Home Construction - what is best type of material for a drive way?

Question

looking to something other than asphalt, like stamped concrete or other material. something to make the front of house look nice

florida, no frost

Answer 1

It depends on where in the country you live. Concrete is better in the south. Black top stands up to cold better so it's better up north. Then again, we've looked into cobble stone or brick as a nice decorative touch.

Answer 2

Stamped concrete is fine but be careful with freeze/thaw areas. Look at other jobs that have survived a few winters. . Still it can look great especially if you vary the color, even throwing tinting powder over the colored concrete to give it a marbled effect before stamping.

Concrete paving stones are another option. They can resemble cobbles, bricks, etc.

In frost free areas they seal with concrete driveways with a color coat that is also a little shiney. Can be done inside the garage in colder climates, but can be slippery.

There are also semi permeable pavings, but I've not seen enough to have an opinion.

Answer 3

Concrete is good choice. Want something new, well almost new its been around for about ten years take a look at www.daichcoatings.com they have two products that are good alternatives to patterned concrete and can be done yourself. one product that I love is called SpreadStone I used this on my concrete Porch/Steps and then put boarder around my drive way and used a roll on stone coating called RollerRock. Problem with pattern concrete is sometimes the texture is to smooth and very very dangerously slippery when wet. What ever you do on your concrete make sure to spend the time to prepare the surface correctly, repair cracks and clean and probally will need to acid etch new concrete to take off grime and give it a good bonding surface when using a top coat. I have a large driveway 30 feet by 60 feet, it took me 4 days to do. One day to clean/etch, powerwash, next day primed, next day taped out pattern using grout line tape, textured primer acts as colored grout, next day I sealed it with good acrylic sealer. It cost me about $1.50 a sqft to-do been down for three years and looks good. I have some minor craks but that becuase of my concrete lifting I live in cold climate. Good Luck

Answer 4

I just put in concrete pavers. I chose them over stamped concrete because they are much more durable, no cracking ever, I also think they are much more attractive than stamped concrete. The price is comparable so for me it was the best choice.

Answer 5

Stamp-crete is awesome but MAKE SURE they do the proper prep or it will crack out or lift up all over the place... I have a pal that cut the corner and is now "paying the price"...

Also, add a little colour to the concrete... you can "sprinkle" it on the concrete once it's out of the truck... like a powder... terra cotta and grey look awesome together...

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I'd go with the stamped concrete or the brick pavers that interlock. You can even make a nice pattern with them.

Answer 7

Concrete is the only way to go. No maintenance. Just don't pour salt on them for at least several years, or the surface will crack and crumble.

Answer 8

Poured concrete.

Answer 9

Pavers are good and you can install them yourself if you are very handy.