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Types,
Materials and Benefits of Driveway Pavers
Most home owners are tired of plain concrete driveways that are in poor condition. They are now opting for durable
beautiful pavers that need little or no maintenance. When well installed, the driveway pavers add to the appeal and
value of the home.
Driveway pavers are of two types: mortar free and mortared pavers. The mortar pavers utilize mortar in between the
pavers and makes it difficult to maintain as the mortar creates a surface that is not flexible. Thus the mortarless
pavers become the ideal choice.
The mortarless pavers use a special sand mixture that makes the driveway solid but still flexible and replacement
of a paver that has cracked is made easier. It is important to note that all the pavers are not created
equally.
Well installed driveway pavers have flexible joints that can contract or expand when the ground underneath freezes
and can withstand high temperatures. The base thickness is mainly determined by the kind of soil and climate of a
given area. In areas that are cold where the clay soil is fine, a thick base is required. Whereas in warmer
temperatures the base is thinner as the soil drains better than clay.
Choice of material for the driveway pavers is determined by the taste of the homeowner as there are various
materials used in the making of these pavers. A concrete driveway paver that is well installed can last for at
least twenty years. Brick and stone pavers last for a minimum of 25 years.
Concrete pavers
They give an impression that they are made of stone and the cost is usually low. Concrete pavers are beneficial for
our driveways because:
Easy to install and do not crack easily like concrete slabs
There are very many designs available for the concrete driveway pavements
They are also available in different colors, shapes and sizes.
Can stand very harsh conditions
Brick driveway pavers
They are made from clay and are more expensive than concrete pavers
They are able to support loads that are heavy
The location of the paver joints helps to reduce chances of cracking
Easy to repair
Installation of the brick pavers is easy
Maintenance cost is low
The color of the bricks last for long periods of time. This is because they are made from natural materials of
clay.
Stone pavers
This is more expensive than the others. It is harder to install but they give an appearance that is very
classy.
by David Williams - October 15th, 2010
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