Pavers are bricks created to be laid on the ground for a flat and accessible surface. These bricks are created in different sizes, shapes and colours for various exterior and interior designs.
Because of the more appealing aesthetic over concrete, pavers are a welcoming material for driveways. Not all pavers are suitable for driveways due to the weight-bearing and weathering requirements of driveways. There are a few key aspects to consider when finding the right brick pavers for driveways.
How often is the driveway used?
The frequency that the driveway is used is critical to the material chosen to cover the soil. A higher volume of traffic erodes the surface of the driveway quicker, therefore the material chosen for high traffic driveways need to be more robust.
Paver bricks are not recommended for commercial properties with very high traffic, such as supermarkets and restaurants. While pavers are previously only recommended for domestic driveways that only experience a few times of rollover every day, the improved strength of modern bricks meant commercial properties with medium traffic, for example agencies with a few client visits during the day, can choose brick pavers for the improve aesthetic over concrete and tarmac as well.
Does the driveway need to be permeable?
For areas that experienced flooding or heavy rainfall, homeowners may want the driveway to be permeable. A permeable driveway allows water to drain through the surface of the driveway into the earth, reducing water retention on the driveway. If your property is lower than the entry of the driveway, an impermeable driveway may become a highway for water to rush into the property.
Permeable driveway also reduces the risk of localised flooding by allowing rainwater entering the soil.
Is the driveway sloped?
Sloped driveways add additional consideration points to choosing pavers. The angle of a driveway meant structural integrity needs to be considered as the bottom pavers have to withstand the weight of pavers above. If the driveway is steep, the strength of paver bricks shall be considered.
For steep driveways, you should also consider slip resistance. In the event of heavy rain or debris, some vehicles might find it hard to drive up the driveway. Choosing pavers with slip resistance help you to get home safely and not pose any risk to other pedestrians.
Choosing environmental friendly pavers
For areas where sustainable water management is required, environmental friendly pavers, like Ecopave, allow water to permeate back to the soil. Therefore, rainwater goes into the ground instead of entering waterways.
Also, some pavers are made by sustainable manufacturing processes to reduce the carbon footprint when producing the pavers.
Matching the driveway to the exterior of the property
The most exciting feature in using pavers for driveway is the ability to match the aesthetics of the driveway to the exterior of the property. Paver bricks offer a range of colours that can be used for driveways.
You can also create unique patterns and designs with pavers. The herringbone pattern is one of the most common patterns used by driveways. But you can also use pavers with contrasting colours to create road lines.
Need help to find the right paver
BuildMart Australia has a team of experts in choosing bricks for different construction projects. Feel free to contact our team for more details about each paver brick and decide if the paver suits your use case. If you need help with choosing the right bricks in our range, call us on 03 9560 7601 or email us by info@buildmart.com.au to find one of our experienced and friendly staff members.
