Does your driveway deserve a makeover?
Homeowners often look for ways to improve their homes. While many homeowners have visions of refurbished kitchens and brand new bathrooms dancing in their heads, smaller jobs can also give a home a new and improved look. One such job is redoing the driveway. While it might not be as glamorous as a new kitchen or creating a home theater, redoing the driveway can give a home’s exterior a decidedly different look. Those considering a new driveway should carefully consider the different materials available before getting to work.
Gravel Gravel driveways provide a more historical feel, one that harkens homeowners back to the days of horse-drawn carriages. Those who want to add a touch of yesteryear to their home’s exterior might want to consider a gravel driveway, which is not only a more classical look, but, in many instances, a more affordable one as well. A definite consideration for homeowners considering gravel, however, is the average rainfall. Homeowners who live in areas with heavy rainfall should probably avoid gravel driveways, as washout could wash away all of the driveway’s stones. It’s also likely a gravel driveway will turn muddy should heavy rains arrive.
want to consider these materials, as their aesthetic appeal is often unrivaled, and a smaller Many homeowners choose asphalt drive- driveway will result in less weeds to pull and ways because of their ease of maintenance less maintenance costs. and cost effectiveness. Contractors are used to installing asphalt driveways, and many DIYers Concrete can even do the job themselves. Perhaps the biggest argument against Concrete driveways, like asphalt, often asphalt driveways is they attract heat. Parents make parents cringe. In spite of their aesthetic might not want their kids playing on an asphalt appeal, Moms and Dads often look ahead to driveway in summer, when a trip or fall might nasty spills taken by kids on concreate drivenot only result in a scrape, but quite possibly ways, which can also prove tough to clean, as a burn as well. Asphalt driveways tend to they’re prone to stains. crack over time as well, forcing homeowners In spite of those characteristics, concrete to repave them more often than they might driveways are quite popular, thanks in large prefer. part to customization. Concrete driveways can be customized to a homeowner’s particular needs and wants, including colors and designs. Cobblestone or bluestone Homeowners who want a driveway beyond Homeowners with deep pockets and the the standard fare might prefer concrete for its environment on the brain might want to versatility of style. consider cobblestone or bluestone for their next driveway. Both cobblestone and blue- Brick stone are environmentally friendly, but they’re also expensive. What’s more, driveways made Another expensive but very pleasing of cobblestone and bluestone are prone to driveway material is brick. Labor costs make weeds and will require resealing during their brick driveways among the more expensive lifespan. to install. However, homeowners with brick As much as they might scare off some driveways typically find the driveway becomes homeowners, the beauty of cobblestone and a talking point and the envy of neighbors. bluestone might make it all worthwhile. Homeowners with smaller driveways might —Metro Services
Asphalt
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Offer available to individuals who live, work, worship, attend school or volunteer in the City of Richmond, VA. Not all borrowers will qualify for lowest rates shown. Rates vary based on creditworthiness and term of loan, and are subject to change without notice. Call for more details. *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Same rates New and Used. The 2.99% APR is valid on beacon scores of 680 and above and for terms 24 months or less. Rates not offered below stated rate of 2.99% APR. Existing New Generations loans may qualify for refinance by financing an additional $2,000 and the vehicle must qualify within the appraised value. **80% Loan-to-value. Existing New Generations loans will qualify for refinance by financing an additional ten-percent of loan balance. All fees are to be paid by loan recipient. Minimum loan amount of $50,000 required. Origination fees apply and may be financed with loan. Taxes and insurance not included. This promotion expires at the discretion of the Credit Union.
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Fall Home | A Special Supplement to The Mechanicsville Local
September 15, 2010
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