What types of driveways are there?
Driveways are constructed from different materials such as Asphalt, Concrete, Resin, Cobblestone, paver blocks, tarmac, bricks, gravel, etc. They can be constructed in different layouts and designs. Driveways are an effective solution for parking as well as segregating one property from another, or for connecting your home to the main road. They are common throughout the UK, you will find Driveways Somerset to be the same as in other regions of the UK.
Which driveway is the best?
This question is relative and the answer may differ based on several factors including your budget, required maintenance, weather conditions, and in some cases…. building regulations.
Asphalt Driveways
Asphalt driveways are one of the most commonly built driveways around the world.
- Cheap and easily available.
- Easy to repair and maintain.
- They can last up to 25 years.
- Climate effect: Hight heat absorption and extremely high temperatures can make it sticky but such high temperatures have rarely been witnessed.
- Does not have an aesthetic appearance.
- The cost of asphalt driveways Wellington is £50/m² to £80/m²
- square. For a driveway measuring 30m², this would be between £1500 to £2400.
Concrete Driveways
Not the same as asphalt, though many people mistakenly believe that concrete, tarmacadam, and asphalt are the same thing. A robust material that can take a beating from the weather, concrete is a great choice for any climate.
- Highly affordable.
- It can last over 40 years.
- Requires little maintenance and is extremely resilient to weather conditions.
- Easy to build
- Cracks may develop over time.
- Repair patches are usually visible.
- Average aesthetic value
- The cost of constructing a concrete Driveways Somerset and in many other regions of the UK, having an area of 30m² can range from £2700 to £4800, £5000 to £9500 for 60m², and £8000 to £14,000 for a driveway area of 90m².
Block paved driveways
They provide aesthetic value to your home. Bricks can be made of concrete, stone, or clay.
- Easy to build
- Highly flexible and therefore can tolerate a much higher weight.
- Paving blocks made from clay can have a life of 50 years while those made from concrete and stone can last over 75 years.
- They are available in a wide range of colours, designs, and patterns allowing you to build colourful and pleasing driveways.
- They are relatively more expensive than concrete, asphalt, and tarmacadam.
- Block paved driveways can cost £2100 to £3000 for a driveway measuring 30m², £4200 to £6000 for 60m², and £6300 – £9000 for 90m².
Gravel Driveway
Gravel driveways are simple to build and are one of the most common types of driveways.
- Very low build cost
- Gravel is available in different colours and sizes.
- Readily available
- Although long-lasting but gravel can spread all around your driveway with time especially if your driveway has a slope.
- Can make your surroundings a little dusty.
- Gravel Driveways Somerset can cost £1200 to £2400 for a driveway measuring 30m², £2400 to £4800for 60m², and £3600 to £7200 for 90m².
Tarmacadam Driveways
They are famously known as tarmac driveways and are often confused with asphalt.
- Highly affordable
- Highly durable, it is the material used for building roads and runways.
- It has a life of over 20 years.
- They are the fastest to build among all types of driveways
- The cost of constructing a tarmac driveway with an area of 30m² can range from £1200 to £1800, £2400 to £3600 for 60m², and £2700 to £5400 for a driveway area of 90m².
Resin Bound driveways
A very innovative way of building driveways which use a resin such as polyurethane with different types of aggregates.
- Semipermeable and highly resistant to water
- Smooth and aesthetic appearance
- Available in many colours and designs
- Costlier than simple materials but still affordable
- Highly resistant to cracks
- Long life span
- The cost of constructing tarmac Driveways Wellington and in several other regions of the UK, having an area of 30m²,can range from £1500 to £2400, £3000 to £4800 for 60m², and £4500 to £7200 for a driveway area of 90m².
Cobblestone Driveways
They are usually prepared from natural stones such as limestone, basalt, granite, etc.
- Give a special traditional and aesthetic value to your driveways.
- Highly suitable for period properties.
- Relatively expensive than all other types of driveways. They can cost anywhere from £2000 to £10,000 depending on the size of the driveway.
- Extremely durable and simple to maintain
- Resistant to extreme weather