PAVING THE WAY

Driveways that make an entrance

You may pay very little attention to your driveway — until it becomes a problematic eyesore. That’s why keeping up on its maintenance is so important to the overall curb appeal and function of your home. Whether your driveway is made from asphalt or concrete, knowing how to properly care for the entrance to your home is key to a beautiful outdoor facade. 

Asphalt vs. concrete
First, it’s important to understand the differences between asphalt and concrete. Whether you’re looking to install something new or just want to know how to properly care for the driveway you already have, you’ll want to look into the cost, durability and lifespan of each material. 

According to Owner and Vice President of Randall Patterson Paving & Site Work Karen Patterson, there are pros and cons to asphalt and concrete, and it’s a personal preference which material a homeowner chooses. 

Asphalt is a black, sticky paving material that is composed of aggregates and a petroleum-based binder. It is generally considered the more affordable option for a driveway, with installation costing about a third of the price of concrete. 

One difference between asphalt and concrete, Patterson says, is that asphalt is considered a flexible paving material, while concrete is more rigid. This means that concrete tends to distribute the load over a wide area of subgrade, while asphalt does not spread loads as well. 

Asphalt tends to be less durable than concrete, but it can have a lifespan of up to 30 years if cared for properly. 

Made from a mix of aggregates, cement and water, concrete is a highly durable and customizable option for your driveway. It is generally higher in cost upfront, but can have a lifespan of up to 50 years when properly installed and maintained. 

Care & maintenance
Whether you went the route of asphalt or concrete, it’s important to know how to care for your driveway to prevent pesky cracks and stains. It’s also important to know when it’s time to seal and resurface your driveway. 

When it comes to asphalt driveways, some people recommend sealing every two or three years. While the maintenance you choose for your driveway largely depends on the wear and tear of the surface, Patterson generally does not recommend sealing and says that driveways should last for many years without doing anything to it. 

According to Patterson, the climate and amount of use on both asphalt and concrete will generally determine the lifespan of the driveway. 

Concrete is better suited for a hot climate, Patterson says. This is because asphalt pavement softens in extreme heat and can become oily or even sticky to drive on. While the asphalt will re-harden once the temperature cools down, the back and forth cycling of softening and hardening can cause the surface of the driveway to crack and sag over time. 

However, unless you are living in an area that experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, weather should not pose a huge threat to the overall wellbeing of your driveway. Fortress Foundation Solutions System Designer Joe Katany says that “no special treatment is needed for the seasons as long as you maintain your asphalt or concrete throughout the year.” 

According to Katany, one way to prolong the lifespan of your driveway is by keeping it clean and eliminating invasive weeds that grow through the cracks of the asphalt and concrete. 

For cracks in your concrete driveway, Katany advises finding out why it has cracked. 

“If it has sunk or settled, it should be lifted and leveled, and then a sealer needs to be applied to the cracks and joints to prevent water from getting underneath the concrete,” Katany says. “Non-compacted dirt and water are the biggest reasons for settled and cracked concrete.” 

Less worrisome than cracks but still something you’ll want to take care of are stains on your driveway. If caught early, Katany says that stains can be soaked up with cat litter. However, “the best way to keep concrete clean is to seal the entire area so it will ‘bead’ liquids and not allow stains to be absorbed into the concrete.” 

Decorative driveway options
As the gateway to your home, the driveway is the first thing your guests see on arrival. If you want an entrance that stands out and offers you a more elaborate welcome, concrete is a versatile option. 

Some ideas to consider: adding concrete pillars to cap the entrance to your driveway for a strong, stately look. Or perhaps if you love the look of a cobblestone driveway but don’t have the means within your budget for the real deal, concrete pavers can be stamped and stained to mimic the look of cobblestone at a much more cost-effective rate. 

A simple suburban-style driveway entrance with asphalt and concrete gives you a neat look with the best of both worlds. A driveway cutout made from a band of concrete pavers can mark the start of your driveway, visually setting it apart from the asphalt of the rest of your driveway. 

Regardless of your style and preference of paving material, knowing how to stay on top of the care and maintenance of your driveway will help to keep your home looking fresh and functioning well. ✦