Paving
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Contents
Material Comparison
Asphalt Driveway | Concrete Driveway | Pavers Driveway | |
---|---|---|---|
Cost | $2.50 - $4.00 /sq.ft. | $4.00 - $6.00+ /sq. ft. | more expensive than concret |
Durability | Less durable. Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from de-icing salts. | More durable. Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from salts. | More durable. |
Weather Issues | Softens in high heat | Cracks in freezing temperatures | more resilient |
Longevity | 20 years+ | 40 years+ | longer than concret |
Maintenance | Resealing every 3-5 years | Sealing optional; occasional degreasing | coating Optional |
Finishes | None | Multiple types | Many types |
Colors | Primarily black | Multiple color options | Many choices |
Resurfacing | Yes | No | No |
Repairs | Easy | Difficult | Easy |
Concrete
Pros
- Longer lifespan than Asphalt
- Can withstand great centralized loads
- Spills rarely damage it
Cons
- More expensive than Asphalt
- Can crack due to settlement
Asphalt
Pros
- Easy to shape
- Cost effective
- Can set up quickly
Cons
- The edges are fragile and can break away easily unless edged with curb.
- Roots of trees and shrubs can crack and heave asphalt.
- The homeowner sealers don't perform as well as the commercial sealers
- Spills of oil or gasoline can eat away the sealer leaving behind nothing more than crunchy gravel.
Pavers
Pros
- Many patterns and colors to choose
- Easy to replace
Cons
- Expensive
Preparing the area for concrete
- Level of difficulty: Hard
- Estimated time taken: 4 hours
- Tools required:
- Wood or plastic forms
- Level
- Gravel
- Water
- Tamper
Step 1: Lay your forms
- These can either be plastic or wood
- Ensure your forms are level
Step 2: Lay gravel
- Pour about 1" of gravel and compact with a tamper
- Mist the gravel
Example Video:
Pouring a concrete driveway
- Level of difficulty: Hard
- Estimated time taken: 1-2 days
- Tools required:
- Grass seed
- Fertilizer
- Soil
- Water
How to:
Step 1: Lay concrete
- Start on the side closest to the building/house
- Slowly add concrete and use a concrete rake to ensure it stays relatively even during the pouring process
- Pour a few feet of concrete, the spread it out, pour a few more feet, then spread it out
- Once you have about 15-20 feet of concrete poured, begin leveling it by hand with a concrete putty knife, beginning at the perimeter and working your way inward
- Then use a jitter bug to push the concrete down while keeping it level
- Following the jitter bug, use a bull float to flatten it
- Continue until you have reached the end of the drive way
Step 2: Edging
- Use an edger to begin the edging, flattening, and smoothing on the perimeter
Step 3: Cut control joints
- Every 10 feet or so, make a slice in the concrete to create two separate slabs
- Use a long board you can lay across and also use as a straight line guide
- Smooth out the concrete as you go
Step 4: Continue flattening
- Finish flettening and smoothing on the boards you lay across for your control joint cutting
- Continue until you have a completely smooth surface with the exception of the control joints
Step 5: Texture
- Add any texture or design on the concrete as you please
- Finish with edging around the perimeter of each slab
Step 6: Seal the concrete
- Apply sealer to the concrete and let dry over night
Example Video: