Central Keystone Living - Fall 2017 - 33

Asphalt Driveways:

Concrete driveway
While concrete is popular and durable, there are a few
downsides:
* Higher cost material than some other driveway options, such
as gravel.
* Concrete can develop cracks over time. If this occurs, the cracks
should be filled to prevent erosion of soil under the slab.

Gravel Driveways:

Asphalt is typically a combination of sand, rock and
asphalt cement that is a popular driveway material option.
Advantages include:
* Although asphalt does cost
more than gravel, it is less
Asphalt driveway
costly than concrete and can
usually be installed in a short amount of time.
* Many people enjoy the smooth, solid, and durable surface that
an asphalt finish provides.
* As with concrete, some pavers will provide the stamped asphalt
option, which creates the idea of brick in a solid, dyed asphalt
slab that can add more curb appeal for your home.
* Asphalt is commonly used for driveways in the northern part
of the United States, as it can survive freeze and thaw cycles.
Along with the advantages of asphalt come a few disadvantages:
* Asphalt will crack, resulting in the need for frequent sealing.
Resealing these cracks is important to preserve the integrity of
your driveway.
* In climates with wintery conditions, you should seal an asphalt
driveway every few years to maintain its longevity and durability. If not preserved properly, asphalt driveways can develop
holes over time.

Paver Driveways:

Gravel driveway
Gravel driveways are relatively inexpensive, and some people
like the more natural look that they provide. Other advantages include:
* A gravel driveway is permeable, allowing rainwater to soak
through and reducing runoff.
* Installation time is very fast.
As with any building material, there are some drawbacks to
a gravel driveway:
* Because gravel is permeable, weeds can grow through it. Those
weeds tend to migrate from the driveway into your lawn.
* Ruts and depressions will form over time, requiring regular
raking or grading, which leads to higher maintenance costs.
* Gravel driveways are considered by some to have the least
amount of curb appeal.

Paver driveways are considered
to be one of the most attractive
options, but also are more costly. Some advantages include:
* The curb appeal is high, which
could help with the resell time
Paver driveway
and value of your home.
* Paver driveways tend to be fairly maintenance free.
* If an individual paver stone cracks, it can be easily replaced
without tearing up the driveway.
Some disadvantages are:
* You'll need to practice consistent weed control to prevent the
lawn from growing into the driveway and impacting the quality
of paver stones.
* In addition to materials cost, the cost of installation is higher
than with other driveways.
* Installation will take longer than with other types of driveways.
Hopefully, this overview provides some insights on the pros and
cons of materials commonly used for home driveways. It's important to consider the cost, durability, maintenance and aesthetics of
each option when making your decision. Be sure to talk to your
homebuilder or contractor, who will be able to answer any questions
you have and help you make a selection.

HarrisburgBuilders.com

http://www.HarrisburgBuilders.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Keystone Living - Fall 2017