Whether you're building a new home or just renovating an old one, installing a new driveway can be an opportunity to redesign your front yard. When it comes to driveways, there are multiple materials you can use; gravel, brick, asphalt, and concrete are just a few of them. Each material varies in style, cost, maintenance, and durability.

Gravel

Gravel is one of the easiest, fastest, and cheapest materials to install in your driveway. It's an easy material to match to the style of your home because it comes in a variety of colors and sizes. The downside of a gravel driveway is that it requires a lot of maintenance. Removing debris, filling holes, and adding fresh gravel are all required for your gravel driveway to remain in good shape. Due to the nature of gravel, it's not an ideal option for your home if you live in an area where it snows often.

Brick

Bricks come in many different sizes, colors, and patterns, which make it a beautiful option for a driveway. Bricks are very durable, require little maintenance, and improve the resale value of your home. A brick driveway can easily be cleaned by hosing it down, and the bricks are easily replaceable if necessary. Unfortunately, the materials and installation for this type of driveway can be costly, and the labor is more intensive than it is with other materials.

Asphalt

Asphalt is one of the most popular options for driveways, especially in cold, snowy regions. Asphalt can handle snow and ice better than most other materials, in large part because of its dark color, which helps melt snow quicker. It's easy to install, cheaper than concrete, and has a long lifespan if cared for properly. The negative side of asphalt is that maintenance must be performed regularly; pressure washing and sealing must be done every few years.

Concrete

Concrete driveways work well in any region regardless of weather, which makes it another common choice for driveways. Concrete lasts longer than any other material, requires very little maintenance, and is extremely durable. It can be customized with different textures, colors, and patterns. The initial investment in concrete can be more expensive than asphalt, and repairs can be costly because patching can appear obvious and therefore requires more labor.

If you're thinking about renovating your driveway and don't know where to start, learning the differences between the various driveway materials can help you make your decision. Contact a company like Van Doren Red-E-Mix for information about ready mix concrete.

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