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The top 3 low maintenance driveway options

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Alex, Staff Writer

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

As well as offering a practical and level surface to drive or walk upon, driveways can add some serious curb appeal to your property, especially when they are newly installed. 

However, not all driveway surfaces are created equal. If you have a busy lifestyle, struggle with your mobility or simply want to keep the long-term costs down, it’s imperative you choose a material for your driveway that is as fuss-free as possible. 

In no particular order, here are 3 low-maintenance driveway options that you should consider for your project. 

Resin

A resin driveway is made from a mixture of aggregate stones that are compacted onto a layer of tarmac. In addition, a glass beading course is added on top of the resin to give a non-slip finish, which is especially handy if your driveway is prone to rain, snow or ice.

Resin driveways come in several different colours and can have an optional UV filter, preventing them from fading when exposed to sunlight. 

Because the resin sits on top of several sealed layers underneath, weeds cannot grow through. This makes resin ideal for those who don’t want to spend time treating the surface, as you would have to do with the gaps in between block paving as an example. Also, stains will usually wash away on their own with rainfall, or a broom and some light detergent may be required in rare instances. Other than that, resin is incredibly hassle-free. 

Concrete

The perks of concrete are that it’s cheap, sets quickly and offers a seamless surface. This means instead of spending days laying individual paving stones, you can dramatically reduce the time and labour involved by covering your driveway with concrete in one go. 

Concrete can also be interlaced with pavers or landscaping if you did wish to add some decorative features. Though, concrete is usually used on its own, especially for long driveways which would be too expensive to pave.

If you need to drill underneath the concrete, then you can easily patch it up again. However, it’s best to undertake any such work (i.e carrying out drainage work or removing tree roots) before you lay your concrete driveway for the best results. 

Gravel

With gravel, you don’t need a concrete mixer or even any excavation work. All that’s needed is for the gravel to be placed in a pile on your driveway and distributed evenly with a rake. You can select single or mixed colours to match the look of your property. 

To ensure your gravel driveway is as low maintenance as can be, you should make sure the ground is even and well lined before the gravel goes on top. In particular, a weed barrier will save you a lot of trouble, as it will mean no plant matter can grow through. 

Another great aspect of gravel is it’s not sensitive to high traffic areas. Therefore, it won’t crack, develop potholes or even sink over time. Whatsmore, a gravel driveway is an excellent burglar deterrent too. 

Driveway Installers near me

Before you install your driveway, it always pays to consider how much maintenance you can dedicate to it. That way, your driveway will continue to look fantastic for years to come, especially if you know you don’t have time to remove weeds, pressure wash or even carry out repairs. 

Resin, concrete and gravel are some of the most low-maintenance friendly driveway options available. If you need further help or advice, or if you’re ready to go ahead with your driveway installation, you can find trusted Driveway Installers near you on Bark. 

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