If you have a gravel driveway, you are already aware of its advantages. Gravel is inexpensive and it can take a beating, making it a good choice for rugged applications. However, gravel also has a number of significant drawbacks. Paving your driveway can cut down on maintenance, create curb appeal, and make it much easier to cope with winter weather. While it is a bit more expensive upfront than gravel, many homeowners find that asphalt is worth the investment. Here are the top 5 reasons that many homeowners choose to pave their gravel driveways.
Paved Driveways Vs. Gravel Driveways
1. Paving Your Driveway is Aesthetically Pleasing
Because it is loosely packed and always shifting, gravel can look messy and unfinished. A paved driveway creates clean lines, adding a sense of style and grace that complements almost any home. Asphalt is less expensive than other options, such as pavers and concrete, but creates a similar streamlined aesthetic. You have invested significantly in your home, so why pull down its look with a gravel driveway that appears unfinished?
2. Gravel Driveways Require More Maintenance
Paved driveways are significantly easier to maintain than gravel. While gravel is constantly shifting, creating divots, hills, and empty spaces, an asphalt driveway is largely trouble-free. All you need to do is clean the driveway twice a year and sealcoat it every two to five years. Patch small holes as they occur, and your paved driveway can easily last up to 35 years.
3. Ice and Snow Removal Becomes Easier
Canada is well known for its extreme weather conditions. When you are coping with ice and snow in the dead of winter, a paved driveway is the smart choice. Snow tends to settle in all the gaps and spaces between pieces of gravel, making it extremely tough to remove. If you do try to remove ice and snow, you will likely dig deep ruts and holes in the gravel that will have to be filled in. In many cases, the only option for dealing with winter weather on a gravel driveway is to throw sand or salt over it and hope for the best.
An asphalt driveway creates a smooth, clean surface on which the snow can settle. Removing the snow is as simple as clearing it away, and you are significantly less likely to damage your driveway in the process.
4. Cleanliness of a Paved Driveway
Driving across a gravel driveway kicks up clouds of rocks, dirt, dust, and debris. This is especially noticeable during the drier months, but can create mud during the rainy season. Keeping your car and the exterior of your home clean can be a lot more challenging when you have a gravel driveway. You might also track dirt and debris into your home, creating the need to vacuum and mop more frequently. By contrast, a paved driveway allows dust and dirt to settle. You are not likely to need a car wash every time you leave your house along a paved driveway, even on the driest days.
5. Resale Value Increases with Driveway Paving
Curb appeal refers to the way a home looks from the street, and it is a hot topic in real estate. Many potential home buyers feel that a gravel driveway looks messy and unfinished. They worry about the maintenance involved in keeping the gravel neat and clean. This can predispose a potential buyer to dislike your home before ever setting foot inside. While a gravel driveway may not prevent you from finding a buyer, why turn off a sizeable portion of the market? If you will sell your home soon, upgrading to a clean, new paved driveway can dramatically raise the curb appeal, making it easier to sell and even raising the price you can expect. Of course, every home sale is unique. Talk to your real estate agent about how much a paved driveway will increase your home’s value before making the investment solely for resale purposes.
Based in Abbotsford, Topwest Asphalt also serves Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, and Maple Ridge. Are you ready to start your next asphalt project with a team you can count on to do the job right, on time, and on budget? We invite you to call Topwest Asphalt today at 1-800-ASPHALT to discuss your project and schedule an estimate. We look forward to working with you!
