The Most Popular Driveway Materials

Do you want the best driveway in your neighbourhood or corporate estate? – Of course you do.

It’s only natural to want the best. You feel like you deserve the best, and the way that you present yourself to the world means everything. So in that respect, it makes a lot of sense to invest in the most popular driveway materials.

What are these materials? What do they mean? What are the characteristics and composition of each? Well, to try and help you figure out exactly what driveway material is the best for you, we thought we would take a look at all of the popular ones.

Here at FM Paving we have compiled a list of the best driveways types and most popular driveway materials we use daily in Loughborough and surrounding areas.

Resin Driveways

The first type of driveway that you could have is a resin variant. These come in two different forms – resin-bound and resin-bonded. Technically speaking, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two, but it’s good to know the distinction.

Your average resin driveway offers a selection of colours and styles. It is always water permeable, and is reasonably durable considering what it is. However, if you don’t prepare a resin driveway properly, it can crack, and if a problem does develop down the line, repairing it can be quite challenging. However, this can also be quite a valuable option and one which does look quite good if done correctly.

Tarmac Driveways

The tarmac driveway is the second variant that we will be looking at, and is one of the most heavy duty on the list. Tarmac is incredibly durable, it’s powerful, and it needs professional assistance to put down properly. However, once it says, it’s an incredibly tough surface to build a driveway from.

Tarmac is used quite a lot in corporate settings because it does have a long lifespan. It’s relatively inexpensive as well, which makes it a good investment, and you wouldn’t need masses of it for your typical domestic driveway. Think of tarmac as being good if you want a driveway that you can put down and promptly forget about for a couple years – you might have to resurface the driveway sometimes, but that’s not so bad.

Block Paving Driveways 

The third type of driveway option that you can work with is the block paving choice. This is a good one if you’re looking for a smooth and easy to work with experience, without doubt. The whole thing has been designed to be set down in blocks, hence the name.

However, it’s important to realise that you’re unlikely to be able to lay down the blocks yourself in a complicated fashion, and these types of driveways do require regular cleaning. However, if you’re prepared to put the time and effort in, this is definitely a good choice. With a selection of different styles and configurations for the blocks themselves, you’ll find that this is very much at home for someone who is looking for a sophisticated pattern.

Gravel Driveways

Your typical gravel driveway is something which can be good for people on a budget. Not only is this a strong and versatile product, but it’s also quite cheap to acquire in large quantities. When all of the gravel pieces are together, they form a solid layer upon which a car can rest.

In addition to being pretty cheap to work with, you’ll also come to notice that a gravel driveway is one which is very good for warding off burglars. Being quite a loud substance to walk on means that gravel can be a good choice if you want some warning when someone is coming to your home. Just be aware that you’re going to have to top up your driveway from time to time and you’ll be good to go.

Tegula Paving Driveways 

Tegula paving is the last option that we’ll be taking a look at today, and it is also one of the more popular options too. This is the original when it comes to paving options. It’s composed of small, uniform bricks which are neatly arranged in a pattern, suitable for any occasion.

One of the primary advantages to a Tegula paving solution is that it has application in a lot of different places. If you need a solution for a commercial, domestic or even a civil property, then this is the choice to go for. It’s neat, tidy and a pretty good investment. This is one of those choices that you go for when you’re after some nostalgia – it’s one of the more interesting and reliable options, which makes it a good pick for people who want something a little more traditional to work with.

Closing Thoughts

All of these driveway materials make up a spectrum in terms of price, labour requirements, and overall difficulty. Some will be more suited to a given situation than others – a commercial property which has a regular influx of vehicles on site might benefit more from tarmac, for example. Identifying which of the materials is best for you largely boils down to preference, however.

Generally speaking, a good driveway is usually an investment. The overall costs can often be a little higher than you would like, but fundamentally, it will be worth it. The driveway is often the first thing that people see when they approach the property – it forms the basis of their initial impressions. So logically, it’s a good idea to present yourself in a way that works for you.

Giving out a recommendation is understandably tricky to do. You see, it’s often a case of taking a look at the overall aesthetic and style of your property to see what kind of driveway would be best. After all, you need your driveway to match up with the rest of the property otherwise it’ll look out of place. We’re more than happy to sit down with you and help you to figure it out though. We have considerable experience in driveways and helping people to find their perfect fit. If you’re interested, give us a call and we’ll see what we can do.