How To Compare Different Paving Options

Comparing Different Paving Options for Your Home’s Exterior

Paving is a great way to improve the exterior of your house and increase its curb appeal. While stone paving is one of the most popular options, permeable paving, concrete, and asphalt are also popular options. Paving can be used to create beautiful patios, driveways, and outdoor seating areas that will transform your home and help outdoor entertaining. When choosing a material, you’ll want to carefully consider the climate of the area you’re in, as areas with heavy rainfall will need a granite paver rather than gravel, as gravel is more easily washed away and you may find yourself with a ruined driveway. You’ll also want to consider each material’s ability for driveway drainage. The material will also need to be able to withstand pressure, as you will likely be paving a driveway or outdoor seating area that will have to be able to hold furniture and outdoor appliances. Below, we’ll cover some of the most popular paving options for your home’s exterior.

Permeable Paving

Permeable paving is great if you live in an area with heavy rainfall and will need to consider drainage. The permeable paving systems are porous but are just as strong as more traditional concrete or asphalt paving, and they help you to manage stormwater and decrease your risk for flooding. 

Brick Paving

A brick paver patio is a wonderful option if it fits the style of your home and the landscaping you have. They aren’t too versatile in terms of design, but a brick patio is a tried and true classic that many homeowners are looking for. The material is also very durable, and many designers find that this offsets the initial installation costs, which can get somewhat pricey.

Concrete Paving

Concrete paving is aesthetically pleasing and comes in a wide variety of shapes and patterns. They provide great traction when they’re wet, and repair can be quite simple since individual pavers can be taken out and replaced. However, the cons of concrete paving are that weeds will grow in between the cracks as well as that the individual pavers can move from weather conditions and general settling. Yet, as long as you or a professional has properly learned how to remove concrete sealer to reapply it, the material will be able to withstand long term use.

Asphalt Paving

Asphalt paving is a popular alternative to concrete because they’re less expensive to install. The paving will need to be sealed every few years to ensure that it lasts as long as possible, and it is slightly more prone to cracking than concrete is. It’s also known to get quite hot during the long summer months. However, if these are maintained properly, the driveway can last you up to twenty years.

Choosing the perfect paving option is an exciting step in crafting the perfect outdoor space. Paying mind to the climate, rainfall, and durability considerations of the material, you’ll undoubtedly be able to craft an outdoor space that’ll be wonderful for entertaining and last you many years to come!

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.