In many ways, your driveway is likely a key feature of your landscape that often gets overlooked, even though the surface makes up a large percentage of your overall landscape. As you consider considerable updates to your driveway, keep in mind whether you want your driveway to shine brighter in your landscape. There are many ways to make it more beautiful, long-lasting, and functional. Here are some masonry options for a new driveway in Deer Park and Manhasset, NY.
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The Old-World Charm of Cobblestones
When you want your driveway to have an extremely long-lasting surface that’s equally as charming, consider using cobblestones to make it happen. Cobblestones have made up the surfaces of countless cities and towns throughout Europe. While cobblestones aren’t suited for the high volume of heavy traffic in our modern cities, they can withstand the demands of your driveway.
The Timeless Satisfaction of Brick
No matter where you’ve been, bricks are used to make up long-lasting structures and surfaces. The technology has changed very little over the years, but the look of brick continues to be desirable in many landscape designs.
Bricks are elegant in the many different patterns in which they can be arranged. One of the most common brick patterns is the running bond, which lends itself to curved driveways. The strongest pattern and most elegant pattern is the herringbone, where bricks are laid to form “arrows” in the direction of travel. This pattern is wonderful for wide driveways or driveways with a grand entry court.
Traditional Style, Modern Flair
Traditional bricks are made of clay, which makes them somewhat limited in color choices. Today, you can also choose concrete bricks, which come in many different earth tones outside of that traditional “brick red” we all know well. You can also find bricks in many different shapes other than the traditional rectangle, that can apply themselves to different patterns and schemes. A modern twist on brick can include choosing different sizes (such as oversized, or more slender) along with color choices outside of the traditional clay colors. The contrast and juxtaposition of a timeless material with modern architecture can make for an unforgettable driveway.
Modern Technology
As the paver industry has evolved, concrete pavers have taken center stage in driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks. They are manufactured for a variety of applications and aesthetics. There are endless design options, and the pavers are built to follow either a natural stone look or a completely sleek and modern aesthetic. Whether your home’s design is more traditional or more contemporary, there are plenty of driveway paver designs to choose from, for a one-of-a-kind statement driveway.
Be aware: Not all pavers are designed for driveway applications, but there are enough styles to meet your needs. Some driveways pavers are constructed to lock together like gears, which helps prevent potential movement. Driveway pavers are specially designed to withstand much more weight than those used solely for pedestrian applications.
You may want to ask your masonry contractor about permeable pavers, which have larger joint spaces and are installed on a special substrate that allows surface water to seep into the ground. The result is a drier, safer driveway.
Related: 5 MASONRY IDEAS TO IMPROVE THE LOOK OF A FRONT ENTRANCE IN SOUTHAMPTON AND PORT JEFFERSON, NY AREAS
