New build: Asphalt v. paver driveway

[Anonymous]

We're building a new house. Need to decide whether to put down an asphalt or paver driveway. Big price difference. (Asphalt--about 4k. Pavers--about 16k--perhaps 18k.) House directly across the street has asphalt, and it looks fine. House next door has pavers, and it looks better. But 12-14k better? We've been cheap about nothing in the house... until this. And I feel like being cheap with an asphalt driveway is totally justified.

Views, DCUM?

[Anonymous]

I think paver driveways make a house look much nicer. It sets the stage for everything that comes after. I have also seen driveways that are poured then stamped with a cutter type mold. I don't know if that is less expensive than pavers.

If you become committed to the asphalt, then at least line with either the brick of your home or pavers. Set it off.

[Anonymous]

Paver driveways = weeds growing through them. Our neighbors who have a paver driveway have talked us out of it.

[Anonymous]

I like the grass look, with pavers just for the tires. Visually, it extends the front garden.

[Anonymous]

How expensive is the house?

This matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think paver driveways make a house look much nicer. It sets the stage for everything that comes after. I have also seen driveways that are poured then stamped with a cutter type mold. I don't know if that is less expensive than pavers.

If you become committed to the asphalt, then at least line with either the brick of your home or pavers. Set it off.

Much cheaper, but like asphalt, you contribute to run-off and possible flooding concerns in your neighborhood, whereas with pavers, a lot of the rain seeps between them. It's the entire point of pavers - better for the environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
How expensive is the house?

This matters.

More than 2.5m, probably (a bit) less than 3m. (We've spent a lot.) I have slight fatigue in spending, and this seems like the first thing reasonably to cheap out on.

[Anonymous]

Are you going to hire someone to take care of the lawn who could take care of the weeds in your pavers or do you not mind weeding? Pavers grow weeds, and a weedy driveway looks worse than asphalt. But a nicely maintained paver driveway would look best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
How expensive is the house?

This matters.

More than 2.5m, probably (a bit) less than 3m. (We've spent a lot.) I have slight fatigue in spending, and this seems like the first thing reasonably to cheap out on.

Is this a joke? You spent $3MM on a house and you are cheaping out in the driveway? Makes zero sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the grass look, with pavers just for the tires. Visually, it extends the front garden.

I agree. Also if you get permeable pavers (which could be a grass paver or could look like a traditional paver) you can get $1200-$2500 back from MD I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
How expensive is the house?

This matters.

More than 2.5m, probably (a bit) less than 3m. (We've spent a lot.) I have slight fatigue in spending, and this seems like the first thing reasonably to cheap out on.

Unless you truly can't afford to spend anymore, please do invest in long-term set-ups, like driveways.

However, prices are through the roof right now for general construction. It's due to a scarcity of certain materials, and also to more people staying home and wanting to renovate. I'm not sure if driveway paving is affected by this, but it might be worth waiting until next year for all your renovation needs that can wait, to see if maybe the new quotes decrease a little from what you're getting now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the grass look, with pavers just for the tires. Visually, it extends the front garden.

This: not a real driveway, just two lines of pavers in the grass. Easy to mow over.

[Anonymous]

Asphalt as you can maintain it easier and it’s more flexible.

[Anonymous]

We have only ever had concrete. I don't think I'd like the smell of an asphalt driveway and it wouldn't be my first option. We have pavers at our current home and do love the look. You can always do asphalt or concrete broken up by rows of pavers or bricks- that is better than all asphalt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have only ever had concrete. I don't think I'd like the smell of an asphalt driveway and it wouldn't be my first option. We have pavers at our current home and do love the look. You can always do asphalt or concrete broken up by rows of pavers or bricks- that is better than all asphalt.

You don’t smell it.