Pros and Cons of a Paver Driveway

Concrete slab driveways and asphalt driveways are pretty ubiquitous in Maryland. But did you know paver driveways are becoming more popular, especially for higher-end homes? It makes sense. You invest all this money into a beautiful home and beautiful landscaping and walkways, but your driveway is this rather plain (or ugly) strip of black or grey.

If you’re building a new home, installing a paver driveway is a fantastic way to enhance curb appeal from the start. If you have an existing concrete driveway or asphalt driveway that has seen better days, a paver driveway is a great upgrade.

But as with any home improvement project, it pays to look at the pros and cons before parting with your money. Let’s take a look.

Paver Driveway Pros

There are a number of positives to installing a paver driveway, including:

It’s Beautiful

We already mentioned enhanced curb appeal. This is important if you ever plan to sell your home. But let’s face it. You’re the one who will enjoy the beauty the most.

No Curing Time

You can drive on and park on a paver driveway right away. No curing time like you have with concrete or drying and set time as you do with asphalt.

Design Options Galore

You have all sorts of color, texture, and shape options to choose from. Driveway pavers look like natural stone, cobblestone, or brick. You can use different pavers to create borders or a design in your driveway. Some of our favorite driveway pavers come from E.P. Henry and Techo-Bloc.

Easy to Repair/Replace Pavers

If frost heave or tree roots uplift one or more pavers, it’s easy to remove the affected pavers, rectify the problem, and put the pavers back. Those same tree roots or frost heave cause unsightly cracks in asphalt or a concrete slab driveway.

Paver Driveway Cons

There is really only one noteworthy drawback to getting a paver driveway. 

Higher Cost

Because of the extra labor involved, and the higher cost of materials, a paver driveway is going to cost more than a concrete slab or asphalt driveway. You have to decide if the added beauty is worth the added cost.

A Word About Permeable Driveway Pavers

Here in the Chesapeake Bay region, stormwater runoff is a hot topic. Putting in a new driveway, or enlarging an existing driveway, is seen as putting in an impervious surface, and may be subject to local regulations. If you’re concerned about the environment, you may want to consider permeable driveway pavers.

This paver driveway system installation is more involved than a standard driveway, so will cost more. But you still have many beautiful options to choose from. 

Make It Exceptional. Make It Woodfield.

If you want to replace an asphalt or concrete driveway, a paver driveway is a fantastic upgrade. We design and install paver driveways that really enhance your home’s curb appeal. Installing a new driveway can be part of a larger hardscaping project such as a new patio, walkways and driveway, or it can be a stand-alone project.

To set up a consultation, fill out the contact form or call us at 443-299-6500. We serve homeowners in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, and Howard County in Maryland.