Your driveway is the first part of your home that welcomes you and your guests when you arrive. The material you choose for your driveway says a lot about your home. When it comes time to choosing a material for your new driveway, you’ve got some options. Two of the most popular choices are brick pavers and asphalt. So, when it comes to brick paving versus asphalt driveways, which is best? In our opinion, you should always pick brick. There are several benefits to choosing a brick paver driveway over an asphalt driveway. We’ll tell you why a brick driveway is the best option for our clients in the Chicago suburbs.
Brick Driveway
A brick paver driveway adds a classic, beautiful look to any home. Not only does a brick driveway add aesthetic appeal to your home, it is also a great investment into your home’s value. Plus, a brick driveway has additional benefits, like increasing the property value of your home and easing drainage issues. Classic brick paver driveways are becoming an increasingly popular choice with our suburban Chicago clients over asphalt driveways, which have numerous drawbacks. In addition to brick paved driveways, we also install brick paver patios at Arbeen Landscaping. It is aesthetically pleasing to match your patio to your new driveway!
Benefits of Brick Pavers for Driveway
There are several benefits to choosing a brick paver driveway over an asphalt driveway for your home, including:
Stand Up to Chicago’s Weather
If you are looking for a driveway that can withstand anything that Mother Nature decides to throw at Chicago, a brick paver driveway is the answer. A brick driveway can stand up to July’s hottest days, December’s coldest days, and all the days in between. Asphalt, on the other hand, is not ideal for areas like Chicago that have hot summers. When asphalt is exposed to the heat for a long period of time, it can warp and become uneven.
Low Maintenance
A brick driveway is much more low-maintenance than an asphalt driveway. Though a brick driveway might cost more up front than an asphalt driveway, the brick driveway will require much less maintenance over the years. A typical asphalt driveway requires resealing once every three to four years. Once the brick driveway is installed, however, there is minimal if any maintenance required to maintain its structural integrity for years to come.
Long-Lasting
A brick driveway is known for its longevity. The average lifespan of a brick paver driveway is approximately 25 years, assuming it is well-maintained. If you are looking for a durable and long-lasting driveway, brick is a great choice.
Easy to Repair
In the event that you do damage a brick paver in your driveway, luckily, it is easy to maintain. All you have to do is remove the damaged brick paver and replace it.
Allows Drainage
Brick pavers allow water to pass through your driveway and drain naturally, which can help avoid flooding and pooling when it rains heavily in Chicago’s wetter months. The same cannot be said of an asphalt driveway, which is more susceptible to flooding.
Safety
A brick driveway is the safest option because it is skid, slip, and stain-resistant. Brick pavers are naturally slip-resistant because of their texture. Asphalt, on the other hand, can break down and melt and soften, particularly in the heat, which leads to skidding and ultimately, damage to your driveway.
Additional Style Options
We can all agree that a brick driveway is a beautiful look. Brick pavers are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, so that you can choose the perfect one to complement your home. This allows you to build a brick driveway that matches your home, landscaping, personality, and design taste. You can create and design the driveway that you want and is unique to your own home.
Eco-Friendly Choice
Brick pavers are an eco-friendly option for your driveway. A brick paver is recyclable, which makes it an excellent environmental choice.
Alternatives to Asphalt Driveways
Many homeowners are looking for an alternative to asphalt driveways for several reasons. An asphalt driveway has several environmental issues. Asphalt is actually made from a mixture of petroleum products, and the process involves the release of several harmful hydrocarbons that cause air and water pollution. Asphalt driveways also have coal tar and asphalt cement, which is made from a highly flammable material. Rather than choosing an asphalt driveway, find a high-end landscaper like Arbeen Landscaping to install a brick driveway for you.
Cons of Asphalt Driveways
There are a few cons to asphalt driveways, which makes brick pavers a better choice.
Susceptible to Heat
Asphalt can soften and even get sticky in the hot summer months in Chicago. There is no walking in your bare feet down your driveway to get your mail in July if you have an asphalt driveway!
Limited Design Options
Unlike brick pavers, asphalt is only available in one style: smooth, flat, and black. There are no additional color options.
Unfinished Edges
Unless you add border treatment to your driveway, the edges of your asphalt driveway will have an unfinished look. This is not a very desirable style.
Regular Maintenance
Asphalt needs to be resealed every other year or so in order to prevent cracks and extend its lifespan.
Lack of Resale Value
Unlike a brick driveway, an asphalt driveway does not add value to your property and can even be a downside for potential buyers.
Brick Paving Versus Asphalt Driveways
When you are deciding between brick paving versus asphalt driveways, the choice is clear. You should always choose a brick paver driveway over an asphalt driveway. Once you decide a brick paver driveway is right for you, contact us at Arbeen Landscaping to do the hard work of designing and installing it for you!
Get a Beautiful Brick Driveway with Arbeen Landscaping
If you are ready to consider installing a new beautiful brick paver driveway at your suburban Chicago home, contact us at Arbeen Landscaping today! Whether you have a new home that needs a brand-new driveway, or it’s simply time for a redo, we can help you. We are experienced in installing brick driveways that our clients love for decades. Our specialty is residential landscaping services, including installing brick paver driveways.
