When renovating your driveway, carefully consider several main aspects: safety, aesthetics (how the driveway blends in with your landscape and home), and practicality. Here’s some advice from masonry contractors near Canton, MI, as you go about this evaluation.
Related: Create a Luxurious Driveway in Macomb, MI, With These 3 Brick Pavers
Thoughtful Considerations
First, why choose pavers over other driveway materials? Pavers are long-lasting, durable, beautiful, and can be replaced individually should one break.
Not all pavers are created equal—only certain pavers are capable of handling vehicular loads. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that all regular patio pavers are strong enough. Always look for those that are specifically appropriate for residential vehicular use.
Large pavers in particular can be prone to cracking if you don’t use driveway pavers. While smaller pavers can withstand heavy loads, they also tend to offer a visually busier look (such as cobblestones) that isn’t suited for every design style.
Colors and Patterns
The right pavers will yield fantastic results and allow you the opportunity to unleash your creativity. First, consider any brick or stone masonry already present in your home or landscape. Then, observe the colors of the rocks and other prominent features in your landscape. Color schemes tend to fall into cooler tones (grays and blues) and warmer tones (reds and browns). You could choose cool tones for a sophisticated driveway for a more formal home, and warmer tones for a more relaxed and rustic appeal. When in doubt, choose neutrals such as tan.
You could look into collecting samples of pavers to see them beside your home under sun, clouds, and rain. Paver colors tend to become richer and more dramatic when wet, so consider how the pavers complement your home whether the sun is out or it’s pouring down rain.
Brick, flagstone, tumbled, and sleek modern pavers are available to give you the look you want.
Today, larger format plank-style pavers are a hot trend that brings a fresh modern flair to your driveway; your masonry contractors will make sure your selection of plank pavers is appropriate for driveway use.
Safety and the Environment
One of the biggest hazards of homeownership is having to worry about flooding. A driveway can be a source of flooding around your home. When it rains, the water will either seep into the ground or flow to the path of least resistance. With a driveway that’s impermeable (such as poured concrete or asphalt, and traditionally installed pavers), the main option for the water is downhill flow. Since driveways make up considerable amounts of surface area for a landscape, that means many cubic feet of rain that has to go somewhere. Aside from flooding, standing water can damage landscape features and harbor mosquito larvae, and when it freezes, the ice becomes a major slipping hazard.
Permeable pavers are considered an eco-friendly choice. The larger spaces between the joints and special substrate allow surface water to quickly and effectively seep into the ground, which would disperse the rain runoff from your driveway surface. This reduces slipping hazards while it’s raining and minimizes winter ice buildup.
Practicality
Many people wonder if pavers are the best choice in snowy climates, as they can be damaged by snowplows. That’s true: But while you’re having a driveway constructed, consider whether you also want a driveway heating system, which would virtually eliminate the need for plowing and shoveling. Then you'd be able to enjoy a drier and safer driveway all winter.
Related: Creating a Winter-Proof Driveway With Concrete Pavers in Troy and Macomb, MI, Areas
