For most, concrete seems like the obvious choice for a driveway. It’s so obvious, though, that it could even be called monotonous. Besides, concrete isn’t as durable as one might think, since it cracks easily, and is hard to fix. Bricks, on the other hand, are an alternative with numerous benefits that make them a solid competitor, and they’ve been gaining popularity in recent years. Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which brick pavers are superior to concrete.
Aesthetic Benefits
For a material exposed to cars that can leak oil, grease, and other liquids, concrete stains far too easily, and permanently. With bricks, however, you get more stain resistance. And, if some bricks become stained, they can easily be pried up and replaced. A section of concrete is not so easy to swap out, which means if you want your driveway looking spic and span, bricks are the obvious choice.
Quick Fix
As we already mentioned, it’s much easier to fix a section of brick than concrete. Concrete driveways crack over time, and they can develop chips and even become pitted. It’s not easy to resolve these issues, as you’d need to pull up and re-pour the entire driveway, which is costly and labour-intensive. A brick-paved driveway, however, is immune to this issue. Not only are bricks more hardwearing but, should a repair be necessary, you can simply swap out a few bricks and your driveway is good as new.
Slip-sliding Away?
There are no two ways about it: concrete is slippery when it’s wet, and that makes it dangerous. Textured, porous, or abrasive surfaces are much safer, and bricks provide that. If you want an all-weather surface or at least one that’s safe in wet conditions, then you want brick pavers. After all, the UK is notoriously rainy.
One Planet
Nowadays, it’s important to consider our environmental impact, too. After all, we only have one planet. With concrete, it always has to be poured from scratch, and once it’s been used, it will sit in lumps somewhere for all time. Brick pavers are constantly repurposed or reclaimed, and reclaimed pavers actually make an excellent driveway choice. Besides, if you ever change your mind or want a new look, then the bricks can be repurposed for a new project.
Endurance
Paving your driveway with brick just gives you the assurance that it will last longer than concrete driveways. Concrete is vulnerable to cracking when the land it is laid on settles or shifts, which definitely happens in rainy climates. We’ve already gone over how hard it is to fix a cracked driveway. A paved driveway, made of interlocking bricks, is more flexible. Your driveway will be able to accommodate some shifting or settling of the earth without much issue while maintaining its structural integrity.
Overall, pavers last longer, repairs are easier and cheaper, and they even look nicer. They’re also safer in the rain, and maintenance is a breeze. Choosing bricks over concrete is just a good sense.
