Driveway options? Concrete, Paved, or Brick?

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Well in the next year or so we will be putting in a new driveway. As it is now it is about 12 feet deep and 40 feet wide and gravel Bla... We are thinking about concrete, Paved, or even Brick/pavers. Does anyone have anything to add that may help us pick one over the other?
 
Paved is cheap and low maint, but needs to be refreshed every few years, so the cost is a wash.

Concrete is nice and even, but you'll freak the first time oil drips on it. Lasts forever IF poured properly and kept damp for the first week.



Brick pavers are beautiful, but are a pain to lay and get even (if you're doing the work yourself). Higher maint than concrete, but perhaps better drainage.



I love the look of brick.
 
My take: anything exposed to the elements will eventually crack, separate, and heave... that's Mother Nature at work



Paved: okay, does show stains, needs to be resealed every year or so.



Concrete: If done correcctly and reinforced should minimize cracking problems. Stains easily.



Brick: the most expensive, but it does look classy.



If I had to redo the driveway..my choice would be Brick!
 
How about a stamped concrete? My thoughts you get the low to no maint. of concrete but a better "brick" looking driveway. Just another option!
 
I had a "paver" driveway in my last location (Sun Valley, ID). Trust me, they are a real nuisance! The problem is that no matter how carefully laid they are, they will move around. Thaw and freeze moves them and they develop ruts from the weight of the car.



My current driveway is concrete with a variety of textures. It is as attractive as the pavers and is NO trouble at all with it.
 
I live in Florida and have a concrete driveway, with brick pavers as a border up each side.



I am presently contracting to have the pavers extended out 4 feet on the outside of the curve leading into the garage entrance. That will allow greater flexibility going into and out of the garage.



I think the final product will be efficient and classy looking.
 
I'd say brick pavers are by far the best looking solution. I am looking at getting them installed perhaps next spring. I would also consider stamped concrete as well. They can color it and apply some very nice textures.



$$ is a big factor here too. Pavers are probably the most expensive option!
 
Pavers suck. They heave way too easy and you will have to fill the joints in with sand and seal them like once a year. Concrete is the best way to go in my opinion. If they cut some control joints in the concrete then you will not have to worry about cracking. Also, make sure you pic a really good contractor. The best way to do that is to call your local city building department and have the inspector give you some recommendations. Most likely he won't say so and so is the ebst but he will give you names of good contractors. And he should know since he inspects their work.
 
Gonzo0903 said:
My take: anything exposed to the elements will eventually crack, separate, and heave... that's Mother Nature at work



Paved:...does show stains...



Concrete:...Stains easily.



Brick: the most expensive, but it does look classy.



If I had to redo the driveway..my choice would be Brick!
Click to expand...



Brick...also stains....



Concrete! Color and stamp it if you like the "look" of brick. I wouldn't want all the grooves for ice and dirt to catch in...but it's up to you.

You could find out about various concrete "surface treatments"....the post that told you about freezing/cracking problems of brick is right on. You do live in Indiana, don't you? Shoveling snow/ice off a brick surface must be real fun.

If you go brick ... find at least two people in your area who have brick and ask them how they like it. I think they could give you your best answers.
 
Our home is brick so we decided on concrete. Low maintainence and installed perfectly in terms of drainage pattern. Concrete will stain easily but for 2-4 hundred dollars a pressure washer removes everything (leaf stains (:shocked), oils ( darn visitors s-boxes ;) and tire dressings :o quite easily.
 
Cement with a pea gravel finish on the top. Popular in the 80's but it works well and hides stains.

ExposedAggWet_TN.jpg


hi-res picture example (56k=death)
 
We built in 1984 and have cement with a larger smooth gravel finish. It has held up beautifully over the past 20 years, and in spite of my kids driving and working on all manner of cars, clunkers,lawnmowers, mopeds, motorcycles, sand rails, etc, the stains don't show. Also the surface is "all weather" so you have better traction for vehicles and people in inclimate weather.
 
I second this. Is the technical term "aggregate?" I am thinking I remember that from my one summer-long construction gig. My parents have this in their driveway and it is sectioned off. Thus, if you have cracking anywhere (and they haven't after 20 years of hard use) you can replace only that section. Powerwashing every two years keeps it looking brand new:xyxthumbs



LouisanaJeeper said:
Cement with a pea gravel finish on the top. Popular in the 80's but it works well and hides stains.

ExposedAggWet_TN.jpg


hi-res picture example (56k=death)
Click to expand...
 
Well I was watching HGTV :o and saw a show that had concrete which was stained a certain shade to compliment the color of the house.
 
My order of preference is aggregate concrete, then brick, then stamped concreate, concrete, paved.



Paver's are fine. My mom's place we have had it for 15+ years and sure the bricks drop a bit but it's very easy to reset then in about 1hr. Sanding and sealing is no big deal either other than cost. Stick with a good design and try not to incorporate to many circles etc which is a weaker design than simply using a 4-6 pattern square design. The Y shaped pavers provide a lot of contact points thereby increasing the stability of the driveway.



Stamped concrete is okay but I'm still on the fench about it. Too often the impregnated colours are awful on some jobs people get way to carried away with it making it look cheesy. Also, depending on the stamping, I've found it at some houses to be very very slick in the winter and when it's wet. Make sure to get a nice texture on it.



Paving is awful. You need to seal it, gets very very hot in the summer and sticky etc.



For me, either aggregrate or straight concrete is probably best. Plus the money you save can go towards landscaping which will make a big difference.



Paco
 
Don't forget about drainage. My driveway (that I share with a neighbor) slopes towards my garage. The paving company did a horrible job of directing the flow of rain and melting snow. They created a low spot in front of the garage. That does not drain. They came out and shaved and tried to reshape it. They would not do anything else about it. You are used to gravel so it drains real well now. My vote is for pavers or stamped concrete.
 
2001civicex said:
Pavers suck. They heave way too easy and you will have to fill the joints in with sand and seal them like once a year.
Click to expand...



I live in the great Midwest. Heave-Central, USA. And have NEVER had an issue. And I NEVER fill the joints with anything. You are not supposed to. They fit tight together. You can't squeeze a toothpick between these bricks. They are shaped to "lock" together. And they require zero maintenance.



I have had my pavers for over 6 years now and the area is till flat and perfect. If something does drip oil on it simply spray Aerosol Brake Parts Cleaner on it and it comes right off.



I like the look better than bright white of new concrete and the shiny look of some of the faux pepple finishes, personally. And, though this has never happened to me yet, if something were to damage a section..lets say I drop a jack and chip a brick..I can replace a paver or individually or by section.



standard.jpg
 
I agree Brad. My parent's home has had paver for over 40 years. Some settling but nothing major. In your situation the brick compliments the house light color textured exterior. I have the opposite situation with a brick home where concrete looks better especially considering the brick walled lower driveway ( basement detailing garage) and two-level back area with 3 car brick garage would not look right with all that being brick. Not to mention the cost difference between pavering this amount of area. :shocked
 
A classy car in a classy driveway, with a classy garage owned by a guy with class! :xyxthumbs



One of my clients has a brick driveway..installed over 20 years ago, no problems whatsoever..and that is here in snowy/rainy/sunny/hot/cold and everything in between New England.
 
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