Your driveway is often one of the first impressions people will have when they come to your home. Think about some of the best home exteriors you have seen during a home search. Some of the best homes don’t have a simple and, dare we say, boring concrete driveway, but one with driveway pavers.

But other than looks, what is the difference between concrete and driveway pavers? What about using asphalt for your driveway? Lucky for you, the pros here at Husky Pavers are here to answer these questions and give you an accurate comparison between all of them!

Also Read – What to Consider When Choosing Driveway Pavers

Driveway Paving Option 1 – Concrete

Concerning driveway pavers in San Diego, concrete tends to be the most common, and more than half of new driveways are made of concrete. While we did make a slight dig at the aspect of concrete driveways above, there are incredible ways concrete can be used to make your driveway both functional and fashionable. 

Stamped concrete can make your driveway different from the more traditional cement squares. The goal of this look is to make it look like paving stones without having to take the time to install each and every block.

When it comes to cost, completing your driveway paving project with cement, either stamped or even in a poured pattern, is possibly one of the cheapest options you can take. It’s also the most versatile since it can be molded into any pattern you wish.

These types of driveways aren’t without their drawbacks as, like with the typical cement squares, they typically only last for 10 to 20 years and can potentially develop cracks in a matter of months after it’s installed. 

Driveway Paving Option 2 – Asphalt

Driveway pavers don’t get much cheaper than asphalt. And when it comes to aesthetics, it looks pretty good. However, despite its affordability, there is a reason why fewer people tend to choose this as a new driveway.

The drawbacks tend to affect the wallet more than the upfront cost suggests. Every few years or so, asphalt will need to be resealed as cracks, chips, and general fading happens, especially in our Southern California sun. As a result, it would only last about ten years, even when properly maintained. 

Repairing an asphalt driveway is fairly simple and easier to do than concrete, but it tends to need repairs far more often.

If you don’t have a problem with your driveway looking like some of the streets you use daily, this would be the way to go.

Driveway Paving Option 3 – Pavers

Using actual pavers in your driveway paving project gives your driveway a much more classy look and tends to hold up considerably better, depending on the materials you use. 

One benefit of using pavers is just how flexible the driveway’s surface is. When installed properly, pavers last much longer than concrete and asphalt— at least 25 years. 

And it’s easy to see why. For thousands of years, the roads of Europe were made with almost nothing but pavers in one form or another. And many of those roads still exist and are still used today! 

Depending on the paver used in your driveway paving project, any repairs that need to occur, be it a broken brick or any other issue, are simple and practically invisible when they are required. 

While pavers tend to be a bit more expensive up front, they last longer and require less maintenance than cement and asphalt.

Factors To Consider For Your Driveway Paving Project

Whether you use concrete, asphalt, or pavers in your driveway paving project, there are a few things to remember. 

Durability

Even though your driveway should make some kind of statement for your home, it should also be durable for all your vehicles. This is where the quality of the materials you choose for this project will come into play. A particular material may look nice, but if it cracks under your vehicle’s weight, or from natural elements, it might not be the best choice for you.

Style

Your home style may require a different choice of materials than originally planned. Colonial-style homes may look better with a paver or stamped concrete driveway than an asphalt one. Be sure to consult your designer when choosing the right driveway paving materials.

Goals

What purpose is your driveway meant to serve? If it’s something to make both your home and your vehicles look good, then you would want something that looks good and can handle high traffic. If it’s just a place for your cars to park, then function outweighs fashion. 

Choose the suitable materials, and your driveway will not only increase your home’s curb appeal but will serve you for years to come.

Your San Diego Driveway Paving Experts

If you want to improve your driveway with a new paving project, reach out to the experts at Husky Pavers today!