There are many investments to make so as to improve the look of your property. May it be a residential or commercial property, there are property improvement ideas that you can opt for to enhance the value of your home. Driveways are one of the exceptional features that you can opt for to give your property the look you have been yearning for all the time.
The demand for driveways has surged over the years. These developments can be associated with the advent of new construction technologies, improved expertise, availability of quality construction material and better home improvement ideas. There are different types of driveways that you can opt for these days, we have compiled a list of driveway ideas to help you understand more about what you require.
When out there trying to figure out what driveway designs will fit your needs, you need to be cautious in your hunt. The driveway design that you opt for will be determined by your budget, your structural preferences and aesthetic values. At all times, you have to go for a driveway type that will meet your needs.
It is also wise to conduct meticulous research and choose the best types of driveways. You will be able to go through the different driveway choices at your disposal and pick that unique design that will meet your needs. In addition, it is also wise to seek recommendations from friends, family members or neighbours who are well-acquainted with different designs of driveways choices.
Here are some of the most popular choices of driveway ideas
List of the Different Types of Driveways and Ideas
Block paving driveways
Block paving is quite common among many property owners in the United Kingdom. It is also a great patio or path choice among many people looking forward to changing the look of their homes. It is a great design that brings out aesthetic value to your property, as they come in varied colours and style that will definitely suit your tastes. Block paving is the most pratical of the driveway ideas.
The majority of property owners opt for block paving as their driveway surfaces options because they are durable and will last longer. It does not matter what you will be using your driveway for, as it will serve you for as long as you want. You can keep this driveway design in best shape via occasional cleaning and maintenance.
Advantages of block paving driveways –
- Stability
- Traction
- No Winter Maintenance
- Long Lifespan
Resin driveways
Resin driveways come in two distinctive designs. You can opt for bonded or bound resin driveways. What makes these types of driveway stand out is the fact that they come in distinctive properties. Resin bound driveways are constructed by mixing resin with small stones that have been worked on to form smooth surfaces. They are thus water permeable and you don’t need a lot of certification to install this kind of driveway.
Bond Resin driveways are formed by simply placing resin on the ground surface and then pouring small stone pieces over the top. The end result is a rough finish that is not water pervious. The major drawback with resin driveways is that they require extensive maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition. A resin bound driveway is the perfect driveway idea if you require strength and attraction.
Advantages of resin driveways –
- High durability
- Attractive appearance
- Versatility
Gravel Driveways
Gravel drives are a popular driveway design that you will without a doubt fall in love with. Gravel is a cheap material for driveways and will look great, if properly installed. Many people opt for gravel driveways because they present them a means to put off burglars.
Gravel drives make a certain audible noise when driving or walking on them. They also require regular maintenance as they are laid directly onto the ground. You also need to opt for the best means to prevent weed and other unwanted vegetation from growing on your drive.
Advantages of gravel driveways –
- Cheaper driveway ideas
- Easy to maintain
- Quick to install
Asphalt or Tarmac Driveways
Asphalt is one of the best and cheap types of drives that have been used for many decades. It is also a budget-friendly drive type that many people have preferred for over the years. It looks immaculate and beautiful when properly installed in a home or commercial property.
Asphalt blends well with almost every property in your home even though it comes with limited colour choices. It is also a durable drive type that you can install in your property without limitations. You also need to put into consideration maintenance costs before you install asphalt driveways in your property.
Advantages of asphalt / tarmac driveways –
- Easy installation
- Low maintenance costs
- Retains suns heat
- Strong durability
Concrete driveways
Concrete drives are the in-thing among many property owners. Days are gone when plain concrete was the fad among many property owners. Today, many people in the UK and many other parts of the world have put pattern imprinted concrete drives into consideration.
They come in numerous colours as well as different types of driveways shapes to choose from. They are also budget-friendly, and you can get designs for even large projects. Pattern imprinted concrete driveways are unique and strong enough to withstand heavy weights.
Advantages of concrete driveways –
- Long life span
- Low cost for installation
- Diverse style
Brick drives
Brick driveways are one of the oldest drives design to ever grace the construction world. They can significantly enhance the look of your property. However, they are quite demanding when it comes to installation as they require the services of a specialist.
Brick drives are also not great, if you want to install them in a slope as they easily get slippery. Therefore, if you are thinking of installing curved driveways, be cautious when it comes to brick drives.
Advantages of brick driveways –
- Easy to clean
- Different coloured driveway ideas
- Solid strong surface
- Unique and can last up to 100 years
Tar and chip driveways
As you go through the different types of driveways and looking for a great design to replace asphalt drives with, tar-and-chip driveways are the best. This type of drive starts with the use of gravel at the base and then you add hot tar to the gravel. The installer has to put stones on the top and ensure the combination is properly pressed using the right equipment.
It is easy to enhance the appearance of this kind of driveway by using coloured stone. Tar and chip drives are easy to maintain and you don’t need to undertake any kind of sealing while installing it. Many people opt for tar and chip drives because they are comfortable to walk on even during hot weather. This is a rustic, classic and a great drive design that will definitely increase the value of your property.
Advantages of tar and chip driveways –
- Rough surface
- More solid than gravel
- Low cost
Extras
Glass driveways
Those who are not well-versed with varied driveway designs in the market may know little about glass driveways. What many perceive is that it not possible to use a glass driveway, glass being a delicate construction material.
These kinds of drives are made of recycled glass material that has also been crushed and mixed with other construction material like granite, cement and resin to solidify the mixture. The process of designing glass drives is similar to that of using concrete the major advantage is the idea of using glass material that can just be discarded. All you need is an expert to install your glass driveway.
Interlocking driveways
These driveways are designed in a way that they can easily interlock with other pavers in use. These drives are made of concrete or cement and are quite durable and easy to install even without using mortar. They can also be installed in a unique way that they will create personalized effects.
Grass driveways ideas
Many people don’t put grass driveways into consideration when looking for ways to increase the value of their property, or when looking for the best types of driveways shapes. However, if you are environmentally conscious, you will definitely opt for grass driveways.
Grass blends well with almost every landscape and with a material such as concrete and tarmac. Grass can be used in drives to add aesthetic appeal as it can be transformed into circular, hexagonal or rectangular patterns.
Bitumen driveways
Bitumen drives are a great type to opt for as they are flexible and will not easily crack. When using this kind of drive, you need to add a bitumen over the kind of material that you want to use on your drive. You can place bitumen on top of concrete driveways to improve their look although it is easily affected by the hot climate.
Choosing a Driveway Idea
The list of driveway types is vast and it is wise to choose a drive design that will meet your needs. At all times, you should go for a driveway idea that will not only increase the value of your property but also save you extra money on maintenance and repairs. The driveway choice you make may also be determined by the types of driveway shapes.
As you figure the best driveway for your property, also concentrate on their shapes. Your driveway can be a straight drive, which is easy to make and does not require a lot of planning before installation. Curved driveways are the in-thing among many homeowners and property developers as they can be installed in a unique way.
A curved driveway can also add aesthetic value to your home. You can create a curved driveway on any surface whether flat or sloppy. You just need the right expertise. As you plan on your driveway project, you should also try other types of driveway shapes. You can go for U-shaped drives, Y-shape driveways and even circular drives that are incredibly stunning.
Extra Driveway Ideas
Why not add a different type of driveway design to the border to make your drive stand out?
Choose colours that compliment your home and contrasting colours for your new drive
Install pathways as a central feature
Add flowerbeds or features to the middle of the driveway
Driveway Ideas Gallery
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”1″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]Final Thoughts
With the many types and designs of driveways ideas in your fingertips, you should not hesitate to pick a type that fits your preferences. If stuck, do not have any reservations seeking the help of a professional driveway installer or installation company.
Creative Paving will not only share driveway ideas that you can incorporate in your project but also has a team of experts who are eager to help. They will also help you to come up with driveway cost estimates that will aid you to make the right decisions. Get in touch with them and undertake your driveway project without any worries.
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