Driveways are often the most overlooked aspect of your yard. Yet, driveways are usually one of the first things a visitor notices. Therefore, making sure that your driveway matches the aesthetic of your home and provides the necessary functionality is very important. There are a variety of materials that can be used to create a driveway. Below, are a list of pros and cons for the most common driveway materials.

Gravel

Pro:

• Easy maintenance
• Most affordable
• Quick installation and can be used immediately
• Can vary in color to match your home aesthetics

Con

• Requires filling in holes (after wet weather conditions)
• Can be dusty
• Difficult to plow snow on gravel

Asphalt

• Pro:
• More affordable than concrete and brick pavers
• Moderate longevity
• Less impacted by weather when compared to gravel

Con:

• Installation is lengthier than gravel
• Requires seal coating when pavement cracks

 Concrete

Pro:

• High longevity
• Less maintenance than asphalt or gravel

Con:

• More expensive than asphalt and gravel
• Can easily notice oil stains or tire marks
• Cannot resurface

Brick Pavers

Pro:

• Very aesthetically pleasing – can be built in various patterns or designs
• If properly installed, can last around 25 years

Con:

• Breaks more easily than other surfacing materials
• Expensive
• Uneven surfaces can arise from roots, erosion, etc.

By Anna Hellman