Not many people think about the driveway when it comes to exterior design. They will focus on the lawn, the gardens, landscaping, and forget all about the driveway.

Whether it's your home, your business, or any other property, you need a nice driveway for walking on, driving, playing, and safe parking. Apart from that, a good driveway will;

● Boost the value of your property
● Improve the appearance of your property
● Create easy access to your property etc.

❏ So, how will you determine a Good Driveway?
Driveways vary depending on the design, colour, material, and texture. The colour and design are only meant to compliment your style and will not affect the driveway functionality in any way.

The material and texture, on the other hand, will affect both the functionality and the durability of your driveway. For that reason, you need to know the different types of materials and their properties to choose the one best suited for your needs.

Below are the seven most popular driveway surfaces and everything you need to know about them.

1. Resin Driveways
Resin is one of the most popular driveway materials and for good reasons. First and foremost, it is appealing to the eye and the ideal choice if you are going for a traditional look. Resin is also durable and is easy to maintain. Apart from that, resin driveways come in different designs, colours and can be used to serve several varied purposes.

Other benefits of resin driveways include;

- Minimal wear
- Pocket-friendly
- Are a Perfect surface around your home

One disadvantage of resin driveways is that they are susceptible to weeds if not well-maintained, and they are also not easy to repair. But with the help of a professional resin driveway company, you can ensure proper maintenance and prevent damage.

2. Concrete Driveways
Concrete is the most popular and the easiest to install driveway material. And like resin, concrete driveways come in different designs, colours, textures, and they also offer great flexibility when it comes to the visual appeal. They also have high durability and are affordable to install.

Other advantages include;

- Low maintenance
- Weed resistance
- Hard to wear etc

One major disadvantage, however, is that they do not do well in freezing weather. During these times, they become slippery and are very risky to use.

3. Block Paving Driveways
Block paving involves the use of stone blocks and kiln dried sand to build your driveway. Again they come in different colours and designs and are aesthetically pleasing. Examples of stones used for block paving driveways include but are not limited to;

- Sorrento Arissa
- Como Rustic Gold
- Como Granite Stone
- Sorrento Carrara Stone

And their advantages include;

- Easy repair
- High durability
- Several colours and designs to choose from
- Good value

Their disadvantages include;

- Expensive to maintain
- High maintenance
- Susceptible to efflorescence and lichens

4. Gravel Driveways
Gravel driveways are made up of tiny rocks, spread and leveled evenly to suit the landscapes. These rocks come in different colours and are easy to obtain, making it the cheapest option to build your driveway. Gravel driveways are also easy to install, and the best part is that you can combine them with other materials to lower the installation costs further. Apart from that, gravel requires very little maintenance and is useful to deal with water runoff.

Disadvantages of gravel driveways include;

- They shift over time.
- Does not do well in freezing weather
- Can hold debris

5. Tarmac Driveways
Tarmac driveways are cost-effective and are the ideal option to create safe parking space. Although not so appealing, tarmac is long-lasting and can go a long way to boost the value of your property. It is also the most practical option that does not require so much time and effort to maintain.

Their disadvantages include;

- Fading over time
- They get easily damaged by dry steering.

6. Indian Flagstone Driveways
Indian flagstones are mainly used to build patios, and sometimes driveways. They also come in different colours and designs, most especially the natural flagstones, which are unique and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, Indian flagstones are highly durable, cost-effective, require low maintenance, and can boost the value of your property by far.

Their disadvantages include;

- They do not do well in freezing weather.
- Are susceptible to efflorescence and lichen

7. Asphalt Driveways
Asphalt driveways are a common choice for most people because they are easy to install compared to most materials. They are the ideal option if you are looking to save some few coins on installation costs. The best part about them is their black colour, which melts any ice that may drop on the surface, keeping your driveway intact even in the extreme cold weather.

While this is a blessing, to some, it is also a curse. Asphalt is available in only one colour, and there are no customization options. Additionally, asphalt has a lot of trouble sealing, and that means you have to reseal it at least once in every four years. As a result, asphalt is costly to maintain.

Conclusion
Choosing the right driveway material is very important to your exterior design. Ideally, your driveway should complement your style, and above all, be able to withstand the test of time. These seven surfaces have been proven by the majority to provide that and more.