A Few Options for Your Driveway at Home

Property experts talk a lot about kerb appeal – what kind of first impression your home makes when viewed from the outside for the first time. One of the best ways to wow guests – and potential purchasers, if your property is going to be marketed at any stage in the future – is to have a smart, functional driveway. But make the wrong choice and the effect is spoiled, as well as not performing as you’d hope. Here, we look at a few differences between gravel, a bonded surface and block paving.

Gravel – Traditional and Cost Effective

There’s no mistaking the sound of tyres or feet on gravel – it can announce the arrival of guests on your property, as well as looking impressive. There are plenty of sizes, shapes and colours of stone to choose from too, so you can create a look that complements or contrasts with the exterior of your home. More than that, gravel is permeable, so no problems with standing water. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to install, so great for those on a budget. The problem with gravel is that the stones just won’t stay in the right place. Be prepared to be constantly raking it back into position if you choose this option. Also note that it’s a lot less negotiable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, bikes and high heels too, so bear this in mind if you’re planning a sweeping gravel drive.

Block Paving – Stylish but More Labour Intensive to Lay

Again, there’s almost a bewildering array of designs, styles, colours and shapes that can be created with block paving, so your drive can be as unique as you want it. Another big plus of paved driveways is that they are low maintenance – unlike gravel, there’s no ongoing work involved, just wash it down from time to time with warm, soapy water to remove any stains. Water will permeate down into the subsoil too, so you shouldn’t have big puddles forming if it’s laid properly by an expert contractor. Some types of paving may not prevent weeds growing up through the gaps between the blocks, though, so check with your contractor before they start work what steps they’ll take to address this. Of course, paving is more time-consuming to lay, and that can have a big knock-on effect on the price, but if properly laid, they are low maintenance and a great surface for bikes, those with mobility problems, foot traffic and cars too.

Bonded Gravel or Resin Bonded Gravel Driveways

Resin driveways are the midpoint between loose gravel and block paving, pricewise. They can also have significant advantages over the other two alternatives. Firstly, there’s no loose gravel to shift and litter other areas of your garden. That means they’re less prone to potholes, and weeds won’t grow up between cracks either – because there aren’t any. Second, they’re durable, and look great for longer than some other alternatives. There is still a choice of colours, although perhaps less flexibility in design and style than block paving. But they are highly resilient to damage and easy to maintain over the longer term.

Which you choose is a matter of personal preference and budget – why not speak to surfacing experts like New Look Driveways SE Ltd about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of driveway surface? We’ll help you make the right decision for your property and your pocket.