Can we talk about driveways?

We're bidding on a house with belgian blocks lining the driveway but the driveway itself is not paved.

I'm assuming you can do ashphalt and concrete, but don't know even a general range for how much it costs. And I don't know if there are any lower cost, viable options or what the pros and cons are of any of them.

We always had ashphalt and it seemed to last a long time. It just seems so.... blah.

Any thoughts? Pictures? Advice? Thanks ladies!!

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

We just did pavers along the side and asphalt and we are very happy with how it came out. All Phases Asphalt 631-588-1372

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

No prices since it was done before we bought the house but here is a pic of our driveway.

It's lined with belgian blocks and paved.

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

Blacktop and concrete cost almost just as much as pavers, so we went with pavers. It looks nicer and you can change a paver if you get oil on it.

Here is our driveway before and after...

Message edited 9/5/2007 4:40:26 PM.

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

the house we just bid on has a fairly long & steep driveway.... the owner recently had it re-paved with plain asphalt. It cost 6k.

Pavers are really cute, will never have to be sealed or reset, as long as a thick layer of sand is properly installed below them.... but they're also more slippery in the winter.... not a factor on a flat driveway, but if yours is steep, it may make the difference between getting up to your house or not in the winter..... Pavers can be more $$$ (depends upon style), but from my perspective, VERY much worth it, since they're really cute...

Message edited 8/15/2007 12:23:48 PM.

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

we did pavers. i think the price between pavers and concrete was only $4 a square foot.

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

Thanks!! $6k doesn't sound so bad, and it's not a super long driveway.

I would really like to do pavers, it's great to know the pricing is similar to blacktop. The walkway to the front porch has brick and pavers, and we were thinking of doing a paver patio in the back.

Pavers pavers pavers. I wonder if they'll be out of style in 10-20 years. I see them everywhere.

I like the idea of "hardscape" though.

Re: Can we talk about driveways?

Pavers will NEVER go out of style. Same as concrete, blacktop, etc. What other material would be used?

Certain SHAPED pavers...yes...like Octagon pavers are not so contemporary anymore. But if you go with a brick shaped or rectangular shaped paver, such as what we did above, it will be timeless.

Just like Belgian Blocks....used in houses in the 1920's, and still houses in the year 2007.

This was our first winter with them. Not anymore slippery than any other surface.

Message edited 8/15/2007 5:16:13 PM.

Re: Can we talk about driveways?