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December 29, 2021Thinking about paving your driveway but don’t know what material to use? What will look and feel the best? What is the best way to pave a driveway? Depending on your project specifications, we can recommend what type of driveway material will work best.
It’s time to find the perfect type of driveway material for your home.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are one of the least expensive driveway materials you can use for your hardscape project. With the raw materials costing less than brick, concrete pavers can accommodate a variety of budgets. Concrete pavers come in a wide range of colors and design styles. However, concrete pavers tend to be more prone to fade and wear more over time.
Clay Pavers
Brick pavers, also known as clay pavers can be a good option if you are going for a classic look that will stand the test of time. Clay brick pavers are made from clay that has been heat-treated into a brick shape. Clay brick pavers are more durable compared to concrete and add value to any home. They retain their color better, wear less and stand up to harsher weather. Clay brick does require more maintenance, intensive installation and are often more expensive than concrete pavers.
Travertine
Travertine pavers are great for any outdoor hardscape including walkways, pools and patios. Travertine is made out of natural stone that is compressed overtime. Travertine is often characterized by its variety of earthy color tones and semi-porous look. Each stone tile looks unique, making your project truly one of a kind.
Travertine is a great option because of its non-slip surface and ability to stay cool. Because Travertine is made of natural stone compressed, it is often softer than other materials. This makes it more at risk to scratching, hard chemical cleaners, stains and abrasive materials. Travertine pavers require more up-keep compared to brick, concrete or even marble. Knowing how to properly clean and protect your tiles will increase their longevity over time.
Marble
Marble pavers are a great option to add elegance and beauty to your driveway. Marble is made when sedimentary stones are exposed to long-term heat and pressure. This transforms or recrystallizes the rock into a harder and denser material. The recrystallization also gives the marble the distinctive shine that it’s known for. Marble can come in a variety of colors such as red, green, black, cream, gray and more. These variations in color come from impurities in the ground that stain the stone.
However, these impurities can sometimes make the marble less durable. Marble is often more costly because it is more intensive to mine compared to limestone or travertine. While marble is denser, it is also more fragile than other materials.
Limestone
Limestone, or Coralstone, as some may know it, is one of the oldest building materials in history. Limestone is made up of calcium carbonate from shells, coral and algal that has been formed together. Some limestone can even have fossils of sea life in them. Limestone pavers tend to be much denser than travertine or sandstone pavers making it more durable. Its flat and smooth texture makes it a great option for driveways or patios. The downside is that limestone has less color variation and can become expensive due to transportation and labor costs.
Find What’s Best For You
A new paved driveway can add value to any home but finding the right material that suits your needs can be tricky. If you need help from the experts, we’re happy to lend a hand. Consider South Florida’s premier paving and hardscape general contractor, U.S. Brick and Block.
Check out our Instagram page for some inspiration.