Paving Shreveport

The Many Types of Paving Options

Creating a beautiful driveway or other exterior decorations requires the best options for paving Shreveport, LA has to offer. Thankfully, there are many different options from which you can choose, each of which has benefits that make them worth your consideration. At Ark-La-Tex Paving, we can find the best options for your needs and get you the beautiful look that you deserve.

Asphalt – Keeps Your Cold-Weather Driveway Safe

Although asphalt is usually more of a commercial paving option for large parking lots, it can still be used on residential driveways. Many people turn to asphalt because it is relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and doesn’t have a lengthy installation process. After about a day or so of curing, your driveway is usually ready for you to walk or drive on without difficulty. This benefit makes asphalt very good for those who want a driveway quickly without a lot of issues.

However, there are also many other benefits to this material. For example, many people get asphalt if they live in cold-weather areas. That’s because asphalt resists damage to cold very well and is strong enough to last for decades. As a result, you may want to consider this option if you are located somewhere that gets hit by a lot of ice and snow.

As you can imagine, the opposite type of temperature condition can be problematic for asphalt paving. Unfortunately, asphalt can soften up in extreme heat, such as sustained sun exposure during the summer. Sealants can help to minimize the impact of this problem in many ways, but you need to make sure that you pay attention to this facet to ensure that you don’t run into any complications.

Gravel – More Beneficial Than You May Think

Though you might not think that many people use gravel as a paving choice for their home, it is often used in rural areas or by those who don’t have a lot of money to spend on pavement. That’s because gravel is rather inexpensive and is not hard to maintain – an occasional addition of gravel grated down a little should be all that you need to keep your driveway stable and secure.

And gravel is very easy to install, as well, which is what makes it an excellent choice for those on a budget. People who want a rustic style to their home or who like traditional fashions may choose gravel to meet this purpose. However, we don’t get a ton of demand for this pavement option for a number of reasons. First of all, it is not suitable for city or urban environments because it may go against city ordinances.

And gravel is not as steady as other types of pavements, which means people who are prone to slipping and falling may want to be very careful to avoid running into any complications. Beyond that, gravel often lets various types of plants grow on your driveway. As a result, we suggest this option only in particular circumstances and usually direct our customers to other pavement choices.

Slate – A Subtle and Textured Stone

Many homeowners decide to use slate for their paving needs. There are many different reasons that they may make this choice. First of all, slate is beautiful and is available in many different shapes and textures. As a result, it is usually considered one of the most comfortable options for many homeowners, providing a unique level of control and beauty that is hard to top in many ways.

For example, you can utilize many different colors, like gray, white, red, and much more to create a very gorgeous looking slate for your driveway or yard. And slate can also be easily customized into various shapes and textures, which should make it easier for you to get a large number of different styles without having to make a lot of compromises with the material at the same time.

That said, slate is a type of pavement that you need to be very careful with if you plan on installing it outsides. That’s because it can end up getting damaged due to chipping or flaking in cold weather or heavy traffic. As a result, we often suggest this as more of a decorative option, though you can still use it as a driveway pavement if you are careful with how you seal it and protect its surface.

Concrete – A Very Common Option

You’ve probably seen a large number of concrete driveways over the year. There is a significant reason for this commonality – concrete is robust, inexpensive, and a compelling option for many paving situations. You can not only add this pavement to your driveway but also use it for decorative elements throughout your yard, such as birdbaths, garden stones, and much more.

Beyond these benefits, concrete also provides a myriad of different color options that are very diverse and useful for many homeowners. For example, you can use stain to change the look and texture of your concrete in a way that is harder with other types of pavement. And you can cut concrete reasonably easily, which makes it one of the most adaptable and easy-to-use pavement types on the market today.

The downsides of concrete pavement are minimal but existent. First of all, concrete is prone to cold-weather damage because it can cause the expansion of the water in the material. When this happens, your driveway may crack, though sealants help avoid this problem and minimize the risk. Concrete also requires more frequent maintenance but usually doesn’t cost much to upkeep.

Don’t Neglect Your Driveway

As you can see, the best paving in Shreveport, LA is available in many different options and, by now, you should have a good idea of which option is best for you. So please don’t hesitate to contact us at Ark-La-Tex Paving to learn more. We have years of experience installing a large number of pavement options and will do what we can to ensure that your driveway is durable and protected.