What Are the Best Materials for a Driveway?
Tar and asphalt driveways are both supposed to last 15 to 20 years, yet you’ve probably had your driveway repaved more than once in the last decade. When others say they’re supposed to last for almost two decades, they didn’t mean in top shape. With regular use, cracks will begin to form in a few years, and the ground will become more and more unseemly before becoming completely unstable. Tar and asphalt might be two of the most common driveway materials you’ll see, but they aren’t the best or the most attractive.
If you’re going to replace your driveway every few years to keep it in top shape, shouldn’t you consider doing something more attractive to the eye? Maybe use a driveway material that can stand up to repeated use and the elements? If that’s something you’d be interested in, Pioneer Landscape Centers has some materials to recommend to you.
What Materials Can Be Used for Driveways?
Landscaping is made up of two types of materials, hardscape and softscape. Softscape is the mulch, soil, and everything else that helps plants grow. Hardscape is what creates boundaries, walkways, and paths around your property. Hardscape materials are usually made from rocks and stones. These can be used to create driveways.
Flagstone Driveways
Flagstone is one of the best driveway materials we offer. It’s one of the toughest materials you can use, which we know since it’s a popular material for outdoor ovens. Since it can handle constant heating and cooling from containing a fire, it can handle vehicles.
This toughness also translates into flagstone being a long-lasting material. Where asphalt and tar can show signs of age long before it becomes a danger, flagstone will not. It lasts almost a decade before showing signs of wear and tear in its integrity.
Not to forget, it’s visually stunning when implemented by the right hands. Most flagstone styles use irregular shapes with a mix of concrete. You won’t have any patterns in your driveway. Every part of it will look wholly unique from every angle.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers have the uniform look of other pavers made out of porcelain and travertine without sacrificing the structural integrity, similar to flagstone.
Concrete pavers are also the most cost-effective driveway material available. While they can be more expensive than others to install, they are second to only one material in terms of how long they last and how well they withstand the cold and thawing.
While most materials have more physical variety than black tar, concrete also has its own distinctive and attractive look.
Travertine Pavers
Travertine is a special hardscape material made from limestone. It’s naturally found in hot and mineral springs, which means erosion is less of a problem compared to other materials. Most importantly, it can reflect heat, which means it won’t be as hot to stand on as other materials. While other materials will last a long time, travertine will last a long time while hurting your feet less often.
With their fine finish, they can be one of the most visually appealing stones for building a driveway. They’re inviting, easy to clean, and can last longer than other materials.
Travertine is usually laid down in a pattern, with the stones having a uniform cut so, in that way, it's more like concrete than flagstone. When choosing between travertine and flagstone, you should first consider what kind of style you want for your driveway.
Contact Pioneer Landscape Centers for New Driveway Materials
Pioneer Landscape Centers has plenty of driveway materials for you to choose from if you want to finally try something new. You don’t have to use the same materials as everyone else. Hardscape materials can be installed and used faster than tar and asphalt, so if you’re ready to make the change, contact the experts at your local Pioneer Landscape Centers.