Best Paving Materials For Your Driveway or Parking Lot

Best Paving Materials For Your Driveway or Parking Lot

Is your home or business in need of some new paving? If so, it might be hard to choose from the variety of paving materials out there. As ancient as this craft is, new ideas are constantly being implemented, so the list of available materials can seem endless.

To help you find the best option, we’ll dive into 3 tried and true paving materials in this article. Take your specific needs, environment, and budget into account, and you’re sure to find the perfect fit for you below.

Gravel

It’s easy to see why gravel is one of the most popular paving materials used today. Although it does come with its maintenance considerations, the initial installation costs are low.

Aesthetically, gravel is a widely versatile paving option. It offers a range of appearances, from neutral gray to a variety of color palettes. The crushed stone provides a vibrant texture, and the final product is as eye-catching as it is practical.

If laid by a skilled gravel installation expert, a gravel driveway or parking lot can last well over 100 years. Of course, it must be carefully maintained in order to accomplish that. Given its strong composition, gravel is resistant to dynamic climate variations and won’t be affected by freeze-thaw cycles. However, depending on the grading of the gravel, snow removal must be conducted by a professional so as not to strip the material.

Concrete

Concrete paving is a reliable option for a driveway or parking lot. Despite its relatively high installation costs, concrete is a low maintenance material, making it cost-effective in the long run.

Similarly to gravel, concrete offers home and business owners an array of design options that range from simple to elaborate, since it can be finished in a vast selection of textures and colors. Additionally, you have the option of adding a visually appealing aggregate to the mixture to help provide contrast in the design.

When installed by an experienced paving contractor in Toronto, concrete can last anywhere between 25-50 years. It’s important to wait 7 days following the installation before setting a parked vehicle over the lot. Despite its overall resilience, concrete is susceptible to cracking from frost heave and can be damaged by the salt in certain de-icers.

Asphalt

Asphalt paving is another extremely popular option, especially in colder climates. Because of the material’s malleability, it’s highly resilient when faced with rolling freeze-thaw cycles. This is also helped by its slick black surface, which retains heat well.

Although asphalt doesn’t offer the aesthetic versatility as our other two options, home and business owners love its signature dark look. Whether it’s used for parking lot paving or driveway paving, asphalt is sure to make a sleek impression.

With moderate maintenance, asphalt can last around 20 years. Maintenance is the main drawback of this material, since its surface requires sealing every 2-3 years. Despite that, it’s among the 3 most popular choices for a driveway or parking lot, and for good reason.