When hiring a contractor to pave your driveway, they must be experienced, knowledgeable, and attentive to detail. Ask them for references from recent jobs and visit them to observe their work in person. Check out https://drivewaypavingcharleston.com/ to find the perfect driveway for your home. Paved driveways add value to a home, improve safety for pedestrians and cars, and require less maintenance than unpaved ones.
Paving your driveway impacts your home’s curb appeal, provides a safe walking and driving surface, and is a long-term investment. Homeowners have a wide range of design options, allowing each to select a material and style that best suits their aesthetic and performance needs.
Concrete pavers are popular because they resist heaving caused by frost and can be laid in various textures, colors, and patterns. They can be combined with gravel or sand to improve permeability and allow rainwater to soak into the ground rather than running off the surface.
Asphalt paving is another option, providing a durable and affordable driving surface. It requires periodic resealing, though. It can also crack and dislodge over time, so a properly prepared base is essential to longevity.
Brick and cobblestone are a classic choice for a driveway and can be used in various ways to add character to the entry landscape. They can be used in a herringbone pattern, which is effective for residential driveways, or in a running bond or basketweave, which works well for heavier traffic areas.
Block paving is an alternative to concrete pavers and can be laid similarly. It is more flexible and can accommodate a wider range of styles, including circular designs, because it has gaps between blocks. Block paving can be laid in a standard brick or herringbone pattern but is often found in more creative strategies to create visual interest.
Another option for creating a unique design is to use borders or bands of pavers that differ in color, texture, or size from the rest of the project. It can be done in a single band or throughout the entire paving to create a pattern that is distinctively your own.
Using a mix of different pavers creates a more organic storybook look, like in this Nantucket driveway designed by Elizabeth Goergantas. Choosing precast concrete pavers made to look like bricks saved the homeowner money by avoiding the cost of custom-made stone and provided the opportunity for a subtle variation in tone to match the home’s overall palette.
There are several materials to choose from when paving your driveway, each with advantages and disadvantages. The material you select for your driveway will affect how much it costs, its maintenance requirements, weather resistance, and more. Research which material is right for you and consult a professional to ensure the installation is done correctly.
Asphalt is a popular choice for driveway paving because it’s affordable and durable. It also has an attractive finish resistant to cracks and other damage. However, asphalt is prone to rock salt and ice melt damage, so it’s important to maintain your driveway regularly.
If you want a longer-lasting and more appealing surface, consider cobblestones. These unique stones are great for paved driveways and can be installed in various patterns. They’re also more durable than brick or concrete pavers and can withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Cobblestones are also more expensive than other paving options, but they’re worth the investment for their beauty and durability.
Before your paving project begins, the area must be cleared out and leveled. It will include removing any existing structures, trees, or soil. Once the site is ready, a layer of aggregate will be added for stability and support. Then, a binder layer is added, made of a larger sum mixed with oil. This layer is designed to add strength and durability to the top asphalt layer. After this, a proof roll will be laid to ensure the underlying surface is strong enough to hold your new pavement.
Once the sub-base is in place, your paving contractor will lay out the asphalt and create a smooth, even surface. The asphalt will be heated and compacted, and your paving company may use a vibratory roller to help it set and harden. Once it’s complete, your paving company will repair any soft spots and smooth out the surface before it’s ready for use.
Many of the 75 million driveways in the United States are worn out and showing their age. They have cracks, heaving, spalling, and other signs of wear and tear that may make them unsafe to drive on. Some of these can be repaired with new asphalt or a new layer of pavers. The site’s square footage and selected material usually determine the cost. In addition, excavation, grading, and drainage systems can add to the total cost.
Paving stones should be laid over a properly prepared base for a smooth, durable surface. A concrete or paver installation crew will remove existing paving materials and clear the area where the new material will be placed. If the driveway slopes towards the house, a drainage system should be installed to help prevent water from pooling and damaging the foundation. It should be done before any paving work begins.
Pavers can be made from brick, cobblestone, rubber, porcelain, marble and travertine. They come in various colors, shapes, and sizes to match the home and landscape. Pavers are also available in a porous form that lets the ground absorb rainwater rather than run off into sewer or storm drains.
For any paving project, a permit should be obtained from the local building department before the work starts. The building code dictates standards that the contractors must follow to ensure quality artistry and materials. When a contractor has to adhere to these standards, it is less likely that they will cut corners and produce subpar results.
After the base is installed and compacted, the interlocking paver stones are placed over it. Once the pavers are set, a gravel finish is added for durability and to fill the gaps between each stone. A motorized plate compactor can further compress and flatten the surface. A weed barrier can also be added around the edge of the paver driveway for an attractive finish that keeps weeds from growing and potentially pulling up the stone surface.
Whether you choose an asphalt or paver driveway, a professional installation crew can complete the job in much less time than you could do on your own. The spring and summer are the best seasons to install a new asphalt driveway because the warm weather provides good working conditions for the crew. Before beginning the project, call 811 or your local dig line to have all utility lines located and marked before any digging occurs.
While a freshly paved driveway provides wonderful curb appeal and makes a great first impression, it can deteriorate quickly due to vehicle traffic, extreme weather conditions like sun and freezing temperatures, road salt, engine oil and gasoline, and other environmental factors. Cracks, potholes, and other damages detract from your home’s beauty and pose safety hazards. If your driveway shows signs of aging, contact a professional paving company for repair services.
Paving contractors use heavy equipment to prepare the site, remove any existing surface, level, grade the area, and install the new asphalt or paving material. The contractor will survey the property to locate underground pipes or utility lines and flag them for removal or protection. If the old pavement is made of concrete or pavers, a demolition and removal service may be needed before the installation begins.
In addition to repairing cracks, your professional paving contractor can perform several other maintenance tasks to keep your driveway looking its best. They will clean out and fill in any hairline gaps before they get worse. They will also apply a sealant to the pavement. It is an inexpensive step that should be done at least every other year and helps to prevent water from penetrating the surface and causing oxidation and erosion.
If your driveway is made of pavers, it should be sealed with a high quality product designed specifically for the material. It will help it hold up against the elements, traffic, stains, and general wear and tear better than a generic sealant. Other routine maintenance for paver driveways includes removing weeds growing between the pavers and regularly pressure cleaning them.
While you can do a lot to maintain your own asphalt or paver driveway, it is important to have regular visual inspections performed by a professional. It can catch problems before they become serious, such as heaving, sinking, and other structural issues. They can also spot problems that need repair, such as drainage issues or soil instability. If your paved driveway requires repairs, you should work with a professional company to complete them as soon as possible to minimize damage and potential safety hazards.