Permeable Pavers vs. Blacktop Driveway Installation in Westchester NY. Which is the better option?
Thinking about installing a new driveway for your residential property?
Here are two options which you can consider- permeable driveways and blacktop.
Read on to find out which of these choices is best for your home.
PERMEABLE DRIVEWAYS
In the recent years, hurricanes and floods have put a lot of pressure on infrastructure, especially on driveways, roads and pavements. When it rains, water runs off the concrete driveway towards a drain. It is then transported to streams and rivers through pipes. During a storm, these channels overflow with water and cause a lot of damage. Also, the fresh rainwater that falls on the ground picks up dirt and debris from the sidewalks and driveways along with garbage. This results in water pollution. A practical solution to avoid this scenario is a permeable driveway.
Permeable driveways in Westchester, NY allow water to percolate to the deeper layers of the soil. They act as effective filters which prevent the infiltration of pollutants. Permeable driveways are not synonymous with porous driveways though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Porous driveways make use of materials which allow water to pass through them directly whereas permeable driveways are paved in such a way that there are gaps in the paving which absorb the excessive water and allow it to reach the water table. Permeable driveways can make use of porous as well as non-porous material depending on the pavement design.
It can be difficult to distinguish between porous and non-porous materials. Gravel, sand and resin are the best options for creating a permeable driveway. On the other hand, materials like concrete and tarmac are considered non-permeable. They can only be used to create permeable driveways by laying down an absorbent substrate and by keeping gaps between individual blocks. The gaps need to be filled with sand and gravel to ensure that water flows to the layer of soil below.
Multiple Solutions for Permeable Driveways
You can select from a wide range of options for your permeable driveway in Westchester, NY. However, while choosing the material, keep in mind the overall appearance that you want to achieve and the process of installation.
# Gravel
This is one of the most cost effective materials available at present. It can act as a permeable material for your driveway if it is combined with a reinforcing cellular structure. The drainage level is excellent if the foundation at the centre is at a higher level and there is a slope on both the sides. The slope allows the water to disperse over the ground and get absorbed quickly. Combining gravel with the cellular structure provides an added advantage. It prevents the displacement of gravel by fixing it and thus, gives a compact and stable texture. Gravel driveways are easy to maintain and can last upto 100 years with proper care. The danger of cracking or sinking is eliminated.
# Dry-laying
No other material is as permeable as sand. The method of dry-laying makes use of stone and sand. The sub-base is created by mixing sand with gravel. On top of that, a paved or stone surface is installed. The gaps allow the water to pass easily and help in improving the capacity of drainage. The open cell concrete blocks do not require maintenance and are available in various shapes, patterns, styles and colors. You can create a unique driveway which complements your landscape and the house. One important benefit of such interlocking pavers is that if some of them get damaged, you can remove them and put in new ones. The curing period is very short and they are easy to install.
# Resin
This is the most durable of all materials on this list. It controls water runoff and flooding and gives your driveway a complete makeover. Resin bound gravel driveways require the placement of a mixture of natural aggregates into a resin compound. There are diverse designs available for a resin driveway. A major benefit of this driveway is that the color remains the same for many years. It is environment-friendly and prevents pooling of water. Resin is able to resist the growth of weeds. The chances of the material getting cracked because of temperature changes is nil because it is flexible.
# Grass pavers
In this paving system, the pavers can be made of concrete, plastic or gravel. There are voids in the pavers. After the pavers are installed, grass is planted in the voids. The grass allows the excessive water to flow into the ground thereby preventing floods. There are multiple designs which can be used for creating a grass paver driveway in Westchester, NY. Some of these are hopsack paving, spaced paving and cellular paving. It looks very attractive. An advantage of this paving system is that it can be installed in areas which do not support the hard permanence of a regular driveway.
# Plastic Grids
These grid systems make use of recycled plastic grids. The walking or driving surface is created with the help of these blocks. It allows water to permeate into the lower layers easily. Plastic grids are long lasting and do not require much maintenance. The voids can be filled with gravel, sand or soil. This is a 100% porous system and comes in many shapes and sizes. It is a low-cost solution for installing driveways which is why it is gaining popularity gradually.
Benefits of Installing Permeable Driveways in Westchester, NY
1) Controlling runoff
Permeable driveways are very effective in managing runoff from the paved surface. In the case of concrete driveways, water does not get absorbed into the ground which is why it runs off and causes erosion and siltation in the nearby water bodies. Floods damage the infrastructure and foundation of the property. Permeable driveways help in reducing the extent of runoff and combat erosion by allowing the excessive water to percolate deep into the soil till it reaches the water table. This increases the level of natural water supply.
2) Facilitating tree growth
Permeable surfaces provide ample space for the roots of trees to take hold strongly. The roots can go deep into the layers of the soil and grow to full size. Not only is there enough space to spread out, but the porous surface allows water and air to reach the roots. As trees thrive, they lead to a healthy ecology.
3) Preventing water pollution
Generally, when large volumes of water runoff into streams, they erode the banks of the streams and mix heavy metals as well as other pollutants like gasoline and dirt with the water. These pollutants go on collecting in the environment and have an adverse impact on the health of human beings and other organisms. In the process of controlling water runoff, permeable surfaces hold pollutants in place. When the water seeps into the ground, the pollutants are left behind on the surface. They do not get the chance of entering the nearby water bodies and causing pollution.
4) Temperature control
Permeable driveways in Westchester, NY have a cooler surface than concrete or impervious ones because of water retention and absorption. Temperature is lower than the surrounding areas. Another point is that permeable surfaces are usually light in color so they reflect the rays of the sun. This reduces the temperature further.
5) Attractive appearance
Permeable driveways look elegant and unique because of the variety of shapes, colors and sizes of pavers available. You can mix and match pavers to create an unusual pattern which instantly attracts the eye of your visitors and increases the curb appeal of your property.
BLACKTOP
Now that you know everything related to permeable driveways, let us move on to the second option, which is blacktop.
What is a Blacktop Driveway?
A blacktop driveway is basically another name for asphalt driveways or macadam driveways. Blacktop driveways are usually more common in the Northern states. The reason is that the Northern region of United States goes through constant cycles of freezing and thawing. The permeable driveway cannot handle such pressure.
The term blacktop originated from the time when concrete roads were converted into asphalt ones when they required repairing. They were ‘blacktopped’ with asphalt. Blacktop driveways in Westchester, NY can withstand the onslaught of extreme weather conditions. The surface of blacktop driveways is very durable. When it comes to permeable driveways vs. blacktop, the second option proves to be much easier to install. Asphalt is tough and provides good return on investment.
It is a low cost paving option which is preferred by property owners, contractors and even landscaping companies. The best part is that asphalt can be recycled multiple times. It requires less maintenance and is skid-free.
Asphalt tends to develop holes and cracks after sometime due to regular use. You should not ignore these signs of disrepair because the cost of repairing increases when the damage becomes severe. Most driveways in Westchester, NY are asphalt ones though permeable driveways are rapidly catching up because of their trendy appearance.
Why install a blacktop driveway?
There are multiple benefits of installing a blacktop driveway in Westchester, NY.
What is a Blacktop Driveway?
A blacktop driveway is basically another name for asphalt driveways or macadam driveways. Blacktop driveways are usually more common in the Northern states. The reason is that the Northern region of United States goes through constant cycles of freezing and thawing. The permeable driveway cannot handle such pressure.
The term blacktop originated from the time when concrete roads were converted into asphalt ones when they required repairing. They were ‘blacktopped’ with asphalt. Blacktop driveways in Westchester, NY can withstand the onslaught of extreme weather conditions. The surface of blacktop driveways is very durable. When it comes to permeable driveways vs. blacktop, the second option proves to be much easier to install. Asphalt is tough and provides good return on investment.
It is a low cost paving option which is preferred by property owners, contractors and even landscaping companies. The best part is that asphalt can be recycled multiple times. It requires less maintenance and is skid-free.
Asphalt tends to develop holes and cracks after sometime due to regular use. You should not ignore these signs of disrepair because the cost of repairing increases when the damage becomes severe. Most driveways in Westchester, NY are asphalt ones though permeable driveways are rapidly catching up because of their trendy appearance.
Why install a blacktop driveway?
There are multiple benefits of installing a blacktop driveway in Westchester, NY.
1) Cost effective
Asphalt driveways cost much less than concrete driveways in terms of installation. It is not only the material which is low cost but the labor charges are also economical because the process of installation is not very labor intensive. It lasts for a long time and is recyclable. The residual value is greater because reclaimed asphalt can be reheated and reused.
2) Smooth texture
No other paving material gives as smooth a result as asphalt. The material is flexible and the asphalt driveway is built in multiple layers which provide a smooth surface. Noise pollution gets considerably reduced because there are no bumps, joints or scrapes on the surface to jolt the vehicle.
3) Durable
Asphalt is a highly durable material. If it is constructed properly, the driveway can last for several decades. The correct method of construction includes installation of the base layer, intermediate layer and the surface layer. If the base layer is strong, then just the top layer needs to be renewed after 15 to 20 years.
4) Quick installation and maintenance
The blacktop driveway in Westchester, NY can be quickly constructed. It does not require a long curing time. Within a few hours of laying the asphalt, you can start walking and driving vehicles on it. As there are no joints in the asphalt, the driveway is not affected by freezing or thawing cycles. Thus, maintenance requirements are low. Repairing is easy and cost-effective.
Demerits of Blacktop Driveways
1) Cracking
Asphalt is not as strong as concrete. It has a tendency to break and crack when put under tremendous pressure constantly. The cracks generally develop when the asphalt is not installed properly. Inadequate mixing of the material and uneven surfaces cause the surface to crack. Every few years, depressions or minor cracks can appear on the surface which need to be repaired immediately otherwise the damage can worsen and become irreparable.
2) Sealing
After the asphalt is poured on the driveway and smoothened, it needs to be sealed to avoid cracks. The sealing procedure is optional but it is helpful. When the blacktop driveway is sealed, it takes 2 to 3 days to dry and become ready for use. Once you seal the driveway, resealing becomes necessary every 3 to 5 years. Resealing requires investment of time and money.
3) Equipment
Asphalt installation requires the use of heavy equipment. To make the surface smooth, paving equipment and graders along with sand spreaders and distributor trucks are necessary. Renting such equipment can prove to be quite costly when the driveway to be constructed is large in size. The installation becomes cost-prohibitive in such cases.
4) Damage due to heat
Asphalt is very sensitive to heat. It starts expanding under heat and when it cools, the surface starts developing cracks. It is not an ideal material for driveway construction in areas where the temperatures are high. Sealing and resealing makes maintenance tedious.
5) Not many design alternatives
Blacktop driveways as the name suggests are black in color. A combination of black and white or black and grey is possible. Other than that, there are very few design alternatives compared to concrete or permeable driveways. Even though colored asphalt is available nowadays, it cannot match the design possibilities of concrete.
Permeable Driveway vs. Blacktop
There are multiple benefits of installing a blacktop driveway in Westchester, NY.
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of permeable and blacktop driveways, you need to make a choice between the two. Here is a short comparison to help you out:
- Storm water management
If your area in Westchester, NY is prone to floods, then permeable driveways prove to be of immense help in curbing the damage. The driveways absorb excessive water and reduce runoff. On the other hand, blacktop driveways are impervious and do not offer an effective barrier to runoff.
- Installation and Maintenance
Permeable driveways definitely require a longer installation time than blacktop. However, after installation, maintenance is very low. The driveway requires very little if any maintenance to preserve permeability.
- Cost
The initial cost of installing a permeable driveway in Westchester, NY is higher than that of an asphalt one but the long term benefits make it a cost-effective solution in the long run. The reason is that the recurring costs are nil whereas asphalt driveways need to repair every few years, and sealed even more often.
- Benefit to the Environment
Though asphalt is recyclable, it does not protect from storm water damage. Permeable driveways are durable as well as eco-friendly because they filter pollutants, prevent runoff and contribute to the rise in the groundwater level.
- Durability
Asphalt driveways are prone to cracks and holes but permeable driveways stay in place for decades. Even if the pavers come off in some places, they can be easily replaced with new ones. In case of asphalt, replacement becomes necessary after every 15 years.
The comparisons clearly establishes permeable driveways as a better option for homes in Westchester, NY. It is a one-time investment which does not lose its viability even in the long term.
Westchester Pavers is a premiere company for paver driveway installation in Westchester, NY. For further details about the permeable driveway installation process you can get in touch with us anytime.
