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When considering a driveway material there are several factors to take into account before making your final decision. Resilience, attractiveness, and cost are three things to assess but don’t forget ongoing maintenance and the importance of drainage.
Aesthetics
Your driveway is a large focal point at the front of your property so of course you want it to look nice. A block paved driveway can be laid to form various patterns while gravel comes in a range of colours and hues. Gravel also has a nice rustic aesthetic.
Imprinted concrete driveways combine a less costly driveway material with the option to make it look much more expensive. You can choose a pattern to be stamped into the concrete to mimic other types of materials such as flagstones, brick or pavers. As it is a continuous surface it also reduces the opportunity for weeds to grow.
Durability
A durable driveway is essential not only because you will be parking your car on it but also because this addition to your home will not be cheap and you want it to last. Regardless of which material you choose, you’ll want to make sure that the driveway is going to endure for years to come.
Block paving is one of the most resilient materials as long as it is properly laid and typically stands up well to the weather. Gravel is also tough as is a bonded resin driveway which uses aggregate on a bed of resin to hold it in place. Tarmac and concrete are not as durable particularly if not well laid and can be prone to cracks that can further deteriorate with freeze and thaw cycles.
Maintenance
Gravel is one of the most maintenance-heavy driveway materials as it gets displaced every time a vehicle is driven over it. This means you may need to rake the gravel once a week to keep it in place. Block paving will require weeding as seeds will find their way into the spaces between the pavers and take hold.
Tarmac, concrete, resin bound and resin-bonded driveways are all low-maintenance materials for a driveway but will require regular inspection for cracks or damage.
Cost
A major factor when deciding on a driveway material is the cost. The most inexpensive material is gravel and this also has the advantage of being suitable for DIY installation. Tarmac and concrete are relatively cheap and an imprinted driveway gives a higher-end look without the high-end costs. Imprinted driveway costs vary according to the complexity of the pattern you want.
Block-paved driveways are the most expensive as they require professional installation and a solid foundation. Bonded resin and resin-bound driveways are also on the costly end of the spectrum.
Drainage
Drainage is a highly important consideration when choosing a driveway. If the area of your driveway is more than 5 square metres and you intend to install a non-permeable material such as concrete you’ll need to get planning permission.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) standards were introduced by the government in 2008 to tackle the stress being put on mains drainage from water runoff from commercial and residential properties. Permeable surfaces such as gravel, resin-bound gravel, and new types of porous tarmac and concrete can provide you with an attractive driveway that doesn’t require planning permission and is SuDS compliant.