All About Paver Driveways

Looking for driveway ideas? Considering a new driveway? Which driveway surface is best when choosing between paver, asphalt, concrete pavers and gravel? What are the benefits of a paver driveway vs asphalt or paver pavers? What type of ongoing maintenance does a paver driveway require compared to an asphalt driveway, concrete paver driveway or gravel driveway? These are all things to consider when shopping for a new driveway.

Concrete Paver Driveways

The further South we travel in the United States, the more likely we see concrete and concrete paver driveways. The further North we travel in the United States, the more likely we see asphalt driveways. This is due to the amount of freeze and thaw cycles that occur in the colder regions.

Paver driveways can be somewhat pliable since there are so many edges to allow for movement from freeze and thaw cycles, therefore cracking rarely happens. But heaving can become an issue since it's much easier for water to reach the sub-grade and freeze and thaw. Keep in mind also, that if you live in a snowy region, shoveling paver driveways can be a chore as there are many edges to catch a shovel on! Concrete pavers are also extremely durable against salt and magnesium chloride chemicals.

Depending on the size and scope of work involved, the construction of a new paver driveway can be installed by an experienced paver installation contractor generally over a 5 to 7 day period, depending on the size. Paver driveway installation is very labor intensive. Most of the work is done manually so you can expect the average paver driveway to take as much as 5 to 7 days before being able to drive on it and use it

Cost Chart:

Concrete Paver Driveway - #1 - Most Expensive

Concrete Driveway - #2

Asphalt Driveway - #3

Gravel Driveway - #4 - Least Expensive

A paver driveway is the most expensive driveway when comparing it to the other hard surfaces.

Ongoing Maintenance Chart:

Gravel Driveway - #1 - Most Ongoing Maintenance

Asphalt Driveway - #2

Concrete Driveway - #3

Concrete Paver Driveway - #4 - Least Ongoing Maintenance

A paver driveway requires the least amount of ongoing maintenance, compared to the other hard surface driveways.

Life Expectancy Of A Paver Driveway

A properly installed paver driveway with regularly scheduled maintenance can last up to 30 or even 40 years! That variation in age can be determined by the stability of the sub-grade, the quality of the installation, the type and frequency of maintenance, and the climate you live in.

Types of ongoing maintenance services you can expect to perform on a paver driveway?

Cleaning oil spots, minor weed control, edging, and sealing

Paver driveways require such little ongoing maintenance, that when comparing the up front costs to an asphalt or concrete driveway, essentially what you're doing is trading the long term ongoing maintenance costs over the lifetime of an asphalt, concrete or stone driveway for the up front cost of the installation of a paver driveway. Some paver installation contractors even offer a lifetime warranty! But keep in mind that a company's warranty is only as good as the contractor that's installing it. What good is a lifetime warranty if the contractor who installed it isn't around to make good on it?

Choosing The Right Driveway For Your Home

When choosing between a paver driveway and the other three types of driveways, take into the consideration these things:

Budget - Curb Appeal - Climate - Little or No Ongoing Maintenance

If the short term, up front cost is a deciding factor, gravel driveways or asphalt driveways are excellent, low cost options, depending on the size of your driveway. The long term trade off however, is more ongoing maintenance costs. If up front costs are not as much of an important factor and aesthetics are, then concrete driveways or concrete paver driveways are the alternative for a hard surface driveway. While initially the up front costs are much higher, long term they require less maintenance costs.

Also take into consideration the effects of a concrete paver driveway if it's not maintained properly or how it can look as it ages.

Concrete Paver Driveways can be a beautiful addition to your home. The wide variety of different colors and patterns to choose from can give your driveway a unique, one of a kind look. See some different Colorful Design Ideas for Concrete Paver Driveways for more examples!

If you're considering having a new paver driveway installed, see our Paver Driveway Installation FAQ's section for more information.

You can also learn more about the ongoing maintenance of a paver driveway by visiting our Paver Driveway Maintenance FAQ's section!

Before you hire a contractor to install or perform maintenance on your paver driveway, be sure and review our video and eBook series, "The Most Common Ways Paver Driveway Contractors Rip Us Off And How To Avoid Them" TM You'll learn everything you need to know to hire a reputable paver contractor and get the job done right.

Or save time and take the guesswork out of hiring a paver contractor to install or maintain your paver driveway and request an estimate from one of our Trusted Paver Driveway Contractors in your area!

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