If your driveway looks tired and in need of repair, it might be time to consider a whole new driveway design for 2020. Instead of repairing the cracks and making do, you can create a whole new surface that is tough and reliable. But, which is the best material to use? Should you stick with the same old concrete surface, try a gravel driveway or switch to asphalt?
You might think that concrete is the best option for creating Melbourne driveway designs in 2020. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. While you might look at concrete as the toughest option out there, its properties aren’t always that beneficial for homeowners long-term. You see, concrete sets hard and it’s very rigid and hard to remove. That means that when it comes to updating your driveway in the future, you might struggle with the removal process.
The rigidity of concrete also means that it doesn’t have the flexibility of an asphalt driveway. Asphalt has a little room to move and can adapt to the pressure placed upon it. It is less likely to crack in high heat or under the weight of heavy vehicles. That said, it is also worth remembering that the costs of repairs of these cracks in concrete are often higher. This doesn’t mean that you won’t need to repair your asphalt driveway. But, repairs are much easier here and less noticeable afterwards.
Furthermore, the fluid, adaptive nature of asphalt also means that it is easier to lay and form into the right design for your driveway. Now, you might wonder why this matters if you aren’t using the material yourself. But, don’t forget that you are hiring a company with labour and machines to create this new surface for you. The sooner they can lay it down, the sooner you can use your driveway and not have to deal with the noise and disruption. On that note, concrete has a long waiting time while it dries out before you can drive on it. This isn’t the case with asphalt.
You might decide to look at a gravel driveway as a more cost-effective solution. These surfaces are affordable, easy to lay down and can look more attractive with the different natural tones. The problem is that these gravel driveways can be more hassle than they are worth. Over time, the stones will become disturbed and you can see dips in ruts in the surface from regular use. The weather can also stir up dust and move the gravel around.
On the subject of dust, be aware that the grit and dirt from the gravel can get around. You may find that your car needs a wash more often than before as you kick up dust from your drive each day. That dust can also settle on your property.
For the sake of balance, it is important to consider the downsides of any asphalt driveways as well. The first is the look. You can’t create the same attractive driveway designs as you can really only have a mass of black, unlike the colours of the gravel or the concrete paving. It isn’t indestructible, so be prepared to make repairs here and there too. Also, there will be some homeowners that question the environmental downsides of using a material like this. No paving or driveway material is going to be ideal, and you are melting a petroleum product here. But, there are new approaches for asphalt driveways in 2020. As you can see from our other guide, plastic roads and plastic asphalt driveways are a great way to fight back.
When you weigh up the pros and cons of using asphalt against concrete or gravel, there are plenty of positive reasons to switch to asphalt. The costs in both the long-term and short-term could be enough to make this worthwhile because of the short installation process and cheaper repairs. When you add in the less of a mess, the durability of the material and its simple process, this really is the best choice for Melbourne driveways in 2020.
"Excellent job! Everything went well, from Chris’s quick return phone call, the quotation visit, through to the end result...a quality driveway. Than..."