8 Materials Perfect for Driveways and Home Pavements
These materials, used in peripheries of homes, are sturdy, practical and make a great first impression
Isn’t the driveway leading to a house as important as the interior and exterior of that home? Yet, the driveway is often given a stepmotherly treatment. You can have paving that combines practicality with good looks, adding to the character of your house. After all, this is where your domain begins, and like your house, your driveway is a reflection of your tastes. However, you can design it as fancy as you like but if the floor materials are not suited to the wear and tear typical of this area, then you have a problem on your hands. These materials should have enhanced properties like extreme durability and the toughness to take the load of moving vehicles. Also, they should complement the surroundings and the exterior facade of the building.
Take a look at some surface materials that can stand the pressure – they offer both durability and good looks.
Take a look at some surface materials that can stand the pressure – they offer both durability and good looks.
Tip: Give a chic look to your driveway by combining polished and flamed granite. In this picture, see how a pattern in polished granite contrasts wonderfully with the rustic look of flamed granite. Keep in mind that polished granite is slippery, so use it sparingly.
Natural sandstone
It is hard to beat the natural look and hard-wearing qualities of natural sandstone. This is a popular choice in outdoor materials in India. It is highly resistant to extreme weather conditions and can bear the weight of heavy vehicles. The best part about sandstone is that it ages very well and looks even more elegant over a period of time.
Tip: Sandstone is porous and tends to get stained by grease or chemicals. At the time of installation, make sure that the stone surface is properly sealed.
It is hard to beat the natural look and hard-wearing qualities of natural sandstone. This is a popular choice in outdoor materials in India. It is highly resistant to extreme weather conditions and can bear the weight of heavy vehicles. The best part about sandstone is that it ages very well and looks even more elegant over a period of time.
Tip: Sandstone is porous and tends to get stained by grease or chemicals. At the time of installation, make sure that the stone surface is properly sealed.
Kota stone
Kota stone is a budget-friendly and neat-looking option. This stone is available in shades of brown, black and green. It has anti-slip properties, is hard and dense, has a uniform texture and is also good with vehicular load. Also, its non-porous properties make it suitable for humid areas, as it is less vulnerable to algae and fungus.
Unlike marble or granite, Kota stone is not available in big slabs but is machine-cut into smaller rectangular or square tiles.
Kota stone is a budget-friendly and neat-looking option. This stone is available in shades of brown, black and green. It has anti-slip properties, is hard and dense, has a uniform texture and is also good with vehicular load. Also, its non-porous properties make it suitable for humid areas, as it is less vulnerable to algae and fungus.
Unlike marble or granite, Kota stone is not available in big slabs but is machine-cut into smaller rectangular or square tiles.
Terrazzo
Consider a terrazzo floor for a long-lasting, sturdy driveway. This floor goes well with most kinds of building facades and its slabs are available as precast units or can be cast on site.
Terrazzo comprises a mixture of colouring agents and stone chips, such as marble, quartz and granite that are mixed with a cement binder and poured on to an existing concrete floor. After the material is allowed to set, it is polished till it takes on a shiny, smooth surface.
Tip: Terrazzo is a good material for experimenting with different floor patterns and colours. How? Flexible metal divider strips that also work as joints are placed on the concrete floor. Terrazzo mixtures in different colours are separately poured into these dividers to achieve the desired pattern.
Consider a terrazzo floor for a long-lasting, sturdy driveway. This floor goes well with most kinds of building facades and its slabs are available as precast units or can be cast on site.
Terrazzo comprises a mixture of colouring agents and stone chips, such as marble, quartz and granite that are mixed with a cement binder and poured on to an existing concrete floor. After the material is allowed to set, it is polished till it takes on a shiny, smooth surface.
Tip: Terrazzo is a good material for experimenting with different floor patterns and colours. How? Flexible metal divider strips that also work as joints are placed on the concrete floor. Terrazzo mixtures in different colours are separately poured into these dividers to achieve the desired pattern.
Concrete paver blocks
The primary ingredient for factory-made paver blocks is concrete. These tiles are available in a variety of colours and designs. Concrete pavers are low-maintenance and impart a very neat look to the driveway. They also have an excellent surface drainage quotient as rain water can easily seep through the gaps and joints, recharging ground water. They provide excellent traction for wheels and are easy for walking.
You do need to ensure their bed is prepared properly, or you will end up with an uneven surface over time. Also, weeds will pop up between the joins and need regular removal.
The primary ingredient for factory-made paver blocks is concrete. These tiles are available in a variety of colours and designs. Concrete pavers are low-maintenance and impart a very neat look to the driveway. They also have an excellent surface drainage quotient as rain water can easily seep through the gaps and joints, recharging ground water. They provide excellent traction for wheels and are easy for walking.
You do need to ensure their bed is prepared properly, or you will end up with an uneven surface over time. Also, weeds will pop up between the joins and need regular removal.
Interlocking pavers
Check out the modular concrete interlocking tiles that are laid on this driveway. These tiles lock into each other like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, which makes them easy to install without the use of mortar. They are easily removed and reinstalled when putting in underground pipes or cables.
Interlocking tiles are also available as rubber pavers that are made of recycled rubber and are highly slip-resistant. There are many options available when it comes to colours and shapes. They are cheaper than stone but cost more than concrete pavers. But they are kinder on the feet and environmentally friendly (as they are made from recycled materials and let water through to the ground).
Tip: To avoid tiles coming loose along the sides of the pavement, they should be finished with an edging or a border. The base should be prepared well, as for any pavers. Remove weeds as soon as they appear between the pavers.
Check out the modular concrete interlocking tiles that are laid on this driveway. These tiles lock into each other like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, which makes them easy to install without the use of mortar. They are easily removed and reinstalled when putting in underground pipes or cables.
Interlocking tiles are also available as rubber pavers that are made of recycled rubber and are highly slip-resistant. There are many options available when it comes to colours and shapes. They are cheaper than stone but cost more than concrete pavers. But they are kinder on the feet and environmentally friendly (as they are made from recycled materials and let water through to the ground).
Tip: To avoid tiles coming loose along the sides of the pavement, they should be finished with an edging or a border. The base should be prepared well, as for any pavers. Remove weeds as soon as they appear between the pavers.
Brick pavers
Bricks are another option for an eco-friendly driveway. Brick pavers are made from natural clay and are kiln-baked, so there is less damage to the environment as compared to stone, which involves large-scale quarrying and long-distance freightage. They are locally sourced, reducing their carbon footprint. Like other pavers, they allow rainwater to permeate into the ground. Bricks are a great way to bring warmth and a rich texture to the driveway. However, brick is a fragile material, prone to breakage – but it can be buttressed with concrete edging and cement mortar in the paving, for strength.
In this example, the brick pavers are laid in concentric circles to create an interesting pattern. This is in continuation from the brick cladding on the neighbouring buildings, adding to the earthy look of the entire property.
Tip: As regular maintenance, treat the bricks with penetrative sealants to protect them from stains and moisture absorption that could result in dampness or fungal growth.
Bricks are another option for an eco-friendly driveway. Brick pavers are made from natural clay and are kiln-baked, so there is less damage to the environment as compared to stone, which involves large-scale quarrying and long-distance freightage. They are locally sourced, reducing their carbon footprint. Like other pavers, they allow rainwater to permeate into the ground. Bricks are a great way to bring warmth and a rich texture to the driveway. However, brick is a fragile material, prone to breakage – but it can be buttressed with concrete edging and cement mortar in the paving, for strength.
In this example, the brick pavers are laid in concentric circles to create an interesting pattern. This is in continuation from the brick cladding on the neighbouring buildings, adding to the earthy look of the entire property.
Tip: As regular maintenance, treat the bricks with penetrative sealants to protect them from stains and moisture absorption that could result in dampness or fungal growth.
Tiles with grass infills
If you are fond of nature and its bounty, consider a part-green driveway or pavement instead of a conventional one. The combination of hard concrete and soft grass is a treat to the eyes and is guaranteed to bring a sense of relaxation. Such driveways effortlessly blend with the landscape and go well in farmhouses or weekend homes.
However, the grass will need regular maintenance. Make sure to water the grass every day and trim it regularly.
Tip: While laying the concrete or stone tiles on to the hard base, maintain a minimum gap of 0.5 inch between each tile. Once the tiles are laid, fill the gaps with high-quality compact soil level with the tiles. Sow the grass seeds within the soil and let the grass grow. Avoid using the driveway for at least four weeks till the grass is fully grown.
If you are fond of nature and its bounty, consider a part-green driveway or pavement instead of a conventional one. The combination of hard concrete and soft grass is a treat to the eyes and is guaranteed to bring a sense of relaxation. Such driveways effortlessly blend with the landscape and go well in farmhouses or weekend homes.
However, the grass will need regular maintenance. Make sure to water the grass every day and trim it regularly.
Tip: While laying the concrete or stone tiles on to the hard base, maintain a minimum gap of 0.5 inch between each tile. Once the tiles are laid, fill the gaps with high-quality compact soil level with the tiles. Sow the grass seeds within the soil and let the grass grow. Avoid using the driveway for at least four weeks till the grass is fully grown.
Seen here is a honeycomb grid of concrete pavers and grass. The shells of these diamond-shaped pavers are raised above the level of the growing grass. The outer edges meet neatly and take the load of heavy vehicles while the inner edges form raised borders for tiny grass plots, allowing it to grow freely. Such pavers are available in various shapes and designs.
Read more:
What Contemporary Facades Do
9 Reasons to Bring Louvres Into Your Home
Tell us: Do you have recommendations for other tough surface materials that can be used for a driveway? Share in the Comments section below.
Read more:
What Contemporary Facades Do
9 Reasons to Bring Louvres Into Your Home
Tell us: Do you have recommendations for other tough surface materials that can be used for a driveway? Share in the Comments section below.
Flamed granite is a smart choice for a driveway, if you want that five-star look and are willing to pay the price. The process of flaming involves the application of a high-intensity flame on the granite surface, which exposes the crystals of the stone and imparts a rough texture that is suited for vehicular movement. It also gives a faded look to the surface. Granite is a hard, dense igneous rock that is non-slippery and fairly easy to maintain (except for regular cleaning) It has a much longer life than bricks or concrete.
Tip: The process of flaming might open the pores of granite, so finish the surface with a penetrating sealer. Routine maintenance should include damp mop cleaning. This stone has a tendency to trap dust, which makes it look dirty. For deep cleaning the granite, spray with a cleaning mixture made in the following proportions: one-fourth cup isopropyl alcohol, three drops of a mild dish-washing detergent and about a litre of warm water. Wipe off the dissolved grime with a clean dry cloth. This should be done quarterly.