Driveways: Should They Be Repaired, Replaced or Resurfaced?

A smart hardscaping job may take your property from drab to stunningly attractive. It may offer a feeling of timeless beauty to your property while also allowing you to use your lawn throughout the year. The possibilities are unlimited, from a handmade stone retaining wall to a pool patio fit for a five-star resort.

However, to avoid costly blunders, every transition must be well planned. By following these six guidelines, you may carve your own vision in stone that will thrill you for decades to come.

1. Dream Big (Start with a Master Plan)

One of the most common mistakes individuals make when planning a hardscaping project is focusing on only a tiny portion of their property at a time. Perhaps they’ve decided on a stone fire pit. They have one in the center of their backyard, but they realize they need more after a few years. The fire pit prevents them from seeing a pool area… They haven’t planned ahead of time or made a master plan for the entire land.

If you designed a comprehensive plan. If this seems daunting, get an expert to build a design plan tailored to your specific home.

2. Create a Water Drainage Plan

So you have your plan. You’ve figured out the best way to connect the fire pit to the patio. Next step, what about the water run-off? A great way to ensure you don’t end up with a slippery, wet mess every time it rains is to figure out where all of the water will go.

If you’re extending the deck around the pool, make sure that the water will drain away from the house and into a dry area where it will evaporate more quickly.

3. Leave Room for Future Expansion

If you’re planning to build an additional pool or patio area, for example, leave the space for that addition. Leave any necessary space for lighting or additional seating, or if you’re doing a fire pit project, leave the space for the stacking stone fire pit that you want to add on.

4. Put in the Water Retention System

This is an essential part of any landscaping project. If you’re planning to create a retention pond or pool, make sure you plan ahead for the water drainage that will drain into the pond. Or, if you have an area you’re planning to use as a retention pond, make sure you have adequate drainage.

If you’re going to be using a fire pit, ensure that the retaining wall or fence will be as watertight as possible to prevent water from seeping out of the pit and onto your patio.

5. Use High-Quality Products

There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on a patio or fire pit structure that’s not going to last. So make sure you’re buying high-quality materials and hire the right contractors to install them properly.

The most popular materials for hardscaping include stone, concrete, metal, and wood. They’re all durable, but metal and wood need frequent maintenance to look good.

A stone, concrete, or natural stone patio will last for decades if you have it installed properly. And if you do it yourself, you might even save a little money on labor costs.

6. Don’t Forget the Accessories

If you’re planning to create a stone fire pit, you’ll want to buy a fire pit cover to protect your investment. You’ll also want to add lighting and perhaps a grill to your patio. You’ll want to think about what landscaping materials you’ll want to do around the area and how you’re going to decorate it.

Your finishing touches are what make all of the difference, so don’t forget to factor these in during your planning process.

Conclusion

With these six tips, you can transform that bland backyard into your very own paradise. Your finished project will be the envy of your neighborhood. And after handing out your business cards or taking photographs of your completed project, you’ll be ready for some fun in your very own backyard.

NAV Construction is one of the leading hardscape contractors in Northern Virginia, offering residential and commercial concrete construction. From constructing retaining walls to concrete repair and maintenance, our team can build just about anything you need to make your home or office look better than ever. Contact us today to get a free quote!

Materials to Consider for Your Driveway Replacement

If you need to have your driveway replaced, homeowners have a wide range of options when it comes to available materials. According to restoration experts, one such material that you can consider is gravel, which is one of the most popular materials in the country. This is because its initial costs are low, and it comes in different colors. Further, it is also quick to install around your property. However, gravel does come with its own drawbacks. For example, it requires a considerable amount of maintenance and isn’t the best choice if you live in areas that see constant snow.

Apart from gravel, another popular driveway material that homeowners opt for is concrete as it is a versatile, durable and affordable option. Plus, it requires little to no maintenance, which can save you both time and money. On the other hand, if you have the funds for it, and you want your home to have a big boost when it comes to curb appeal, you can also consider using pavers as your driveway material. Like concrete, pavers require little to no maintenance and can last for 30 to 40 years.

Alternatively, you may also use asphalt as the material for your home’s driveway. In fact, this material is a fairly popular driveway material in the Northern regions of the United States. This is because asphalt is a pliable material that can withstand the area’s freeze-thaw cycles better than concrete and pavers. Other than that, if you use black asphalt, it will retain heat, allowing snow to melt off much easier. Like your other options, however, it comes with a disadvantage as it needs to be maintained on a regular basis and will also have to be sealed every three to five years.

Other materials that you can consider for your driveway include shells for an eco-friendly option; pervious concrete if you want an environmentally friendly material that allows water to run-off through it; basalt paver tiles for durability and aesthetic appeal; and brick if you don’t mind the relatively high costs and want to use a long-lasting material while improving your home’s resale value at the same time.

Before deciding on a material, you should talk to a local expert to see what would work best for your area and your needs.

Looking for someone who can help you maintain or replace your driveway? Simply turn to NAV Construction. With years of experience in residential and commercial services, we are the leading experts to turn to for replacing driveways with stamped and decorative concrete as well as handling other driveway needs. We are dedicated to giving homeowners such as you nothing but quality work and the best service possible. Give us a call at (540) 812-2277, or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today! We look forward to working with you.