If you’re tired of the look of your cracked asphalt driveway and the burning feeling it gives your bare feet on hot summer days, maybe it’s time to level up your Syosset, NY, driveway with modern concrete pavers. Get inspired with popular pavers to choose for your new masonry driveway.
Why Pavers Are Superior
Pavers give you endless options when it comes to color, shape, size, layout, and style. They can complement any architectural style, add instant curb appeal, and give your home a more upscale and sophisticated appearance.
Conversely, asphalt or poured concrete driveways have several disadvantages, one of which is that rain or snowmelt must run off the driveway because it cannot soak back into the ground. This can overwhelm municipal stormwater systems.
Another disadvantage, especially prevalent in New York, is the freeze-thaw cycle, which can contribute to unsightly cracking and heaving, and that necessitates frequent repairs or even replacement.
In terms of durability—and assuming proper installation with a good base of aggregate for drainage and stability—quality pavers last for decades and mature beautifully. They won’t burn your feet under the sun, and some are made to avoid letting water pool on top so you won’t have to worry about slippery ice when you go out to your car in the winter.
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Paver Styles
When it comes to design choices, start with types of pavers that complement your home. The terms “brick” and “cobblestone” may conjure up images of ancient European roads and courtyards. You can certainly achieve a stately old-world look using brick and cobblestone, but you can also use larger-format concrete pavers that can achieve a more modern aesthetic. Each type of paver has its own unique appeal—and having so many options means that no matter your home’s design, you can find a paver that will fit right in to the design scheme. For instance, you could opt for brick pavers, which are available not only in “brick red” but in colors ranging from a soft tan to charcoal, which can give your driveway a traditional look with a distinctly modern twist.
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Paver Sizes and Shapes
A modern trend is to use large-format square or rectangular pavers along with smaller rectangular or square pavers to create a more random flagstone pattern. This is especially beautiful next to contemporary houses, and gives your driveway a more casual appearance as compared to the relatively limited brick or cobblestone laying patterns.
Many homeowners choose to use larger-format flagstone-style pavers as their field pavers and create a border using smaller brick or cobblestone pavers in contrasting colors. This approach of mixing sizes, shapes, and colors can be visually much more interesting than a monochromatic driveway.
Today, many homeowners are increasingly eco-conscious and want to minimize their homes’ impact on the environment. Permeable driveways are the “hot topic” of paver driveways—and with good reason! Permeable pavers allow rain and snowmelt to seep through the spaces between each paver and replenish the groundwater instead of running down the driveway into the lowest point in your yard (or the neighbor’s yard). These pavers are available in a variety of styles and colors, including brick and cobblestone.
