Are Paver Driveways Worth It? Comparing Pavers to Concrete & Asphalt Driveways

Your home’s driveway is one of the most used and most visible features of your Northern Virginia property. For that reason, it makes sense to pay attention to the driveway design, including the materials that can provide the most value possible.

There are many types of driveway construction. But using the best driveway materials can help ensure you get the most out of your investment in your driveway.

Jump to Section

• Are pavers a good idea for a driveway?
• Do paver driveways increase home value?
• Are pavers cheaper than concrete for a driveway?
• What are the disadvantages of paver driveways?
• Should I consider a permeable paver driveway?
• Choosing Paver Driveways & Landscape Design in Alexandria, VA

In this article, we will specifically explore paver driveways and compare them to the better-known options of asphalt and concrete.

We spoke with Amanda McNiff, our Landscape Designer, about some of the key benefits of paver driveways that should be considered when weighing your options. Amanda will answer some of homeowners’ most common questions and help you have a better understanding of the choices.

Are pavers a good idea for a driveway?

Yes, pavers can make a great driveway material for a few key reasons, says Amanda.

Let’s talk about some of the paver driveway benefits that make this material a potentially top choice.

Paver driveways have a higher-end feel. According to Amanda, a paver driveway is naturally going to look higher-end and be more aesthetically appealing than a standard asphalt or concrete driveway. It’s a high-visibility item and you want to pay attention to how it looks.

Paver driveways can be easily repaired. If an asphalt or a concrete driveway becomes cracked, you’ll have to do some sort of cosmetic patching, but it’s always going to be somewhat visible, says Amanda. But since a paver driveway is made up of individual pavers, one that gets cracked can simply be lifted out and replaced.

Paver driveway designs are versatile. Unlike asphalt and concrete which are about as standard as you can get, you have a lot of flexibility in choosing colors and patterns for pavers.

Overall, there’s no question that pavers make a great choice for driveways. However, Amanda urges that this is contingent on ensuring the pavers were installed properly. If not, you could wind up with major problems.

“The other critical factor is choosing a driveway-rated paver,” she says. “Not all pavers are designed to be used for driveways. A driveway-rated paver is durable enough to be driven on and that’s obviously imperative.”

Do paver driveways increase home value?

Yes, as with any front yard renovation project, a paver driveway can boost the value of your home. There is no doubt that a paver driveway is going to give you a big boost to curb appeal. Any project that boosts curb appeal tends to increase home value.

Arguably, when you use the best driveway materials, you increase your value even more. In other words, a paver driveway is going to potentially increase the value of your home more than a standard driveway material like asphalt.

Are pavers cheaper than concrete for a driveway?

No, pavers are not cheaper than concrete, says Amanda.

Pavers will be the more expensive option for your driveway. When comparing asphalt or concrete vs paver driveways, pavers are the more expensive option. But in terms of aesthetic appeal and value, you really can’t beat a paver driveway.

What are the disadvantages of paver driveways?

According to Amanda, the biggest downside to using pavers for your driveway is the cost. It’s going to be the most expensive driveway material.

“If you really want pavers and it’s out of budget, we have had some homeowners do a concrete driveway and then surround it with a paver border,” Amanda suggests. “This is one way to get the best of both worlds. We often tie the paver border into an accompanying paver walkway, leading to the front door.”

Just like a paver patio, a paver driveway will also need occasional maintenance. But that’s true of any hardscape material. Even concrete and asphalt will require periodic sealing.

With a paver driveway, you’ll want to refresh it every few years to keep it looking and performing optimally.

Should I consider a permeable paver driveway?

As many local municipalities encourage homeowners to use permeable pavers, this should also be considered for the driveway.

Permeable pavers (sometimes also referred to as permeable interlocking concrete pavement, or PICP) are pavers that provide a stormwater management solution to your property. They work by filtering pollutants, reducing water runoff, and keeping water on site without the need for a retention pond.

With permeable pavers, any rain that falls on the driveway will seep back into the ground, which also reduces the burden on local storm drains.

The only disadvantage to a permeable paver driveway, according to Amanda, is that it requires a bit more maintenance.

“You just need to make sure that you are not letting the joints fill with debris as this can clog the reservoir underneath of the driveway,” she says. “This is not overly difficult to do. You want to pay attention that mulch beds aren’t washing over the driveway surface and leaving mulch behind in joints.”

Choosing Paver Driveways & Landscape Design in Alexandria, VA

A lot of landscape companies install paver projects (like walkways, driveways, and patios). However, you should ensure that you choose a professional who has completed large driveway projects before. Making mistakes (like using a paver not rated for driveway use) can be detrimental.

Amanda emphasizes that proper installation is key to maximizing the value of paver driveways.

Ultimately, it boils down to making a smart choice in the company you choose to work with.

By working with the right landscape professional in Northern Virginia, you’ll be able to take the burden off your shoulders and let them help. Any great paver project begins with expert installation.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we possess the experience and expertise to undertake large-scale projects, including driveways. We are ready to help you get exactly what you want and need for your modern landscape design.

Ultimately, making a smart choice will help give you peace of mind. By choosing the right landscaping contractor for the work, you’ll be able to feel confident that you have the optimal solution that will enhance your property and increase the value of your home.

If you’re looking for confidence that your landscape design will have everything it needs, request a landscape consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you get the royal treatment.