The Best Materials for Driveways: Which One is Right for You?
Your driveway is not just a functional addition to your home, but also the first impression people get of your property. It is your welcome home sign every day, and therefore needs to look great.
When it comes to renovating your driveway, the material for the new surface is one of the biggest considerations. Homeowners want to make sure that their new driveway looks good, is durable and supports their lifestyle.
Ideal Building & Landscapes is a premier driveway installer, offering several material options for our clients. We appreciate that every home is unique and our clients require different things, which is why we provide several types of driveway materials in our service.
To help you make the best choice for your home and ensure your new driveway is built to last, we are sharing everything you need to know about driveway materials. We will compare each option in terms of appearance, durability and maintenance to help you create the best welcome home possible in your upcoming project.
What Driveway Materials Are Available?
As a leading driveway installer, we offer a variety of driveway materials to meet all requirements. We understand that every home and family is unique, and a one-size-fits-all solution is not possible when it comes to driveway installation.
This is why we offer four main kinds of driveway materials and can provide a bespoke installation in every project to align with your unique specifications. Our driveway range includes:
Resin Driveways
Resin is one of the most popular driveway materials, especially for contemporary or new build homes.
Appearance And Style
This is a hard-wearing, permeable surface that can be customised to suit the appearance of your property. With colour options, as well as choices for recycled aggregates, resin driveways can be tailored to suit your unique needs.
Installation
One of the primary benefits of resin driveways is the fact that this material is easy to install. It can be installed over a range of existing surfaces, reducing the need for foundational work and preparation.
Not only does this speed up the driveway installation process, as in many cases, your resin driveway materials are cured within one to two days, but it also makes it more affordable.
Driveway installation costs can be divided between materials and labour. While resin driveway materials are typically more expensive than others, such as concrete or tarmac, the reduced labour fees and overall longevity of this driveway make it a great option.
Maintenance
As resin is one of the hardest-wearing driveway materials, maintenance is easy. These kinds of driveways require little to no ongoing care, despite the occasional cleaning and sweeping throughout the seasons.
These are permeable driveway materials, meaning flooding and standing water is not an issue. Resin is also slip and stain-resistant due to its weatherproof properties. Tasks such as cleaning, repairing, and weeding are rarely needed with these driveway materials, making them an ideal option for busy homeowners and family homes.
Block Paving Driveways
A traditional option for many properties, block paving driveways are versatile, customisable and long-lasting.
Appearance
While resin is the best driveway material for contemporary properties, block paving has a more traditional appeal. It can be customised and is extremely versatile, as block paving comes in various colours and shapes.
This allows for various patterns and designs to be implemented, which can complement all kinds of properties, lifestyles and outdoor spaces.
Installation
The installation process for these driveway materials can be more complex, based on the design and patterns chosen. Each block needs to be installed individually, which can take several days based on the size of your driveway.
Foundational work is also essential for block paving driveway materials, as it determines how secure and stable the future surface will be.
While installation is done to ensure a long-lasting driveway, stones may come loose over time or get damaged. Luckily, as they are individually installed, repairs are cheap and easy to do, making block paving driveways a great long-term option for many homes.
Maintenance
Block paving driveway materials do require ongoing maintenance to keep them looking their best. As each block is installed individually, it is common for weeds to grow between the cracks and will need to be removed periodically.
Keeping the driveway free from debris is an ongoing commitment, and most block paving driveways need to be resanded every couple of years. This secures the gaps between each block and keeps them stable for longer.
Even with occasional care, block paving driveway materials offer a stunning appearance and can be a classy upgrade for many properties. Those who are seeking a timeless renovation for their home could greatly benefit from block paving.
Tarmac Driveways
Tarmac driveways are one of the most affordable options and a great solution for those seeking a long-lasting, simple renovation for their home.
Appearance
These driveway materials are sleek, simple and monochromatic. The simple black surface looks great with modern properties, but can be used in multiple areas if you are looking for a no-frills renovation.
Tarmac is the traditional driveway material for high-traffic areas, such as car parks and roads, due to its durability. While the appearance may be simple, the hard-wearing nature of these driveway materials is the main appeal and can make it the best option for your home.
Installation
The installation process for tarmac driveway materials is similar to resin, as it is a simple and quick process. Tarmac can be installed over a range of surfaces, with minimal site preparation, making it a quick process in most cases.
Unlike block paving, there is no space for customisation or unique patterns with most tarmac driveways. This makes the process quick and affordable, but it does mean that all tarmac driveways look the same. Bordering and edging may be used for contrast and enhanced visual appeal, if desired.
Overall, when choosing tarmac driveway materials, you are opting for a highly durable yet basic surface. The appearance is simple and can suit a range of properties due to this. The simplicity makes installation easier and ensures that you are getting an affordable driveway material for your home.
Maintenance
The long-term benefits of these driveway materials contribute to the value and make it one of the most cost-effective solutions for your home. As this is a hard-wearing material, tarmac can be a long-lasting solution for your outdoor space and can support ongoing heavy traffic.
Like resin, these driveway materials are also low-maintenance but may need replacing after several years of ongoing use. It is common for tarmac driveways to fade or become damaged over time, which can be repaired with a new installation.
Gravel Driveways
A classic option for many outdoor spaces, gravel is one of the best driveway materials for traditional properties or large parking areas.
Appearance
Made of small, loose stones, gravel has a classic appearance that can complement traditional, cottage or period properties effectively. Some customisation is available based on the size, shape and colour of stones used as your driveway material.
Edging may also be used to enhance the appeal of your new driveway, and is often done in a contrasting material such as block paving.
Installation
In order for gravel driveway materials to be effective, they can only be installed over stable, flat surfaces. This means a lot of foundational work is needed ahead of your new driveway installation, which can make the process take longer to complete.
As these driveway materials are loose stones, gravel driveways offer excellent drainage. They are extremely permeable and can prevent flooding or overflowing mains drainage systems.
Those who are concerned about sustainability, water management or simply want to prevent issues around their home can benefit greatly from these surfaces.
Maintenance
The loose stones mean there is a lot of ongoing maintenance required for gravel driveways. These driveways need to be regularly swept, adjusted and occasionally refilled to keep them looking their best.
The loose stones will move around and may infiltrate other areas of your landscape without ongoing maintenance.
While the initial cost of gravel driveway installation may seem cost-effective, you need to consider the future fees for refilling stones and replacing the main surface area. This should be done every couple of years or when the gaps are noticeable.
What Are The Best Driveway Materials For My Home?
Each driveway material offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages, which can influence your decision. To find the best driveway material for your home, consider the following:
- Appearance and Design: How you want your new driveway to look can greatly influence the chosen materials for this installation. You should consider driveways that will complement the age and appearance of your property. For example, new build homes will benefit from contemporary resin driveway materials, whereas period or traditional properties will prefer gravel.
- Customisation and Installation: Whether the driveway can be customised to suit your style and property may also be an important consideration. Block paving driveway materials are some of the most versatile, as a range of designs can be made with them. However, the complexity of installation can increase both the timeframe and the cost of this project. Simpler installations, such as resin or tarmac, may be more affordable and give you access to your new surface within days.
- Maintenance Needs: You not only need to consider the immediate effects of your chosen driveway materials, but also the ongoing requirements. To keep your driveway looking its best over time, maintenance such as repairs, resanding, and cleaning will be needed. The amount of work needed and the frequency of these tasks will vary greatly based on your chosen driveway materials, and you need to consider if this is something you can afford.
Conclusion
With many options for driveway materials, finding the best solution for your home can seem complicated. However, by considering your needs in terms of appearance, budget and maintenance, you can easily find the best option.
Working with professional driveway installers, like Ideal Building & Landscapes, is the best way to access driveway materials as well as ongoing expertise. We will help you find the right solution for your home, as well as offer comprehensive installation of your chosen option.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our services and how we can help, please contact the team today.
FAQs
How long does a new driveway last?
With proper installation and care, most driveway materials can last around 15 to 20 years, sometimes longer, based on the chosen material.
What is the most cost-effective driveway material?
Gravel and tarmac are usually the most cost-effective upfront, with tarmac being the better value for larger areas. However, in terms of longevity and durability, resin is a great option despite its higher installation fees.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
In most cases, planning permission is not required for a new driveway. In fact, permeable driveways such as resin or block paving can even be preferred by some local authorities due to their drainage properties.
