Driveway Ideas For Your Home

Contents:

Driveway Materials:

• Pebble & Gravel Driveways
• Block Paving
  
• Concrete Driveways
• Asphalt & Tarmac Driveways
• Resin Driveways
• Stone Paved Driveways
• Brick Driveways
• Cobblestone Driveways
• Recycled Glass Driveways
• Tar & Chip Driveways
• Interlocking Tiles
• Grass Driveways

Are you looking for inspiration for your new driveway?

Then, let us do the hard work for you. 

Sit back, relax and browse through our driveway ideas guide:

Why upgrade?

First impressions

Your driveway is the first thing that people see when they arrive at your home. It sets the tone and forms valuable first impressions. You are no longer restricted to simple tarmac driveway options, although these are still a reliable choice.

Why not step outside of your comfort zone with an intricate block paving pattern? Or create a traditional driveway design with cobblestone?

Of course, you must consider the styling of the exterior of your home to make sure your driveway doesn’t clash with any particular colours or textures.

Curb appeal

Curb appeal can greatly impact the overall value of your home. It is a rating used to rank the level of attractiveness of your property when viewing it from the street. If your driveway is wearing away with cracks and weeds growing through, this will impact your curb appeal. 

Do your neighbours have well-kept, modern driveways? If so, yours needs to meet their standards or surpass them. Your driveway could mean the difference between a potential buyer taking a look inside or simply turning away.  

Even if you feel you have found your forever home, circumstances change. A new driveway can enhance your curb appeal, enticing buyers in as well as increasing the overall price of your property. 

Safety

The last thing you want is to trip and fall on cracked concrete. So, if your driveway is a little worse for wear, it might be time for you to consider resurfacing it. You must ensure your driveway is fit for purpose, can withstand the weight of your vehicles and adverse weather conditions. 

Start by considering your material:

Pebble & Gravel Driveways

• Involve pouring gravel or pebbles into a grid
• Great for security – you can hear people approach
• Environmentally friendly – stores water, reducing pressure on local drainage systems
• Available in a range of colours and styles
• Simple DIY installation
• Durable material choice
• Difficult to maintain – you must sweep pebbles back into place, heavy snowfall can displace chunks of material
• May lose gravel or pebbles due to extreme weather

Block Paving

• Easy to maintain
• Super durable
• Blocks can be moulded from concrete, clay, and natural stones, creating a variety of colours and patterns
• Individual blocks can be repairs without ruining the entire driveway
• Must be installed by professionals
• Time-consuming installation as each block must be created and placed individually
• Cannot be placed over harder material e.g. tarmac
• Expensive to install

Concrete Driveways

• Extremely durable – can last up to 20 years or more
• Plenty of colour options
• Colour may fade over time
• Can be prone to cracks

Asphalt & Tarmac Driveways

• Clean appearance
• Affordable 
• Durable – can last for years
• Cracks or small dents must be sealed and repaired 
• Can withstand large amounts of weight
• Anti-slip material – will aid your car in icy conditions and improves safety for use      by the elderly and young children
• Permeable tarmac options available
• Basic designs and colours
• May expand or contract in hot and cold weather

Resin Driveways

• Resin Driveways offer a pleasing smooth surface across the entire driveway
• Choose between resin-bound and resin-bonded styles
• Resin-bound involves mixing aggregates into the resin and using a hand trowel to  lay it down flat. 
• Resin-bonded driveways is a little different in that the resin is applied to an existing surface, and the aggregates are scattered on top
• Resin-bonded driveways do not allow water to pass through
• Resistant to most weather conditions – won’t buckle under UV rays providing high quality resin and materials are used
• Can be installed on top of most existing driveways – not including block paving as this may shift when resin is poured
• Resin surfaces are porous meaning they are SuD compliant
• No build up of surface water
• Low maintenance – weeds cannot grow through
• Environmentally friendly – do not impede the growth of trees

Ace Resin will excavate and reconstruct the sub-base of your driveway as required to make it suitable for a resin driveway to be installed or simply purchase a DIY Resin Kit

Stone Paved Driveways

• Strong and durable
• Natural design
• Resistant to frost and frigid temperatures
• You must research which type of stone you wish to install – some may crack under the weight of your vehicle
• Must be resealed every few years to protect against staining
• Drainage solution required

Brick Driveways

• Long-lasting
• Must be installed professionally
• Certain home styles and colours may clash with the brick driveway, research your desired colours first.
• Expensive to install

Cobblestone Driveways

• A great alternative to brick driveways
• More versatile than brick, with greater colour and styling options to suit any house decor.
• Lasts for decades with minimal repairs needed
• Easy to maintain
• Weather-resistant, doesn’t stain
• Can withstand hot summers
• Must clean throughout the year
• Weeds should be removed regularly
• Can take a long time to install
• If you have experience, it is possible to install yourself 
• Mix and match with another driveway material such as concrete

Recycled Glass Driveways

• Recycled glass is sealed with resin
• This material is unique, durable, and safe 
• Great environmentally friendly option
• You will be saving glass from sitting in the landfills and repurposing it into  something useful
• Low maintenance

Tar and Chip Driveways

• Tar and chip driveways use gravel as a base layer
• Gravel is laid down and hot tar is poured on top to seal it in
• To ensure that the gravel and tar are firmly pressed, the installer will use stones as   a top layer
• Stones available in a range of colours
• Comfortable under foot
• Low maintenance
• Not the most durable
• Potential risk of damage when removing snow

Interlocking Tiles

• Made up of concrete and cement materials
• Easy to install, as they lock into place
• Create an eye-catching driveway with unique patterns and formations
• Regular maintenance required – weeds grow between the tiles, which may pry them apart
• Invest in a qualified, reliable installer

Grass Driveways

• An unusual choice – why create a grass driveway instead of simply parking in your front garden?
• Grass collects dew – when this dew evaporates, over time it can rust your car
• Rainy days can cause muddy conditions – can cause wheel spins
• Grass driveways have a plastic or concrete underlay – prevents the majority of these issues
• The grass grows through designated holes in the material
• Achieve the natural aesthetic of grass with the functionality of a normal driveway
• You must maintain the grass as you would your garden lawn

Driveway Shapes 

Once you decide on a material, you need to consider the shape of your driveway. You may choose between:

• Straight

• Curved

• Circular

• Semi-circular

• L-shaped 

Usually, your property will determine the shape and design of your driveway. However, in larger areas, your driveway has the potential to become a separate structure entirely. You may wish to include flowerbeds as a focal point.

Consider these shapes for your driveway aesthetic:

Straight

Straight driveways are the most common type. Due to your property layout, this may be the only shape available to you. They consist of a simple design and are easy to install.

Curved

If you’re looking for a fun alternative to a straight driveway, you can opt for a curved driveway. Again depending on your property, having a slight curve might be your only choice. 

A curved driveway can prove tricky to install, so you may want to consider hiring a professional. However, if you’re doing it yourself, there are always several online tutorials you can follow for guidance and inspiration.

Circular 

Circular driveways ensure a constant flow of traffic through your home. You won’t have to worry about cars blocking each other on the drive.

However, this elegant design only works for larger homes. They take up a lot of room and require careful calculations to install. You must hire a professional for the job.

Semi-Circular 

If you love the idea of a fashionable, circular drive but don’t have the space, why not choose a semi-circular driveway instead?

This aesthetically pleasing driveway is also the safest design for those living on a busy road.

You’ll always have a clear view of the road and won’t have to back out onto a bustling road. Keep in mind that while you don’t have to have a huge property to accommodate a semi-circular driveway, you’ll still need a fair amount of room. 

L-Shaped 

An L-shaped design will send drivers straight up from the bottom of your driveway into your garage. Since there is a clear guideline, it stops people from parking where they shouldn’t. 

The only issue with L-shaped driveways is that your property has to suit the shape. You will need a long, narrow path with a garage that veers to the left or right.

Feeling Inspired?

If you enjoyed our article, but need a little more information on the type of driveway available, please get in touch via the form below. We will be happy to help.

As you can see, there are tons of driveway materials and shapes that you’ll have to consider for your new driveway. However, resin driveways are the most versatile and economically friendly choice. 

Ace Resin is a resin driveway company based in Essex, UK. We have been serving both residential and commercial premises across the South East of England for years installing stunning resin-bound driveway surfaces. 

Contact us for a quote below.

Contents:

Driveway Shapes:

• Straight
• Curved
• Circular
• Semi-Circular
• L-shaped