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There is a lot of talk about installing new driveways using permeable paving materials. Since the driveway is the first thing that people notice while entering your home, you need to be very careful about the choice of materials. To make an informed decision, you should compare the pros and cons of this driveway option for your home.
Advantages of Using Permeable Paving Materials for Driveways
The people of Australia widely prefer permeable paving materials as they offer several benefits. Always hire experts from professional driveway installing companies like StoneSet to get the best results.
Let’s take a look at some benefits of permeable paving materials in detail:
Does Not Heat Up Too Much:
During hot summer days, driveways made of permeable paving materials do not heat up as much as driveways made of conventional paving materials such as asphalt. These porous surfaces release the absorbed heat much faster. You can also ask your driveway installer to use light-coloured materials to help reflect most of the heat.
Eco-friendly Option:
Permeable pavements can be made using recycled materials, causing minimal impact on the environment. Manufacturers now use innovative techniques to use byproducts, such as slag cement from iron factories, to make concrete, which is one of the major components for these permeable pavements.
Does Not Get Slippery:
When the water sits on top of a smooth surface, it tends to get slippery, causing accidents. With driveways made of permeable materials, the water and precipitation seep through the pavement, allowing the surface to dry up faster. You will have a safe surface for driving and walking when you choose this type of material for the driveway.
Helps Stormwater Management:
Permeable driveways are quite efficient at managing stormwater by re-establishing a natural hydrologic balance and reducing the amount of runoff. Instead of letting the precipitation flow into the storm drains, it releases the water slowly into the ground. Also, the plants growing in between the pavers help trap and store the pollutants, reducing their concentration in the stormwater.
Since a lot of effort goes into paving the driveway, you should give it some serious thought. If you live in an area where it rains a lot or gets really hot during summer, permeable pavement may be the right choice for you. Moreover, it is a sustainable option.
Drawbacks of Using Permeable Materials in Driveways
Driveways made of permeable materials are not exactly perfect. Similar to driveways made of traditional materials, these permeable pavements also have a few major disadvantages. Before you invest in such driveways, take a look at some of these drawbacks:
More Expensive than Other Options:
It costs a lot more to install permeable pavement for your driveway as compared to installation charges for driveways made of traditional materials. So, if you are on a tight budget, you may need to look for alternatives.
Unique Maintenance Requirements:
Since permeable pavements are prone to clogging, you need to be extra careful for their maintenance. If sand or other fine particles are stuck between the pavers, you will have to use an industrial vacuum to remove them. If you do not take care of the clogging, the driveway will start to function like any regular driveway made from traditional materials.
Lack of Strength:
Permeable pavements are not as strong as conventional pavements. This is the reason why they are not used for building highways and airport runways. Putting consistent pressure on it can cause the driveway to collapse. Since the materials are porous in nature, it is difficult to create pavements using them. However, they are strong enough to handle the weight of your four-wheelers.
Since the installation and maintenance costs can be a bit expensive, you may need to reconsider your decision. Also, if you are planning to park heavy vehicles on the driveway, it is better to find stronger alternatives.
Conclusion
From a neutral point of view, the advantages of permeable driveways outweigh the drawbacks. If budget is not a problem and you do not mind the regular maintenance work, you should consider getting a permeable driveway.
