Kerb appeal can have a huge impact on people’s first impression of your home. In fact, the exterior appearance of your property can add or subtract thousands of pounds from its overall value, so it’s important to pay attention to this often neglected aspect.
You may think of your driveway as a purely functional part of your property, but it’s actually a key detail that can make or break the aesthetic appeal of your home. In addition to keeping your driveway clean and tidy, you’ll need to consider the type of driveway material you use to match your home and neighbourhood’s overall aesthetic. Plus, you’ll need to consider things like the type of maintenance and installation required for certain driveway materials, as well as the cost.
Not sure where to begin? Here at The Expert Gate Company, we know a thing or two about driveways and driveway gates. Read on to discover our essential guide to driveways, including tips on driveway materials, driveway maintenance and common driveway repairs.
Types of driveway materials
The first thing you have to do is think about what type of driveway material would suit your aesthetic preferences and lifestyle. In addition to having different material and installation costs, different driveways will require varying amounts of maintenance, which can include regular cleaning and sometimes seasonal repairs. Researching these materials beforehand will prevent you from choosing a high-maintenance driveway if you don’t have the time or money for repairs, or it can prevent you from choosing a driveway that takes too long to set after installation. This can be a nuisance if you need to use your driveway frequently.
When selecting a driveway material, it’s also important to consider the neighbourhood as a whole rather than just your own preferences. This may not be so much of an issue if you live in a solitary countryside property, but if you live in a suburban area with a distinct property style, choosing something very different can make your home stick out for all the wrong reasons. In the worst case scenario, picking a jarring driveway material could negatively impact your home’s kerb appeal and overall value.
So, what are the main types of driveway materials you can choose from? Let’s go through them below:
Gravel driveways
Gravel is one of the most popular driveway materials in the UK, and for good reason. This durable and low-maintenance material creates a natural and rustic look for your driveway, especially if you choose warmer toned colours. Plus, gravel is relatively easy to keep clean and tidy, and if it’s well maintained, your driveway could last for many years to come.
Another key benefit of gravel driveways is that they’re inexpensive compared to other materials. Installation is also pretty simple, involving shallow excavation for the driveway and the addition of gravel layer by layer. Each gravel layer is rolled down and compacted after it’s installed, and then it’s allowed to settle overnight before the next layer is added. Once all the layers have been added and compacted, you can start walking and driving on your gravel driveway immediately.
Proper installation should ensure that the gravel layers are slightly thicker in the middle of the driveway and thinner at the sides. Gravel driveways already have good drainage, but this installation will ensure that no water puddles form on your driveway. Gravel’s excellent drainage and durability make it a great choice for most driveways, with the exception of driveways on steep slopes. If there’s too much of an incline, the gravel can come loose and roll down, leaving gaps in your driveway. Resin-bound gravel can sometimes be used to mitigate this problem.
Concrete driveways
Another popular and common choice for UK driveways is concrete. This hardy and traditional material is often chosen because it’s one of the most cost-effective options for driveways. Plus, the appearance of concrete is very customisable, since you can choose from a wide variety of colours and imprinted designs. With these designs, you can imitate the appearance of a paved driveway without having to pay for this more expensive material.
If they’re maintained properly, concrete driveways can last for 30 years. This maintenance will involve regular sweeping and pressure washing, but overall, concrete is pretty easy to look after. This material is usually very durable too, so it’s a great choice for those who don’t want to spend too much time on driveway and garden maintenance.
However, in very cold weather, concrete can sometimes crack. In addition, the installation process can be an annoyance for some people, as the concrete will take up to a week to fully set. While the concrete is drying, you won’t be able to use your driveway at all.
Asphalt driveways
Looking for other cheap options? Asphalt is another cost-effective and easy-to-install driveway material that can last around 20 years if properly maintained. Unlike concrete, asphalt driveways can be used almost immediately after installation because this material sets very quickly. Asphalt is also more resistant to extreme temperatures. This is because it’s flexible enough to expand and contract in hot and cold conditions.
On the other hand, asphalt can be less durable than concrete. If you use your driveway a lot, asphalt can be more prone to developing cracks and holes due to the pressure. This makes asphalt more high maintenance, as you’ll have to fill in these signs of wear and tear more often.
Tarmac driveways
Tarmac (also known as ‘macadam’) is another inexpensive and long-lasting driveway material. Tarmac driveways can last for many years without much maintenance because of their good temperature resistance. Thanks to this durability, tarmac is also a great choice for driveways that are used frequently, especially if there are multiple or heavier vehicles involved.
Despite its ability to resist extreme temperatures, tarmac doesn’t do so well with snow, since snow removal can damage this material. Therefore, tarmac may not be the best choice if you regularly get a lot of snow in the winter.
Paved driveways
Paving slabs are a traditional and well-loved option for driveways. Paved driveways suit a wide variety of homes and neighbourhoods, adding a lot of charm and kerb appeal to your property. In particular, natural stone slabs add a rustic feel to your outdoor space, which could be perfect for older properties and cottages. Varying the shades of each stone slab can really enhance this effect and prevent your driveway from looking too precise, unnatural and out of place. Alternatively, you can opt for a neat, regular and even paving pattern that looks very tidy and is easy to clean and maintain.
However, paved driveways are usually more expensive than the other materials listed above. In addition, some natural stones can be quite brittle, so they may be prone to cracking in extreme temperatures or as a result of wear and tear. Replacing individual stones, bricks or slabs shouldn’t be too difficult, but the initial installation process can be quite costly and time consuming.
Cobblestone driveways
Cobblestone driveways are often regarded as just another type of paved driveway, but there are some slight differences. Cobblestone looks very traditional and rustic, and since this material is so well loved, it can add a lot of value to your property.
However, the surface of these driveways can be quite uneven, which can make cleaning and maintenance harder. Cobblestone driveways are also very expensive, so you’ll need to consider whether they’ll add enough value to your home to be worth the investment.
Glass driveways
Having a driveway made of glass sounds extremely impractical, but it doesn’t mean you’ll install a large sheet of glass to drive on. Instead, glass driveways are made up of small chips of glass encased in resin, creating a smooth, modern and stylish look.
Glass driveways are a great option for those looking for something unconventional and striking, but they’re very expensive to install. Plus, they’re also very divisive, so a glass driveway may actually have a negative impact on your home’s value depending on your neighbourhood.
Basalt driveways
Another uncommon option is a basalt driveway. These driveways are glossy and dark, and they can also add a very modern and stylish look to your home.
Again, this unconventional material is expensive to install, especially since not all companies will work with it. However, basalt is also very durable and easy to maintain, so it’s certainly not a bad choice for your driveway. Basalt driveways are highly resistant to extreme temperatures and just need regular power washing to keep them looking as good as new. However, this dark material can get very hot in the sun, so you may prefer to install your basalt driveway underneath some shady trees.
Driveway repairs and maintenance
Choosing a driveway material for your new driveway is only the first step. After it’s installed, you’ll need to regularly clean and maintain your driveway to keep it looking its best. This will also ensure that your driveway lasts for as long as possible.
As part of the driveway maintenance process, you’ll need to identify and repair signs of wear and tear before they get worse and threaten the structural integrity of your driveway. For example, if your driveway cracks after a particularly cold winter, you’ll have to fill in these cracks as soon as you can to prevent them from developing further.
Different materials need different maintenance routines, which is why it’s important to consider the maintenance required before you choose your driveway material. Plus, some materials are more prone to cracking than others, which means you may need to perform driveway repairs more often. Below, we’ll go through some maintenance and repair tips for the most common types of driveways in the UK:
Gravel driveway maintenance
Overall, gravel is pretty durable and easy to maintain. To keep your gravel driveway looking neat and tidy, we would recommend raking it regularly to remove debris. Weeds can grow along the edges of a gravel driveway, so these will need to be removed when they appear. Installing landscape fabric beneath the gravel is a great way to prevent weed growth and therefore reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do.
A common issue with gravel driveways is that they will erode as the gravel is displaced over time. Instead of just moving gravel from one area to another (which can just create holes elsewhere on your driveway), you should keep a bag of gravel to top up your driveway when it’s looking too thin. Remember to add slightly more gravel in the middle of the driveway to aid water drainage.
Concrete driveway maintenance
Concrete is also very durable and hard-wearing, but this doesn’t mean it doesn’t need maintenance at all. Luckily, concrete is pretty easy to clean and isn’t prone to much cracking. For regular maintenance, we would recommend sweeping your driveway with a stiff brush and power washing it regularly to keep it clean.
Unfortunately, concrete can absorb stains if they’re not dealt with quickly. For example, if you need to clean oil from your driveway, you should soak it up straight away with salt, sand or even cat litter. Leave the material there until the oil is absorbed, and then sweep it away. Stains can be treated with oil stain removers, laundry detergent, dish soap or baking soda.
Asphalt driveway maintenance
As mentioned earlier, asphalt can be prone to developing cracks and holes over time. Therefore, in addition to regular cleaning with a pressure washer, you’ll need to add a sealant to your asphalt driveway to prevent cracks or fill in small cracks that have already appeared.
Another potential issue is your driveway overheating in the summer. Asphalt is temperature-resistant but flexible, which means it can become soft in very hot weather. To prevent this, a longer-term solution is to plant shady trees around your driveway, or you can just hose it down with cold water on very hot days.
Finally, another thing you’ll have to pay attention to is the growth of moss, which can make your driveway slippery and dangerous. To remove moss from your driveway, you can use products like bleach, baking soda or vinegar. Spray the moss with your cleaning solution, leave it for a while, and then scrub the moss away with a hard-bristled brush.
Tarmac driveway maintenance
Overall, tarmac driveway maintenance is pretty similar to asphalt driveway maintenance since these materials are quite alike. For example, since both materials are dark, they can overheat during hot summers and may need to be cooled down with cold water. Plus, you should apply sealant to tarmac and asphalt driveways every few years to prevent cracking and extend their lifespan.
You can also buy tarmac repair fillers to fill in any cracks and holes that appear over time. Water can accumulate under the surface of your driveway and expand or contract as it freezes and thaws. This process creates cracks that need to be addressed as soon as possible, or they can develop into much larger holes that may damage your vehicle.
Paved and cobblestone driveway maintenance
With both paved and cobblestone driveways, maintenance can be a bit more tricky and time consuming. These driveways will need to be regularly swept and washed just like other driveways, but since they consist of many different slabs or bricks, weeds can easily grow in the cracks and create an unsightly mess. If left unchecked, these weeds can grow larger and start to disrupt your driveway, creating an uneven surface.
Therefore, you’ll need to regularly remove the weeds between paving slabs or cobblestones – weedkiller sprays can help with this. For normal cleaning, it may be best to scrub the bricks or slabs manually with soapy water, as pressure washing can wash away the sand between blocks and cause them to become loose. However, if this does happen after pressure washing, you can simply fill in the gaps with more sand. If there are sunken areas in your driveway, you can remove the uneven blocks and level out the underlying area with sand. Then, just reinstall the blocks and fill in the gaps.
General driveway maintenance tips
No matter what driveway material you choose, there are a few general guidelines you should follow to improve the appearance of your driveway and ensure it lasts a long time. These include:
- Sweeping your driveway regularly with a stiff brush to remove debris.
- Washing your driveway regularly with a pressure washer or just soap and water.
- Keeping darker materials (like tarmac and asphalt) cool in hot weather to prevent warping.
- Addressing repairs as soon as possible to prevent further cracking.
- Applying sealant to your driveway every few years.
- Ensuring proper water drainage with slightly sloped driveway surfaces.
- Removing weeds and moss when needed.
- Adding new gravel to gravel driveways when holes appear.
- Adding more sand to loose bricks in paved driveways if necessary.
- Installing driveway lighting as a finishing touch to improve security and driveway aesthetics.
In addition to driveway lighting, another finishing touch you shouldn’t forget is installing a driveway gate. Not only will driveway gates protect your property and improve garden privacy, but the right gates can also enhance the appearance of your home and potentially add value to it. Not sure what kind of driveway gate is right for you? Check out our article on how to choose the right driveway gate for your property.
Frequently asked questions about driveways
Do I need planning permission for my driveway?
You won’t need planning permission if your planned driveway is entirely on your property and will be made from permeable surfacing materials (e.g., gravel). However, if you plan to use impermeable materials (e.g., concrete or asphalt) and your driveway will be more than 5 square metres in size, you’ll need to get planning permission first.
You may also need to get planning permission if your planned driveway could affect access for other properties. Planning permission is also needed if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.
How much does driveway installation cost?
The cost of driveway installation will depend on the driveway material you choose and the size of your planned driveway. Plus, you should factor in additional costs like driveway maintenance and repairs. Some driveway materials require more maintenance or may not last as long, making them more expensive in the long run.
When considering the cost of your planned driveway, you should think about the potential value it could add to your home. An expensive driveway may seem more worth it if it’s going to add a lot of value, whereas an inexpensive driveway could end up actually costing you more money if it doesn’t fit your home’s aesthetic and negatively impacts its value.
What is the most popular driveway?
Gravel and concrete driveways are very popular due to their lower costs, durability, long lifespan and straightforward maintenance. However, you should always consider what’s best for you and your property instead of just picking the most common option.
Need help with your driveway or driveway gates? Visit our blog for more inspiration, or get in touch for specific advice about costs and the installation process.