Give your Driveway a Facelift with Pavers

When it comes to increasing their home value and curb appeal, some homeowners are looking to their driveways for their next remodeling project. One popular method for refinishing this exterior space is with pavers. Pavers are a versatile building material that have several benefits, and with the help of your local general contractor, can be installed relatively quickly and easily. Unlike with concrete or asphalt driveways, a paver driveway does not require curing time and is ready to be used once it is installed and admired by those who drive by.

Types of pavers and popular patterns

While pavers are typically made of three materials, concrete, stone or brick, there is a wide variety of sizes, finishes, and styles that can be used. From smooth to stony surfaces, from cool grey to ruddy red, there is a paver that can meet every design need and be used to create stunning driveways. One or more styles can then be arranged into a variety of patterns. For example, a running bond pattern involves long parallel lines of pavers that can create the perception of a deep and wide driveway, even if that is not true of the actual surface area, while basket weave or herringbone patterns create a dynamic but classic look. Circular patterns can also be used to create a focal point in the driveway, or to create unique designs such as a shell shape. Combinations of these patterns offer the possibility of infinite design options with paver installation.

Durable, Flexible, and Eco-Friendly

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, pavers are also an excellent choice for many homeowners given their hardiness, flexibility, and environmental benefits. While most concrete and asphalt driveways are tested to withstand 2,000 lbs. on average, interlocking pavers have been rated to hold 7,500 lbs. A well-laid paver driveway also resists uneven settling and spalling, which is the wearing and erosion of the surface layer that reveals undesirable layers underneath.

Unlike with concrete or asphalt driveways, when it comes time to repair a portion of the driveway, damaged areas can be easily removed and replaced while maintaining continuity of the surface aesthetic. And when repairs to plumbing laid beneath the driveway need to be done, the sections laid above the problem area can be simply removed and re-laid when repairs are complete. No jackhammering or pouring concrete required.

A final but important advantage homeowners experience is the environmental benefits of using pavers. In a permeable paver driveway, water can flow to the ground beneath the driveway instead of running off, which is an important component of a community’s ground or storm water management system and why some municipalities even offer grants or tax incentives to those who install this type of driveway. Also, less runoff means less pollutants like oil and other garage or household chemicals being washed off the driveway into stormwater systems.

The general contractors at Mares & Dow Construction are the go-to experts in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1983.  Our team will ensure the job is done correctly the first time.  If you are looking to give your driveway a facelift using pavers, concrete, or another material, contact us today.