What are the benefits of a brick or stone driveway?
Installing a brick or stone driveway for your home can have benefits like:
Curb appeal: A brick or stone driveway has a classic, high-end look that can beautify your home and even increase its potential resale value.
Durability: Both materials are tough and can withstand heavy vehicle traffic and harsh weather for decades, often lasting longer than traditional asphalt or concrete.
Low-maintenance repairs: If a single brick or stone paver cracks or becomes stained, you can replace it. This makes repairs much simpler and more affordable than redoing an entire surface.
Design options: There are a lot of possible colors, shapes, and sizes, so you can create custom patterns and designs to match your home's architectural style.
Better drainage: Paver systems can be designed to be permeable, which lets rainwater soak into the ground naturally. This helps reduce puddles and manage stormwater runoff.
Is a brick driveway cheaper than concrete?
No, a brick driveway is generally more expensive than concrete. Concrete is one of the most affordable paving options, while brick has higher material and labor costs. That said, replacing individual bricks is typically easier and less expensive than repairing a concrete slab, so you can save money down the line.
How can I save money on a new brick or stone driveway?
Here are some ways to save when installing a new brick or stone driveway:
Choose cost-effective materials. While high-end natural stone is beautiful, you can get a similar look for less with concrete pavers that mimic brick or stone.
Simplify the design. A straight stone driveway typically costs less in labor and materials than a curved one with complex patterns or borders.
Handle some prep work yourself. Clearing the old driveway area of landscaping, debris, or small structures ahead of time can help reduce your contractor's labor hours.
Schedule during the off-season. Brick and stone contractors are often busiest in the spring and summer, so booking your project in the late fall or winter may get you a better deal.
Get multiple quotes. Always compare bids from at least three different qualified installers to help ensure a fair price.
How do I choose a pro to install my brick or stone driveway?
Here are some tips for choosing your brick and stone installer:
Get several estimates. A good estimate will offer a detailed breakdown of costs for materials, labor, permitting, and site preparation like excavation and grading. It should also include a clear project timeline.
Verify their insurance and licensing. A reputable contractor should have general liability insurance. Most states also require workers’ compensation insurance for contractors with employees. Plus, local law may require a general contractor license or a masonry license.
Read their reviews. Look for comments about the contractor’s communication and timeliness, along with the durability of their work. Red flags include mention of uneven surfaces, poor drainage, or pavers that shifted soon after the job was done.
Look at their portfolios. Check for photos of past driveway projects. Do the lines look clean, are the patterns consistent, and does the overall quality match your expectations?
Find out if they offer warranties. Ask about warranties covering workmanship, which can protect you if pavers settle or shift. The bricks or stones themselves may also come with a separate manufacturer's warranty.
How long does it take to install a brick or stone driveway?
It typically takes anywhere from a few days to over a week to complete a professional brick or stone driveway installation. A few factors can impact how long it takes, like:
Driveway size: A wide or long driveway naturally requires more time at every step, from excavation to laying the final stone.
Site prep: Removing an old driveway or doing heavy grading on sloped land can add a day or more to the schedule.
Design complexity: Intricate patterns like herringbone or circular designs take more time and precision to install than a classic "running bond" brick pattern.
Weather conditions: Bad weather, like rain, can mean pausing work to protect the base layer and prevent problems with setting the stones.
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits for driveway work, and the approval process can sometimes delay the project’s start date.
Remember, always ask your brick and stone installer to give you a project timeline before starting.
What maintenance do brick and stone driveways require?
Your new brick or stone driveway will probably need regular sweeping and occasional washing to remove dirt and prevent stains. To help keep pavers in place, pull weeds from the joints when you see any and add new sand between the joints every few years. To help protect sealed stone from weather damage, stains, and fading, pros recommend re-sealing every three to five years. These steps can help extend the life of your driveway and safeguard your investment.