When closing on a home, many people don’t really think of their driveway. However, even though the driveway is an often overlooked part of your home’s exterior, it still plays an important role. 
A driveway provides your vehicle with access to your home, and a poor quality driveway could result in damage to your vehicle or make accessing your home a nightmare. In addition, a driveway that has deteriorated over the years could be a horrible eyesore, lowering your home’s curb appeal. So if you are looking to put in a new driveway for Whistler real estate, how can you know what the best long term option is? Let’s compare some of your options.
Asphalt
One of the most common options for your driveway is asphalt. Asphalt is an especially good long-term option if you live in a colder climate. Asphalt handles winter weather well, being able to deal with the constant cycle of freezing and thawing. In addition, asphalt is black, allowing it to retain more heat and melt ice faster. Although it does require some maintenance, asphalt can be a high-quality option for those looking for a driveway suited for the winter. Asphalt may not be the flashiest or most exciting driveway material, but it certainly can get the job done.
Gravel
A cheap option that you can go with for your driveway is gravel. However, just because you can secure a great deal on a gravel driveway doesn’t necessarily mean you should jump at the offer. That being said, besides being cheap, gravel driveways can also be quite aesthetically pleasing. Despite all this, there are some problems with gravel driveways. They require a lot of maintenance, and loose stones may even make their way onto your lawn. In addition, gravel driveways don’t handle ice and snow that well, meaning you might want to steer clear of them in colder climates. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option that will hold up reasonably well, then gravel can be a solid option.
Concrete
A classic option for your driveway is concrete. Concrete is right in the middle cost-wise, not being overly expensive or too cheap. Concrete doesn’t really stand out from a design perspective either, so you may be wondering why this option is so popular. However, when it comes to durability, concrete is unmatched. Concrete driveways have long lifespans and require very little maintenance compared to other options on this list. As a result, if you want a strong and durable driveway to last you for the long-term, then a concrete driveway could be the perfect option.
Brick
Although brick driveways may look fantastic and add a lot of curb appeal, they are quite expensive to pull off. However, the added cost doesn’t really add that much to the lifespan, as brick driveways don’t last too much longer than other driveway materials. On top of all that, brick driveways still require a decent amount of maintenance, and if they’re not properly maintained, then they’ll start to look worse than other options. If you want your driveway to be the envy of the neighborhood, then install a brick driveway. However, don’t expect it to be cheap or to last any longer than the other materials on this list.
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