Are you tired of your old gravel driveway? It’s understandable, while gravel is inherently cheap to install and can be easy to maintain it does have several downsides such as its messiness, difficulty to shovel in the snow and of course its lack of curb appeal. Luckily there are several other cost effective options that can be installed directly over your existing driveway with little to no excavation. If you are thinking of upgrading your old dusty gravel driveway there are several options to choose from that may suit your aesthetic and practical needs.


Asphalt Driveway Repair and Maintenance

Like gravel, asphalt driveways are relatively inexpensive to install and are able to hold up to heavy use. About 90% of all parking surfaces in the United States are asphalt covered. Asphalt can actually work with your landscaping and unlike gravel has the added advantage of not scattering. Asphalt does need to be monitored for cracks and other damages periodically.Much like the roads you drive on, without proper and timely maintenance small cracks can turn into larger divots or even potholes. In no time at all you could up wit a sunken driveway.

Concrete Driveway Repair and Maintenance


Concrete, at $4-10 per square foot, is slightly more expensive to install than asphalt, but is amazing versatile and and resilient. Properly installed concrete driveways can have a lifespan of 25 to 50 years if taken care of appropriately. Concrete can add an understated yet elegant touch to your home’s landscaping. Concrete repairs can come at a price. When it is time to repair cracks in your driveway, it is recommended that entire slab is replaced, to avoid color inconsistencies.

Brick Driveway Repair and Maintenance


Brick adds a stylish touch to your driveway and can work to increase not only your home’s curb appeal, but also your property value. Brick pavers, however, are the most expensive of the previous options. Each square foot of brick can generally run you about $15. The trade off of this cost comes in it’s ease of maintenance and repair. If a paver is damaged it is easily replaced without having to do major excavation work. You may have to occasionally pull weeds that grow between the cracks, but certain liners can lessen the occurrence of growth.

Regardless of your choice, make sure to find a reputable contractor. The key to having a long lasting driveway starts with proper installation.