Types of Residential Driveways

Residential driveways must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. There are several types of driveway that can be created for the typical modern residence, including dirt, gravel, pavers, concrete, and asphalt. Each has advantages and drawbacks. A dirt driveway is the least costly, but it is very unattractive, and the dirt erodes away, forming potholes that can damage vehicles. A gravel driveway, also called an oil and stone driveway, consists of gravel laid on a sprayed oil base, then leveled and smoothed; two layers of oil and stone are the norm. Gravel driveways require periodic maintenance, because they deteriorate over time as individual stones migrate away. Pavers, such as bricks or cobblestones, are very attractive when properly applied, but can be costly and are very labor-intensive to install. Concrete and asphalt are the two most popular surfaces for residential driveways. Concrete is more costly than asphalt and is generally more rigid, as well. Both hold up well under normal traffic loads and require special equipment to install efficiently. In areas where temperatures get low enough, the movement of the ground due to water collecting, freezing, and thawing underneath the paved area is a consideration. This movement, called heaving, can warp or break the pavement, necessitating costly repairs. When heaving is a possibility, contractors must take certain steps to avoid it. -- About the Author: Silvana Casey, the owner of Casey Paving, LLC, has over 35 years of experience in the paving industry. Specializing in all aspects of asphalt paving for commercial and residential applications, Casey Paving is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.

Hot Asphalt Driveway Paving by Bill Casey, Lead Operator, Casey Paving, LLC

The first step in paving a residential driveway with hot asphalt is excavation of the driveway. This clears all unstable elements such as sand, clay, large rocks, and organic material. The subgrade is then installed, usually a blend of gravel and loam, to a thickness of 6 to 12 inches. The subgrade should be permitted to settle and compact. In most conventional residential driveways, once the subgrade has been installed and has settled, its surface will be between 4 and 6 inches below grade.

Installation of a base comes next. The base usually consists of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Once installed, the base undergoes grading and compacting. Many contractors give the base a few days to settle before applying the surface layer. The surface layer is asphalt concrete, a mixture consisting of about 95 percent aggregate, such as gravel, crushed rock, or RCA, and 5 percent hot asphalt, a natural derivative of petroleum which binds the aggregate when cool. Hot asphalt concrete is delivered to the site, loaded into a paving machine, and applied to the driveway. Immediately upon application, the surface is rolled and compacted; it should sit for a few days before vehicles drive on it.

Newly installed asphalt driveways must cure for up to a year for the asphalt surface to achieve the hardness necessary to provide a durable surface that should last for decades. At the end of the curing process, any asphalt surface should be sealed against penetration by water and other liquids.


About the Author: Bill Casey, the Lead Operator of Casey Paving, LLC, has 35 years of experience installing hot asphalt surfaces on driveways and parking lots. Casey Paving, based in Reno, Nevada, also serves customers in Idaho.