| Pavement
Types |
Appearance |
Initial Cost
& Installation |
Maintenance |
Winter
Durability |
Snow
Removal |
Concrete Pavers |
A
wide range of surface finishes, smooth to textured. Many available colors, shapes,
and laying patterns can compliment the architectural style of your home. |
Moderate--Tightly
fitted, uniform units are placed over a sand bed and a compacted aggregate base.
Immediately ready for use. Can be installed by homeowner. |
Low--Stained
or broken pavers can be easily replaced without patches. Dark colored pavers can
help hide stains. |
High--Small,
high density units resist cracking as well as damage from freeze-thaw and salts.
Pavers are stronger than ordinary or stamped concrete. |
Smooth
surface allows for easy snow removal. Pavers can be colored dark to help melt snow
faster. |
Cobble Stone |
Gives elegant,
permanent, yet informal "Old World" feel. |
Very High--Each
unit must be fitted together by hand. |
Low--High quality
stone lasts for decades. Wide joints may encourage weeds and ants. Rough
surface makes walking and driving difficult. |
High--High
density stone resist cracking and salts. |
Rough surface
makes plowing difficult. |
| Pavement
Types |
Appearance |
Initial Cost
& Installation |
Maintenance |
Winter
Durability |
Snow
Removal |
Stamped Concrete |
Surface is
usually colored. Patterns look good from a distance, but close up surface looks
artificial. |
High--Difficult
for homeowner to install. Requires special equipment to stamp stone or paver
patterns into surface. |
Moderate--Cracking
will likely develop. Difficult to match original color or pattern in repaired areas.
Repairs leave unattractive patch. |
Low--Subject to
deterioration from de-icing salts. Surface sealer may provide some protection from
salt attack. |
Uneven surface of
some patterns and textures can make plowing difficult. |
Clay Pavers |
Mostly shades of
red and red-brown. Limited number of shapes available. |
High--Concrete
base often required which increases cost. Inconsistent dimensions make units slow to
install and difficult to maintain straight pattern lines. |
Low--Irregularities
in surface make them prone to damage, especially edge chipping. |
Moderate--Salts
can attack and deteriorate some clay pavers. |
Rough surface can
make snow removal difficult. |
| Pavement
Types |
Appearance |
Initial Cost
& Installation |
Maintenance |
Winter
Durability |
Snow
Removal |
Ordinary Concrete |
Grey or light
brown. Can be colored throughout or on surface only. |
Moderate--Difficult
for homeowner to install. Must wait 5 to 7 days for hardening before use.
Surface quality depends on quality of installer. |
Moderate--Cracking
will likely develop. Repairs and replaced sections leave unsightly patches.
Oil stains difficult to remove. |
Low--Cracks from
freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from salts. |
Smooth surface
allows for easy removal. Light colored surface may not melt snow rapidly. |
Asphalt |
Limited color
options. Difficult to get neat looking edges. Cracks will likely develop.
Stamped and colored asphalt looks fake. |
Low--Goes in
quickly over compacted aggregate base. Can't be installed by homeowner. |
High--Wear and
weather will break down surface. Black seal coat required every 2-3 years.
Ruts or pothole repairs make ugly patches. |
Low--Cracks from
freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from salts. |
Smooth surface
allows for easy removal. Dark surface accelerates snow melting. |
| Pavement
Types |
Appearance |
Initial Cost
& Installation |
Maintenance |
Winter
Durability |
Snow
Removal |
Crushed Stone or Gravel |
Typically a
rustic look. Appearance varies with color and shape of stones. |
Low--Dumped and
spread over soil (no base required). |
High--Scattered
stone must be replaced and releveled regularly. Ruts from tires will likely develop. |
High--Stones
resist freeze-thaw cycles and salts. |
Stones will
scatter when plowing snow. |
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