There are many advantages to having a paved driveway. For one, it increases the curb appeal and value of your home. Of course, this depends on several factors including the other homes in the area, current market conditions, and the type of material you choose.
The experts at Prime Paving highly recommend asphalt paving for your driveway. We have served the Charlotte Metro, Piedmont Triad, and Foothills since 1956. We are still family owned and operated, and work with commercial, residential, and industrial clients with any of their paving needs. We are one of the most experienced paving contractors in the area and strive to ensure that you are 100% satisfied every time.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common driveway materials to help you determine if paving your driveway is worth it.
Driveway Materials
Below, we will explore the following driveway materials:
- Concrete
- Asphalt
- Gravel
- Glass
- Grass
Asphalt
One of the most affordable and popular driveway material options on the market is asphalt. In most cases, driveway asphalt is a combination of asphalt cement, sand, and rock. This material usually comes in black, but you can get stamped asphalt if you want to dress it up.
On average, asphalt costs $2 to $5 per square foot and oil/grease won’t show up. Plus, if you find that your driveway is looking worn down, you can have it sealed. If you want to sell your home, asphalt adds to the curb appeal and increases your home’s value.
Concrete
Another popular option for driveways is concrete because it is durable and will typically last for decades without requiring maintenance. However, if you live in an area where there is a lot of snow and ice, it’s important to note that de-icing your driveway causes concrete to be broken down.
Also, it can easily be stained and it’s not the most attractive material on the market, but it can be dressed up by using stamped concrete, which replicates the appearance of cobblestone or bricks.
On average, concrete costs $3 to $10 per square foot. Concrete also adds to your home’s value and curb appeal if you decide you want to sell your home.
Gravel
If your driveway is long and winding, gravel may be a good option. The average cost is $0.75 to $3 per square foot. The problem is that gravel requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking nice. You’ll have to rake it, have a new layer added every few years, and will always be fighting weeds.
While gravel does look nice when it’s first laid, it will not look that way for very long. If you decide you want to sell your home, chances are gravel will not increase the curb appeal or value of it.
Recycled Glass
A recycled glass driveway is a great way to show your commitment to the environment and make your home look nice in the process. You’re probably wondering how it can be safe to drive on glass. However, you don’t have to worry about sharp edges because a glass driveway is made of recycled glass that has been tumbled and bound with resin, making it smooth.
The average cost of a recycled glass driveway is $8 to $18 per square foot. The only way this type of driveway will add to the curb appeal and value of your home is if the potential buyer is eco-conscious.
Grass
Finally, you may want to consider a grass driveway. You’re probably wondering how it’s possible to constantly drive and park on grass without destroying it. There are a couple of options:
- Put down an all-grass driveway with a plastic base. This will keep the grass together and prevent tires from digging into the ground.
- Put down a grid with concrete pavers and allow grass to grow between squares.
This is a very eco-friendly option. On average, you can expect to pay $4.50 to $8 per square foot. The biggest disadvantage of a grass driveway is the maintenance. You will have to put in time and effort to keep the grass looking nice. Plus, this option probably won’t do much to increase the value and curb appeal of your home.
Is it Worth it?
Now that you know what your options are when it comes to driveway materials, you must decide if it’s worth it to pave your driveway. The experts at Prime Paving believe that it is definitely worth it to pave with asphalt.
After all, asphalt is one of the most affordable options and it adds to the curb appeal and value of your home. Of course, this does also require that you consider the other homes in your area and whether or not they have a paved driveway.
If you are trying to sell your house and considering adding a driveway or having yours refreshed, consider current market conditions. If it’s a seller’s market, it’ll be easy to find a buyer. On the other hand, if it’s a buyer’s market, you may need something special to catch the attention of potential buyers.
