Driveway pavers will boost your home’s curb appeal and improve its value. As with any home-improvement project, there are many things to take into consideration including types of pavers for a driveway, color, laying pattern, overall design, and so much more.
1.What Kind of Pavers?
The first thing to consider is what kind of pavers you want. There are so many different types each with its own pros and cons. The most common types of pavers are brick, concrete, cobblestone, rubber, porcelain, marble, travertine, bluestone, flagstone, and plastic.
These are the questions you should ask yourself when deciding what kind of pavers to use:
i. What paver system has the best drainage to protect your home from flooding?
ii. What system will last the longest with the least amount of maintenance?
iii. What will improve the appearance of your home?
Brick: aesthetic appeal, eco-friendly, but can be easily damaged or worn down. Require frequent maintenance. Installation is labor-intensive and expensive.
Concrete: stylistically diverse, easy to install. Experience color fade over time and can crack during extreme temperature fluctuations. May be expensive and are considered high maintenance.
Bluestone: beautiful blue color, durable, expensive. Easy to accidentally purchase fake bluestone.
Flagstone: non-slip and lasts longer than concrete. Sourced naturally, making design and cost more of an issue.
Porcelain, cobblestone, marble, travertine: aesthetically pleasing, but incredibly easy to damage. Don’t hold up for everyday driveway usage.
Rubber: durable but lack style. Not very eco-friendly.
Gravel/grass-filled plastic: most durable, variety of styles, most eco-friendly because they are sources from 100% recycled plastic.
2.Types of Pavers for Driveway Systems
Permeable vs. impervious
Traditional paver driveways are impervious, but there are many benefits to installing a permeable paver driveway.
A permeable driveway allows for water to drain through it. If your current driveway is prone to flooding or erosion, this type of driveway will eliminate water damage problems when installed with a drainage rock base. You can also install a heating system beneath your permeable paver driveway to prevent snow/ice buildup.
Some states offer grants/tax incentives for installing permeable driveway pavers because it reduces the burden on local stormwater collection systems and helps remove pollutants.
3. Miscellaneous
a. Cost-effectiveness
b. Eco-friendliness
c. Maintenance
d. Durability
e. Curb appeal
f. Local regulations and incentives
These are all important factors and types of driveway pavers to take into consideration and depend on your budget, lifestyle, driveway usage, and home location.
Tuscany Pavers can help you with all of these decisions. We’ve been designing and installing pavers in and around San Diego since 1991. Each project requires an artistic touch and the latest in installation tools and technology. Contact us today with any questions or for a free quote!