Pavers vs. Asphalt: Which Material is Better for Your Driveway?

If you’re thinking of upgrading your home, one of the best things you can do is to build a proper driveway for your vehicles. A driveway has many benefits, including providing you with additional parking space so you don’t need to park on the street and increasing the curb appeal and value of your property. In this post, we compare pavers and asphalt, two of the most popular driveway building materials, to help you determine which is best for your driveway.

Pros and Cons of Pavers

Pavers are individual pieces of material that are usually made from concrete or natural stone, and they are commonly used in landscaping and construction to create flat, visually appealing surfaces. Some of the benefits of using pavers for your driveway include:

• Customisability: Because of the numerous colours, patterns and designs that pavers can come in, they are incredibly customisable to your tastes, and you can use them to create a driveway that is uniquely yours.
• Durability: Additionally, pavers are also highly durable and can last for a long time without needing replacement.
• Visual Appeal: Pavers also tend to be more visually appealing compared to other paving materials due to their patterns and designs.
• Low-Maintenance: Pavers require relatively low maintenance, and regular cleaning to remove dirt and debris is all that is required.

However, pavers are not without their disadvantages as well, which can include:

• Cost: Compared to other construction and landscaping materials, pavers typically have a higher upfront cost.
• Weeds: Weeds may also grow in between the joints that connect pavers, and these need to be periodically removed.

Pros and Cons of Asphalt

Unlike pavers, asphalt is a refined petroleum product that is mixed with gravel or sand to create a substance that can be used to pave roads. Some of the benefits of using asphalt for your driveway include:

• Ease of Installation: Asphalt driveways are incredibly easy to install as the only thing required is to pour the asphalt mixture into a designated area.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Asphalt is one of the most cost-effective paving materials as it is relatively cheap to produce.

However, it is important to bear in mind that asphalt has disadvantages too, including:

• Maintenance: Asphalt driveways will require regular maintenance to resurface them and repair potholes, contributing to a higher long-term cost.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Asphalt is very sensitive to temperature changes which can affect its durability and performance over time. Thus, it may not be suitable for climates with fluctuating weather patterns.

Get Your Pavers from Fulton Brickyard

If you’ve settled on using pavers for your driveway, it is crucial for you to get them from a reputable supplier to ensure that they are able to perform as advertised. Fulton Brickyard is the number one supplier of bricks and paving supplies, and we have been serving the needs of the Melbourne community for decades. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help with all your brick and paving supply needs.