Choosing The Right Material for Your Paved Driveway

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Choosing The Right Material for Your Paved
Driveway
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• A well-constructed and maintained driveway can
  make a real statement about a home, and as such,
  investing in them makes a lot of sense. If your
  existing driveway is less than impressive, or you
  want to create one from the space outside your
  home, its important to make the right choices
  when it comes to the materials you use. The
  following brief guide will give you a basic idea
  about the different materials available, but a
  conversation with your local paving or general
  construction contractor, will help give you a
  much more detailed understanding

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• Asphalt driveways
• Commonly used as a driveway surfacing material by
  homeowners the length and breadth of the country,
  asphalt is an affordable and durable choice. When
  professionally installed, an asphalt driveway can
  last for more than 20 years, although it may
  require a few minor repairs throughout its
  lifespan. Below are its pros and cons

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• Pros
• Cost effective
• Durable lasts for longer than 20 years on
  average
• Repairs are typically minor and affordable
• Its aesthetically pleasing
• Able to withstand freeze and thaw cycles

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• Cons
• While repairs are often minor, they are often
  required frequently
• Concrete driveways
• Highly durable and long lasting, concrete
  driveways often require minimal maintenance and
  repairs. Below are its pros and cons
• Pros
• Minimal maintenance
• Minimal repairs
• Incredibly durable

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• Cons
• It can be expensive
• Oil stains may be retained
• Unable to withstand freeze and thaw cycles as
  well as other materials
• Stamped concrete driveways
• Stamped concrete is a cost-effective alternative
  to a stone or brick driveway, and is patterned or
  embossed to make it closely resemble brick, tile
  or stone. Below are its pros and cons

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• Pros
• Can be used on a variety of surfaces, such as
  patios, sidewalks and driveways
• Design options are varied
• Costs less than stone or brick
• Cons
• If the concrete mixture is too dry, it has a
  tendency to crack prematurely
• Under heavy traffic load, it can crack and
  develop scratches

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• Chip sealed or tar-and-chip driveway
• Typically costing around half the amount of a
  standard asphalt driveway, this kind of material
  is a cost-effective alternative for homeowners on
  a budget. Below are its pros and cons
• Pros
• Its rough surface affords better traction
• It can last for as long as a decade
• There is no need for it to be repeatedly sealed

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• Cons
• Snowplows can damage it
• Has a limited lifespan
• Exposed driveways
• With smooth textured stones as part of the
  concrete surface, exposed driveways are a
  popular, aesthetically pleasing choice for many
  homeowners today. The most commonly used
  aggregates for these driveways are rocks, pebbles
  and sand. Below are its pros and cons

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• Pros
• Can withstand heavy traffic and loads
• Performs well in both snow and rain
• Minimal cleaning and maintenance are required
• Cons
• Surface stones can become dislodged in extreme
  weather conditions or by heavy objects

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• Interlocking pavers
• Imitating the look of a cobbled pathway,
  interlocking pavers are usually made out of
  concrete or cement, and are more expensivebut
  highly durable and very attractive. Below are its
  pros and cons
• Pros
• Can be installed quickly
• Resistant to weather and can last longer than 30
  years
• Easy to repair as individual pavers can simply be
  replaced
• Water runoffs are reduced thanks to the permeable
  surface

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• Cons
• The pavers can become loose over time, if not
  correctly installed
• Whatever type of material you choose to have your
  driveway made from, always choose an experienced,
  local contractor to complete the work, and listen
  to their maintenance advice for the coming years.

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• RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive
  construction company and paving contractor in
  Astoria NY. From initial design to final clean
  up, our results speak for themselves. We are
  fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide
  both commercial and residential construction
  services to customers in Astoria and the
  surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State
  for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If
  you are looking for a general contractor or
  paving contractor in Queens NY or want to know
  more about our wide range of professional but
  affordable construction and repair services,
  reach out to us at [phone].