Are you tired of your ugly, cracked driveway? It's time to consider your options for driveway paving materials. In Calgary, there are several choices available, including asphalt, concrete, and paving stone. But which one is the best for your property?
In this blog, we'll compare the pros and cons of each material, including their cost, maintenance, and longevity. We'll also share why we believe paving stone is the clear winner for driveway paving in Calgary.
If you're looking to add a touch of class to your home while reducing maintenance and aggravation, read on. A Green Future Calgary landscaping is here to help you with your driveway paving needs. Contact us at 403-547-6551 or info@AGreenFuture.ca to learn more.
Driveway Paving: Comparing Asphalt, Brick, and Concrete in Calgary - Why Paving Stones Are the Clear Winner | A Green Future Landscaping
Are you tired of looking at your ugly, cracked driveway and ready for an upgrade? With so many driveway paving materials available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your Calgary home. In this blog post, we'll compare the pros and cons of three popular options: asphalt, concrete, and paving stones.
When it comes to asphalt, it may be the cheapest option, but it also comes with a laundry list of cons such as poor longevity, high maintenance, and an unattractive appearance. On the other hand, while concrete driveways are a popular choice in Calgary, they are prone to cracking and are difficult to repair.
That leaves us with paving stone driveways as the clear winner. Though slightly more expensive than concrete, paving stones offer durability, minimal maintenance, and a beautiful aesthetic. Plus, they can easily be repaired without any evidence of disturbance.
At A Green Future Calgary Landscaping, we specialize in installing paving stone driveways and can help you create a stunning, cohesive outdoor space that complements your new driveway. Contact us today to discuss your driveway paving needs.
Driveway Paving: Comparing Asphalt vs. Brick vs. Concrete
It’s time. You just can’t take that ugly, cracked driveway any longer. You’ve looked enviously at driveways on your commute and there seem to be so many options that it makes you dizzy.
In Calgary, here are several options for driveway paving materials. Understanding which material is best for your property can give your home that touch of class you’re looking for while reducing maintenance and aggravation.
Calgary Options for Driveway Paving Materials
Asphalt Driveway Paving
This is clearly the cheapest choice for driveways for a number of reasons. Approximately 5-10% of Calgary homeowners choose asphalt when installing a new driveway, this number is mostly because of the acreage homes in and around Calgary area.
The cost is typically around $10/sq. ft. Even with the best installation, asphalt will only last about 1-5 years, chipping, fading, and cracking along the way.
Asphalt driveways will need to be sealed every few years to keep them looking nice and will definitely be the scorching hot under the summer sun.
You may save some money on the front end, but installing an ugly asphalt driveway isn’t worth the little bit of money you’ll save.
Asphalt Driveway Paving Pros: Cheap
Asphalt Driveway Paving Cons: Ugly, cracks, high maintenance, poor longevity
Concrete Driveway Paving
Approximately all of newly installed driveways in the Calgary and surrounding areas are made of poured concrete. This driveway paving method ranges from a standard, poured application or stamped concrete or exposed aggregate.
Stamped concrete driveways are only cosmetically different than traditional poured concrete driveways to try to imitate paving stone driveways. In some instances, this imitation could even be more costly than pavers.
The cost for most concrete driveway paving applications ranges around $15/sq. ft. Concrete driveways are extremely likely to develop cracks, even within months of installation if not next day.
In fact, the installation of concrete driveways actually plans for this cracking by placing expansion joints to try to direct the crack when it happens along a defined line. Concrete can also chip which cannot be easily repaired without noticing unsightly patches.
Concrete Driveway Paving Pros: Moderate price, moderate maintenance
Concrete Driveway Paving Cons: Very prone to cracking, difficult to repair, ugly expansion joints
Paving stone Driveway Paving
This material is becoming increasingly more popular as driveway paving material, particularly in Calgary. Approximately 1% of new driveway installations in every community in Calgary use interlocking paving stones (pavers).
The cost of paving stone driveways is just slightly higher than most concrete driveways, but pavers offer a number of fantastic features other driveway paving materials do not. For a starting cost of approximately $25/sq. ft., paving stone driveways offer the strongest material you can park or drive on.
One distinct advantage of paving stone driveways is their ability to be repaired. It’s rare to have an area settle with an expert installation due to this flexible, interlocking alternative. However, if repair is warranted or an area needs to be temporarily removed to run an underground conduit or a utility line, this type of driveway can easily be repaired with virtually no evidence of disturbance.
Paving stone Driveway Paving Pros: Most durable, easily repaired, minimal maintenance, longest lifespan, beautiful aesthetic options
Paving stone Driveway Paving Cons: Slightly higher cost for installation
The Clear Winner for Driveway Paving Materials
Without a doubt, choosing paving stones for your new driveway is the winning option for your Calgary property.
These classy materials will not only save you aggravation, but can increase the value of your home. Many Calgary homes have small front yards which can be beautifully designed to unite a gorgeous new driveway with a complementing paver stone walkway and well-thought out plantings.
Who Should Install Your New Paving stone Driveway?
We’d love to talk about your driveway paving needs! Give us a call
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