Driveway Design

When we think of driveway pavers, our minds tend to gravitate towards two extremes: either crazy slate stone patterns or perfect, silky-smooth concrete like the kind you'd see at an airport.

Unfortunately, neither style makes for a great option for the average home, and can even affect the value of your property.

Driveways are an essential component of every home, something that gives an immediate first impression to friends and family.. but they can be quite the headache.

There's so much to consider when designing your driveway or carport, like:

• How much more do brick pavers cost compared to concrete pavers?

• What is the difference between brick and gravel?

• How much does a driveway renovation cost?

In this blog post, we’re going to discuss the various types of pavers you could consider for some beautiful and functional driveway design ideas. Our ShrubHub experts are here to tell you which ones are better for your property and which ones you should avoid, so read on!

Poured Concrete Driveway

The first paver on our list is the most popular one— Concrete! Concrete is a strong, reliable, and durable material that can be used in a variety of applications.

From sidewalks to driveways, concrete is extremely versatile and available in many colors and designs. It’s also an excellent choice for use around your home because it won’t rot, fade or become discolored as other materials can.

However, if you live in an area where there’s frequent rain or snow (or both) you may want to consider another type of driveway material instead of concrete since it can absorb water and become damaged over time. (Or you can weatherproof your concrete, but that adds another layer of stress and another bill you might not want to deal with.)

Another thing to keep in mind about concrete driveways: they tend to cost more than other materials such as asphalt or gravel.

This type of driveway also requires professional installation; if done improperly, it can crack easily due to improper curing or settling issues after installation.

Concrete Interlocking Pavers

Interlocking pavers are a popular choice for entrances and pathways. They’re easy to install, they look great, and their durability is outstanding.

We recommend you pick a different option if you’ve got a bunch of trees planted near your garage - the trees' roots will tear up your pavers.

If you think interlocking pavers would be a good option for your driveway, here are some pros:

• Easy installation. Interlocking pavers can be laid out without mortar or glue; they just lock together on their own!

• Durable surface material ensures no weeds grow through cracks in the pavement like with asphalt surfaces - this means less maintenance is required overtime.

However, there are a few things to consider when installing interlocking pavers:

• Make sure they are properly interlocked, otherwise, weed and moss will grow between the cracks and spread like wildfire.

• Avoid regular cleaning because that will cause sand to get washed out, creating gaps.

• Make sure you have a proper drainage system.

• Don’t choose interlocking pavers if you don’t have strong solid ground underneath the pavers. This will cause them to collapse over time.

• Interlocking pavers are not made for high-traffic or heavy loads, so they aren’t recommended for farmhouses or warehouses.

Stamped Concrete Driveway Ideas

Stamped concrete is another popular option for an attractive driveway. This design can be personalized to fit your home’s style and personality, so it’s often a great choice if you want something that’s more unique than standard asphalt or concrete.

Stamped concrete is also very durable—and it often doesn’t need sealing, which results in less maintenance work for years to come!

But there are some downsides to stamped concrete: because of its smooth finish and porous surface, it can collect dirt easily. You may have to sweep your driveway more often than with other types of driveways (like asphalt).

Brick Pavers

Pavers are a hot trend in driveway design to increase curb appeal for homes with a modern aesthetic these days, and for good reason.  They have a natural look, are easy to install, and come in a wide variety of colors to choose from.

What makes them especially popular is that they can be used to create a brick walkway or outdoor living area. Because of these qualities, brick pavers are used more and more in commercial projects as well as residential properties.

Here are some of the pros of using brick pavers:

• Brick pavers are durable and long-lasting.

• The quality of the material makes them resistant and increases their durability.

• They can be installed quickly and easily by yourself or with help from friends or family members who have experience working with masonry products.

• Brick pavers are a good choice if you want an aesthetically pleasing surface for your driveway.

• They’re also more affordable than other options like concrete or asphalt.

On the downside, brick pavers can grow weed over time and they require regular maintenance. They also require resealing after each wash to prevent cracks and weed growth.

Brick pavers also require more space than some other types of materials because they’re thicker than most other options.

Marble Pavers

Marble is a beautiful stone that has been used for centuries. They have been used for flooring, walls, and many other purposes.

They are perfect for those who want to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to their home's exterior. They can be used in both modern and traditional settings, giving you the freedom to choose the style that best suits your home's design.

On one hand, marble pavers offer a wide range of advantages over other paving materials. The biggest pro is that they look amazing. The smooth texture and light color make them very appealing to the eye.

They're also extremely long-lasting and require very little maintenance. You can expect them to last for decades with proper care and upkeep.

And because they have a high resistance to weathering, marble pavers don't fade or discolor as other materials do over time.

On the other hand, one biggest drawbacks of marble pavers is that they are expensive compared to other materials such as concrete or brick. The cost of installation can also be high due to their weight and size.

Bluestone Pavers

Bluestones are a type of natural stone that is mined from one location in Pennsylvania. Their blue color comes from the iron content within the stone which makes them unique and eye-catching.

The main advantage of using bluestone pavers is that they can withstand lots of use without showing signs of wear or tear. This makes them perfect for use on patios, decks, or walkways that receive heavy traffic every day but also need to look good at all times during the year.

Although some people may argue that installing bluestone pavers is not as simple as installing concrete pavers because they require mortar between each individual piece of stone, once installed you will find that these stones are much easier to maintain.

Flagstone Pavers

Flagstones are flat stones that are used to create a decorative walkway. They are a timeless material for any outdoor space.

They are usually installed in the same way as regular stone pavers, but the difference is that they have a flat surface instead of the more traditional rounded edges.

Flagstone pavers are a great option for both modern and farmhouse homes because their simplistic design blends well with any type of landscape. They also come in many different sizes and colors so you can find exactly what you need for your project.

Here are some of the reasons why some people might prefer Flagstone over other hardscaping designs:

• Flagstone Pavers come in a variety of colors and textures.

• They are durable and long-lasting, with minimal maintenance required.

• You can create many creative driveway designs with flagstone that fits your style.

The only disadvantage of using this type of pacer is that they do not offer the same level of protection from friction as other types of pavers; so they may need to be replaced more often.

Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt driveways are the cheapest option, but don’t let their affordability fool you: asphalt driveways are still durable and easy to repair.

It performs equally well in all weather conditions: from freezing cold winters to scorching hot summers, asphalt is an option that'll last you many years to come.

These driveways have some disadvantages though. They tend to fade over time and require regular maintenance such as seal coating or repainting. They can also be slippery when wet so it's important to use non-skid additives when laying down the asphalt.

Additionally, asphalt isn't as aesthetically pleasing as other choices—it doesn't have any pattern or color variation.

Gravel Driveway

This is another popular choice for driveways, especially in rural areas. It’s inexpensive, easy to install, and can be used in areas with low traffic.

Before making the decision to go for a gravel driveway, you should consider some of its pros and potential drawbacks.

Here are some of the pros of using gravel:

• It's inexpensive when compared to other materials used for driveways and walkways.

• You can expect to pay about $1 per square foot for a gravel installation, compared with roughly $2 per square foot for asphalt and $4 per square foot for concrete.

• Gravel driveways also don't require much maintenance — just regular sweeping after heavy rains — which can save you money on professional services.

Gravel has some downsides that may make it less appealing than other choices. It's not very durable on its own; though it's resistant to freezing temperatures, it tends to shift over time because it doesn't have any adhesive properties.

That means it needs grading and leveling throughout the year. Grading refers to periodically removing excess dirt from around your driveway so that water doesn't pool there and erode away at the surface.

Hardscaping Design For Your Home's Architectural Style

There you have it—our list of the top ten driveway types and designs. As we’ve seen, each type has its own set of pros and cons, so now it’s time to make a decision based on your needs and preferences.

If you still have questions about which type is right for you, contact the experts at ShrubHub.com today!

We would be happy to provide additional information or answer any questions that may arise during the process of choosing an appropriate driveway material type for your home.

ShrubHub.com