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A driveway can blend in with your landscaping and be quite attractive. But what matters most is that the base underneath is strong enough to support the weight of a car over many years.
The first step involves digging down at least 12 inches (30 centimeters) - the depth will vary depending on the type of soil-over the entire driveway area. The contractor will then lay down crushed gravel and compact it. The driveway must be slanted, sloping toward the street or lawn, never toward the house. No matter what material is used, the surface must be very slightly arched to prevent water from pooling on it.
Asphalt is the least expensive and the least durable of the options. But if the work is done properly, an asphalt driveway should have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. The contractor must spread enough asphalt (it should be at least two inches or five centimeters thick once compacted), at the right temperature, and compacted correctly. Edging along the sides will prevent the asphalt from cracking. No sealer is necessary and no special maintenance is required. A new process for printing designs in asphalt has been developed in recent years.
Concrete is pricier than asphalt, but it is also more durable. If you take proper care of it (for example, leave a layer of snow on it in winter to protect it), it will remain in good condition for 20 to 25 years. For the best quality, use concrete that contains granite aggregate (more durable than limestone aggregate) and is at least five inches (13 centimeters) thick. Concrete can be coloured and a variety of finishes are available: broom finish, stamped concrete (designs that emulate stones) or exposed aggregate. Finally, your contractor will score the concrete so that it can expand and contract slightly without cracking. Several weeks later, they will cover the concrete with a sealer, a process that should be repeated once a year.
Always made of concrete when used for a driveway, paving stones can easily last 20 to 25 years. A contractor will use 60-millimetre-thick paving stones. Before installation the gravel should be covered with a layer of stone dust or concrete sand. To stabilize the paving stones, rim the driveway with an edging of bricks, paving stones, plastic or metal border (invisible because it is installed below ground level). Fill in the gaps with sand to stabilize the paving stones, and then cover the paving stones with a sealer.
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