Adding Character To Your House Through Affordable Driveways
By Simply Driveways|August 29, 2018
The driveway is the piece de resistance of your front yard’s aesthetics as it is the first thing guests would see when they arrive at your property. Naturally, it’s essential to get your driveway looking schmick if you want to impress. But not everyone has stacks of cash to blow on aesthetic appeal. Thankfully, there a few affordable driveway options that can add considerable character to your home without breaking the bank account.
The gravel driveway
Very affordable and easy on the eye, gravel is an excellent option for those on a budget who want an attractive end product. Part of the appeal of gravel is it is very easy to install. All you need to do is spread it around and roll it over with a steamroller and you’re done. The effect looks best on rural properties, especially those with long and windy driveways. However, it can look quite nice in some urban environments as well.
It’s also effortless to repair too, requiring little more than a bucket of gravel, a shovel, and a rake. High permeability means it’s somewhateco-friendly as well. Of course, there are some downsides as well. Gravel is a nightmare in the snow, but that shouldn’t bother many of us here in Australia. It can also create a mess due to flying debris and is known to become worn out from excessive traffic.
The concrete driveway
Concrete may not be the first material that comes to mind when you’re looking to add some character to your home. But that’s only because you’re probably not familiar with all the different varieties on offer. Forget about plain old ordinary concrete driveway. Opt for a coloured, textured or exposed aggregate variety instead. These elegant and colourful mixtures are durable, affordable to install, easy to maintain, and really look the part on your typical Aussie suburban home. In fact, these concrete types are the go-to material for home owners who want to install an eye-catching driveway within an affordable budget.
The asphalt driveway
Installing an asphalt driveway is a sure-fire way to improve your curb appeal without breaking the bank. Despite its super low installation cost, asphalt can retain itscolourand composure for as long as 35 years. It may only come in black, but homeowners can create allsorts of ornate engravings around the edges to add some seriousdriveway cache. On the downside, asphalt doesn’t handle the extreme heat too well. It needs to get resealed every three to five years.
The paving stone driveway
Paving stones look stunning and are surprisingly affordable. Whether you opt for a zigzag brick design, or something more natural and geometric, the paver will make your driveway shine. One of the great advantages of paving stones is how easy they are to repair. Unlike other driveway types, they don’t tend to crack in extreme temperatures or suffer excessive wear and tear from too much use. Best of all, when a paving stone does eventually give way, just swap in a new one rather than replacing the entire driveway. Drop by your local landscaping store and ask what they have on special. Pavers probably cost less than you think.
These are just a sample of the different affordable driveways out there. With a little research and imagination, you needn’t spend a fortune to get your front yard looking amazing. At Simply Driveways, we have a wide range of concrete driveways available (standard finish, slate paving, stencil concrete and exposed aggregate) and a 5-year structural guarantee, quotation & price guarantee, and service & satisfaction guarantee. Contact us for a measure & quote.
The gravel driveway
Very affordable and easy on the eye, gravel is an excellent option for those on a budget who want an attractive end product. Part of the appeal of gravel is it is very easy to install. All you need to do is spread it around and roll it over with a steamroller and you’re done. The effect looks best on rural properties, especially those with long and windy driveways. However, it can look quite nice in some urban environments as well.
It’s also effortless to repair too, requiring little more than a bucket of gravel, a shovel, and a rake. High permeability means it’s somewhateco-friendly as well. Of course, there are some downsides as well. Gravel is a nightmare in the snow, but that shouldn’t bother many of us here in Australia. It can also create a mess due to flying debris and is known to become worn out from excessive traffic.
The concrete driveway
Concrete may not be the first material that comes to mind when you’re looking to add some character to your home. But that’s only because you’re probably not familiar with all the different varieties on offer. Forget about plain old ordinary concrete driveway. Opt for a coloured, textured or exposed aggregate variety instead. These elegant and colourful mixtures are durable, affordable to install, easy to maintain, and really look the part on your typical Aussie suburban home. In fact, these concrete types are the go-to material for home owners who want to install an eye-catching driveway within an affordable budget.
The asphalt driveway
Installing an asphalt driveway is a sure-fire way to improve your curb appeal without breaking the bank. Despite its super low installation cost, asphalt can retain itscolourand composure for as long as 35 years. It may only come in black, but homeowners can create allsorts of ornate engravings around the edges to add some seriousdriveway cache. On the downside, asphalt doesn’t handle the extreme heat too well. It needs to get resealed every three to five years.
The paving stone driveway
Paving stones look stunning and are surprisingly affordable. Whether you opt for a zigzag brick design, or something more natural and geometric, the paver will make your driveway shine. One of the great advantages of paving stones is how easy they are to repair. Unlike other driveway types, they don’t tend to crack in extreme temperatures or suffer excessive wear and tear from too much use. Best of all, when a paving stone does eventually give way, just swap in a new one rather than replacing the entire driveway. Drop by your local landscaping store and ask what they have on special. Pavers probably cost less than you think.
These are just a sample of the different affordable driveways out there. With a little research and imagination, you needn’t spend a fortune to get your front yard looking amazing. At Simply Driveways, we have a wide range of concrete driveways available (standard finish, slate paving, stencil concrete and exposed aggregate) and a 5-year structural guarantee, quotation & price guarantee, and service & satisfaction guarantee. Contact us for a measure & quote.
