Finding The Best Driveway For Your Landscape
There are many options for driveways these days. While this can be a great thing, as it ensures that there is certainly going to be a surface that perfectly aligns with your home and lifestyle, it can also make it complicated. Renovating your home can be a complex process, and the added pressure of finding the best driveway makes it more so.
At S&D Paving, we have been installing driveways for over a decade and provide a range of solutions. We understand how difficult it can be for our clients to decide what surfacing they want, and frequently guide them through this process. Using this experience, we are making it easier for all potential clients to find the best driveway for their homes.
In this post, we are sharing everything you need to know about some of the most popular types of driveways to help you make an informed decision for your home.
What Are The Most Popular Types Of Driveways?
A good place to start when trying to find the best driveway for your home is considering what other people are doing. While no two homes are the same, this can be a great way to narrow down your options and see what is currently on the market.
We offer several types of driveways, each offering its own benefits based on your home, budget and lifestyle:
Block Paving Driveways
Block paving driveways are a classic and remain highly popular due to their versatility and durability. Block paving is a hard-wearing material which means driveways will last a long time and can withstand repeated use of heavy vehicles.
As each block is individually installed, any repairs that may be required over time are easy and cheap to do. The broken blocks need to be replaced, which can be done without disrupting the entire driveway. This individual installation is also useful in the design of block paving driveways, as it allows for custom designs and shapes. You can create a stunningly bespoke driveway using this material, which is why it is one of the best driveway types.
Block paving can complement both traditional and contemporary properties, and our expert installers can help create the look that best complements your home.
Due to the gaps in between each block, albeit small, these driveways are permeable to prevent flooding and water issues. While the driveways are fairly low maintenance, there is a risk of weeds growing in between these gaps so some care is needed seasonally to prevent this.
Resin Driveways
Resin driveways are one of the best driveway solutions for modern homes due to their sleek, seamless style. Like block paving, there are options for resin driveways to be customised as aggregates come in multiple colours.
Resin driveways are formed using natural aggregates, which are often made from recycled materials, and a resin bond which creates a hard-wearing surface. Installation of these driveways is quick and easy, as they can be poured over any kind of foundation. Resin is also quick curing, so you can access your new driveway within a matter of hours or days, based on the size of the landscape.
Resin driveways are permeable and weed-resistant, making them incredibly low maintenance all throughout the year. Simple cleaning to remove stains and debris is all that is required with resin driveways. Although the initial installation cost of these driveways can be quite high, they are long-lasting and therefore a worthwhile investment.
Concrete Driveways
In terms of longevity and durability, concrete is one of the best driveway solutions. These driveways are incredibly hard-wearing, making them ideal for heavy-traffic areas.
This durability means concrete driveways are also low maintenance, which is ideal for busy family homes or those without the desire to care for their landscape without compromising the appearance. Although concrete driveways do not have the same design options as block paving and resin, they still look good with a simple, seamless design.
Another reason why concrete is the best driveway option for many homes is how affordable it is. This is one of the most cost-effective driveway solutions that is not only cheap to install, but will also last a long time to help you avoid additional costs in the future.
What Is The Best Driveway For Me?
Now you have an understanding of the popular driveway options and the benefits each one provides, it is time to consider which is the best driveway for your home. You can do this with the following considerations:
Budget
How much you are willing to spend on a new driveway is a great way to narrow down your options. Concrete is the cheapest to install, but this does not necessarily mean it is always the best driveway for you. When considering how much you want to spend on a new driveway, you also need to consider the long-term costs. This means looking into how durable your chosen driveway will be and whether any additional work will be needed in the future.
For example, resin driveways are incredibly hard-wearing and are designed to last upwards of ten years. While the initial cost of installation may be high, these need to be weighed against the long-term savings they can provide.
Style
How your home looks is important and driveways can enhance this with the right installation. Each driveway material looks different and can create a unique appearance. Considering not only how you want your driveway to look, but also what will complement your home the best is a great way to find your ideal driveway solution.
The best driveway for modern homes is resin driveways, in most cases, as this is a sleek, seamless material. However, for traditional homes or those with character, block paving may be preferable as it allows for customisation and design.
Maintenance
Based on the driveway material you choose, the amount of work you may need to do outdoors can vary. Although driveways are robust and may not get damaged easily, they will need to be cleaned and maintained at some point to keep them looking their best. The amount of work needed will vary based on the material and you can use this to find the best driveway for your home.
The best driveway for your home will be one that aligns with your routine. If you are busy all the time and do not have space in your schedule to maintain the appearance of your landscape, then a low-maintenance option like resin or concrete is the best driveway for you. However, if you are happy getting outside every now and again and doing some work to improve your landscape, you will appreciate the beauty of block paving.
You should consider the best driveway for your home long-term to ensure you are making the right decision and this includes the work required over the years of use.
Finding The Best Driveway Installer
Driveways are only as good as their installation, which is why you need to carefully consider who you hire for this task. S&D Paving has over 15 years of experience as a leading driveway and paving company. Over the years we have worked with a range of clients and landscapes, delivering precise care to each one to ensure the best possible results.
We are a fully certified and award-winning landscaping company that provides a range of driveways to our clients in Surrey. Our team will walk you through the process and discuss your options to help you find the best driveway for your home.
Conclusion
Finding the best driveway for your home requires you to consider the style, maintenance, and durability of your chosen material. Driveway installation should be a long-lasting investment, so you need to consider your home long-term before making such a large renovation.
At S&D Paving, we offer a comprehensive driveway service and have several options available for our clients to consider.
Contact Us Today
If you are looking to renovate your driveway, reach out to the team today to get started.
