All About Paver Driveways
Paver Driveway Installation:
Considering a new paver driveway? Which driveway surface is best when choosing between paver, asphalt, concrete and stone material? What type of ongoing maintenance will you face with a paver driveway?
The further North we travel in the United States, the more likely we see asphalt driveways. The further South we travel in the United States, the more likely we see concrete and paver driveways. This is due to the amount of freeze and thaw cycles. Paver driveways can be somewhat pliable since there are so many edges to allow for movement from freeze and thaw cycles, therefore cracking is much less prevalent. But heaving can be an issue since it's much easier for water to reach the sub-grade and then freeze.
Of the 4 types of driveways, a paver driveway is a number 1 on the cost chart! (1 being the most expensive, and 4 being the least expensive!) |
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However, paver driveways require very little, if any ongoing maintenance! That's something to keep in mind when comparing costs of each type of driveway.
Paver driveways require such little ongoing maintenance, that when comparing the up front costs to an asphalt or concrete driveway, essentially you're trading the costs of the ongoing maintenance 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?
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 3 to 5 day period. Paver driveway installation is moderately labor intensive. Most of the work is done manually so you can expect the average paver driveway to take as much as 3 to 5 days before being able to drive on it and use it. |
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Be sure to keep any vehicles from leaking oil or gasoline onto the surface of your paver driveway. Put a piece of wood or cardboard beneath any leaky vehicles.
If you live in a colder climate, the use of salt to thaw ice can be detrimental to the surface of the pavers.
So... how do we choose between a paver driveway and the other 3 types of driveways?
Take into the consideration these things: Budget, curb appeal, the climate you live in, and the amount of ongoing maintenance you would like to limit yourself to. Did we mention the lifetime warranty?
Whether you're looking for a simple paver, interlocking paver, paving stone driveway or help with driveway designs, ... take the guesswork out of hiring the right contractor to install your new paver driveway by visiting our Trusted Contractor Resource Center to find a reliable paver installation contractor!
Paver Driveway Maintenance: Of the 4 types of driveways, a paver driveway requires the least amount of ongoing maintenance! However... when maintenance is needed… it takes extreme skill and can be labor intensive! A properly installed paver driveway with regularly scheduled maintenance can last up to 40 to 50 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. Some pavers come with a lifetime warranty!
Types of maintenance services you can expect to perform on a paver driveway?
Treating oil spots, leveling low or heaved areas, minor weed control, edging, and sealing.
You can find a Paver Products Supplier that we recommend near you!
For more detailed information about the maintenance of paver driveways, enter your name and email address into the form on this page, choose your driveway topic and we’ll send you our library of FREE videos right away!
Check out some Colorful Design Ideas and learn how to spruce up your driveway!
You can also find a reliable Paver Maintenance Contractor by visiting our Trusted Contractor Resource Center |
