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Driveway Paver
Driveway Pavers Long Island creates a dramatic first impression, whether you’re greeting guests at the door or taking the kids to school. They’re also durable and easy to repair.
You can choose a contemporary, traditional or stone-textured style from multiple Belgard paver options. You’ll want to consider your aesthetic preference and pick up design details from your home to make the look cohesive.
Paver driveways are a unique way to add curb appeal and value to your home. Unlike traditional asphalt or concrete, pavers offer a wide variety of colors and textures that can complement any architectural style. Brick pavers in warm earth tones and herringbone patterns are perfect for colonial-style homes, while modern concrete pavers in minimalist shades pair well with contemporary homes. Paver borders, accents, and banding also serve to delineate the edges of a driveway, leading guests to your front door.
Driveway pavers can be installed in a variety of laying patterns, allowing you to create a design that matches the style and personality of your home. Herringbone patterns are classic and durable, while running bond designs offer a clean, simplistic look suitable for longer driveways. Basketweave and ashlar patterns use pairs of rectangular pavers in alternating directions to create a woven or basket-like effect. These patterns add visual interest and texture to a driveway while still providing good interlock.
If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, consider permeable pavers. These paving materials allow water to flow through the surface, reducing pollution and preventing flooding. They’re a popular choice for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining the beauty of their landscaping.
Choosing the right paver materials and pattern can also help extend the life of your driveway. Durable, weather-resistant pavers are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and heavy traffic without cracking or fading. They’re also easier to repair than standard concrete when a paver does eventually wear out.
When designing your driveway, take time to browse paver driveway images to get ideas and inspiration for your project. Then, choose a primary color that complements your roof and accent color(s) for the border. Finally, select a contrasting laying pattern for the border to create a distinct aesthetic.
In addition to enhancing curb appeal, pavers can also add functionality to your driveway by improving safety and limiting erosion. For example, paver grid systems like TRUEGRID PRO LITE allow for easy installation of gravel or other surface material, making it a great option for areas that experience frequent rainfall or snowmelt. They also allow for a more even surface, helping to prevent tire damage and improve overall stability.
Durability
Paver driveways have a high durability rating compared to traditional concrete or asphalt, making them an excellent choice for Texas’ climate and the heavy traffic they must withstand. However, their longevity also depends on the type of pavers used, installation process, and maintenance routines.
When compared to a conventional poured concrete or blacktop driveway, paver driveways are less likely to crack as long as the proper base is installed and they aren’t subjected to freeze-thaw cycles that can cause damage. Additionally, paver driveways are easier to repair than other types of drives because they can be removed and replaced without disrupting the whole surface.
While concrete and asphalt can be stained or damaged by oil spills, this is rarely an issue with paver driveways as the individual stones are easy to replace and clean. They also hold up well against inclement weather, like hail and snow, whereas other types of drives are susceptible to cracking.
The paver material also affects the driveway’s durability, with concrete and brick pavers lasting up to a century or more when properly maintained. Natural stone pavers such as granite and bluestone are another option that can last for over a hundred years if properly cared for.
Maintaining a paver driveway includes routine cleaning and resealing to prevent the material from fading or losing its vibrancy. Sealing frequency varies depending on traffic levels and environmental conditions, with high-traffic driveways needing to be resealed more often than low-traffic areas. Inspecting the pavers regularly is essential for recognizing signs of wear and tear that might necessitate resealing.
Driveway pavers offer flexibility when it comes to design, with patterns being able to be arranged in a variety of ways. This versatility means a driveway can be designed to suit any taste and complement the surrounding landscape and architecture. For example, a herringbone pattern is great for creating focal points and can be utilized as a transitional element between the driveway and the rest of the lawn.
Other options to consider when designing a paver driveway are border accents, which can create an appealing contrast with the rest of the surface. Circle kits are another way to add a design touch and can be used for Romanesque or contemporary styles.
Climate Control
Unlike solid concrete or asphalt driveways, which can crack and pit under pressure, pavers flex and expand to accommodate seasonal temperature changes. They can also withstand freeze-thaw cycles.
Paver driveways provide a unique, customizable appearance with style cues to complement your home. Whether you choose a color to match the roof color or use a herringbone pattern to achieve an elegant, traditional style, a custom paver driveway will enhance your property’s curb appeal.
A paver driveway is a great choice for areas prone to puddling, which can damage the surface and lead to potholes. These surfaces are designed to allow water to flow back into the natural groundwater table, which helps prevent flooding and erosion.
In addition to helping with water drainage, permeable paving solutions like TRUEGRID can be used for snow removal and are safer than ice-melting chemicals or salts. They are a great alternative to a gravel driveway, which can washout under heavy traffic and requires frequent maintenance.
While the upfront cost of a paver driveway is typically higher than a standard asphalt or concrete driveway, it’s important to consider your long-term costs. Over time, the paver driveway will require less maintenance, resulting in savings on materials and labor costs. Additionally, the durability of a paver driveway means it will last longer than other types of pavement.
When choosing a color for your paver driveway, current trends lean toward using pavers that tie in with the roof color of your house to create a harmonious look. You can also incorporate contrasting colors or a different laying pattern to create borders and other design elements. Decorative pavers such as Holland stones feature chamfered edges to add a dramatic flair and Catalina Grana pavers have crisp, clean lines that can bring a contemporary style to any landscape.
In addition to enhancing the overall curb appeal of your property, a paver driveway can increase your home’s value and make it more appealing to potential buyers. It’s important to discuss your design options with a professional who can answer any questions and recommend the best solution for your property.
Snow Removal
While you do want to be careful with your snow removal equipment because pavers are not as smooth and slippery as other types of paving materials, a paver driveway is no more difficult to shovel or plow than an asphalt or concrete lot. You just need to be mindful of where your plow or shovel is going, not trying to scrape the actual surface of the pavers. This will help them last longer, look better and also allow you to avoid damage to the interlocking system that makes them so effective at mitigating snow.
Many municipal governments encourage pervious pavement systems so that melt water can pass through, instead of overloading storm sewers and adding pollutants to local water reserves. They often reward homeowners with a rebate for installing these types of paving systems.
You can further protect your paved surface from damage by regularly applying de-icing pellets. These are especially helpful for walkways that see heavy use as they allow you to control the amount of ice that forms and prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Make sure to only use de-icing products that are safe for your paving material. Most manufacturers recommend staying away from rock salt because it is corrosive and can damage pavers. Unilock, for instance, recommends calcium based ice melt products as they do not harm their surfaces.
If you choose to include borders with your paved surface, you’ll want to be careful not to create too many sharp corners as this can result in pavers shifting and eventually breaking apart. You’ll also want to pay attention to the color, texture and laying pattern of these borders.
You’ll also want to keep bulky items off your paved surfaces as much as possible as these can cause sunken spots that can look bad and be very expensive to repair, especially during the freeze-thaw cycle of winter. Redirect any items that are on or near your paved surface into a landscaped bed if possible, this will also reduce the amount of water that flows around and over them, which is one of the fastest ways to ruin pavers.