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Paving a driveway is generally the last thing on a homeowner or potential homeowner's mind, but the choices made can make a real difference down the road. Some driveway types will require lots of maintenance and frequent repair or replacement and others, such as asphalt, are meant to stand the test of time. Buying one that will last is generally the best choice overall. Typically, the three big picks for driveways that are paved are gravel, concrete and asphalt. Those who want practically maintenance free driveways go with asphalt. Asphalt does require maintenance, but it stands up well to time and maintains its appearance well when it's treated with care. This is true for a number of reasons. Asphalt, the stuff roads are made of, is meant to take a serious beating. For paving purposes it's made of a mixture of concrete and petroleum that's designed to handle heat, weight and wear and tear when it retains a solid form. Just like a roadway, though, it requires proper laying and care to maintain its usefulness, but when these go into the mix, the advantages over plain concrete are many and include: * Smoothness. Asphalt generally looks cleaner and smoother than gravel. It's also a little easier to shape than concrete. A well laid asphalt driveway can look as pretty as a black sheet of glass. * Property value. A solid driveway that looks great can add value to a property by increasing its eye appeal. * Appearance. Asphalt that's well maintained can hold its appearance much longer than typical concrete and especially gravel. Since it's laid down and hardened, asphalt won't need to be replaced as often as loose gravel drives will. * Stain resistant. Asphalt is great for helping a driveway stay in pristine looking condition. Oil spills and other stains that plague gravel and concrete either just don't stick to asphalt or they are not visible. This makes asphalt the best choice for those who want their driveways to stay in brand new looking condition. Asphalt drives can cost a little more than the other two alternatives, but since they maintain their appearance and resist stains, they can be the better choice. The cost savings in the long run can be fantastic. When the other two are in need of repair or total replacement, asphalt can stay looking great. The key to making sure an asphalt drive looks good all the time is to make sure it's taken care of. Asphalt needs to be properly sealed to resist cracks, breaks and potholes. Grass around the edges needs to be removed on a regular basis to ensure it doesn't create problems, too. The little bit of maintenance, however, is a lot better than having to deal with ugly stains or premature replacement. The natural enemies of unsealed asphalt are heat, the sun's ultraviolet rays, and more. When a driveway's sealed, it can last a life time. Just make sure to follow proper maintenance routines and an asphalt driveway will prove itself tops over the other choices.
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