Outdoor fireplaces are a fantastic way to bring some of the comfort of your home outdoors, and provide a wonderful gathering place for your friends and family. If you’re looking to recreate the classic look of stacked stone, there are many ways to ensure that your outdoor fireplace provides comfort as well as aesthetic value. Giving your outdoor fireplace a beautiful stacked stone look will turn your outdoor fireplace into a focal point and a stunning design element that will drastically enhance your Burr Ridge, IL, backyard.

The stacked stone look provides a gorgeous, natural design, and can be added to an existing outdoor fireplace, or chosen as the design for a newly built outdoor fireplace. Carefully select the best method for your Burr Ridge, IL backyard that will enhance the beauty of your backyard and coexist with other design elements in your landscape.

Natural Stone vs. Veneer Stone

Natural stone is unaltered, unadulterated stone quarried directly from the earth. Nothing is added or removed from the stone, and it retains its natural look. Veneer stone can be either natural or manufactured; a combination of cement, iron oxides, and other additives, which are made into molds to look like stone. Veneer stone is designed for the purpose of easy installation and a lower price, while natural stone is much more expensive and more complicated to install.  Veneer stone is lightweight, easy to cut and handle, and is a popular option to add a stone-like look for a high return on investment. 

Natural Stone

Natural stone is strong and durable. And often preferable to veneer stone, which has a tendency to crack and break over time with exposure to the elements. Each natural stone is uniquely beautiful—they may not fit together as cleanly as veneer stone blocks, but the overall effect is more authentic. 

Your landscaper can cut and install stone to your specifications, and the result will be unmatched. The project will take time, as it is far more difficult to install than its manufactured competitors.

Concrete Units

Another method of achieving the stacked stone look is with concrete units specially designed to replicate stacked flagstone or ledge rock. These units are often designed to be extremely hard-wearing and can be used to construct an outdoor fireplace relatively quickly. In addition, these units don’t require mortar like natural stone, and fit tightly together to allow for a more stable structure that will require less maintenance than a natural stone fireplace. There are also many different color options available from concrete wall unit manufacturers, so you’ll be able to find a wallstone to match your hardscape design. 

Stacked Stone Designs Will Enhance Your Outdoor Space

While many outdoor fireplaces use stone blocks or stone elements, a true stacked stone design will blend your outdoor fireplace in with the environment of your own piece of the outdoors.  The stacked design allows for the inclusion of multiple shapes, and colors, which, when combined, add a breathtaking design element to your outdoor living space. Talk to your landscape professional about stacked stone options to add to your outdoor fireplace to make it an unmatched focal point for you Burr Ridge, IL yard.

A retaining wall for your Downers Grove, IL, property can upgrade the look of your entire landscape. If you’re contemplating whether or not to bring in retaining walls to your outdoor space, there are multiple benefits to consider.

A Long-Lasting Option

Quality retaining walls made  premium materials, such as the Unilock Rivercrest Walls make good on their investment, by adding to your property value once they are installed. Their durable nature enables them combat the toughest weather conditions. They won’t easily crack or crumble. 

Related: Landscape Design Ideas for Creating an Atmospheric Outdoor Dining Room in Lisle, IL

An Aid for Design

As a decorative tool, a well-placed retaining wall can update or complete your landscape’s overall look. At Montano’s Landscaping, Inc. we can help you choose the right type of wall and materials for your needs. While retaining walls are generally used for functional purposes, they could also be used to create height for a flower garden, create division for outdoor rooms, and allow beautiful built-in seating walls.

Hillside Landscaping

If your property is on a slope and you’re not sure what to do about slipping soil or unsightly soil build-up, or you just need more flat space a retaining wall could fit your needs. Landscaping experts will ensure the wall will not negatively impact your home or surrounding landscape, but instead – provide more usable outdoor space. Professional landscape contractors can assess your property’s slope and offer sound retaining-wall construction advice. The solution depends on the level of the ground and type of slope. Another relevant option is a tiered design. This will turn an unseemly, bland area into an aesthetically pleasing focal point while the set of walls keep back the soil. 

Related: Natural Stone Vs. Concrete for Your Downers Grove, IL, Retaining Wall

Retaining Walls For Preventing Soil Erosion

Perhaps their most noticeable benefit is retaining walls’ ability to protect your land from erosion and flooding. Heavy, continuous rains will push water down a slope while carrying soil, rocks, and other debris with it. Avoid this risk with a retaining wall installation that will keep your property, landscape, and structures safe. The barrier they create will help with proper drainage. The walls can be built to lead water away from soil, and in turn, keep soil from eroding. Our superior landscaping experts can construct retaining walls that are perfect for the job, while maintaining quality design and the overall style of your exterior space. 

If you are planning on renovating or replacing the driveway of your Saint Charles, IL, home, you will find an overwhelming number of commonly used driveway materials at your disposal. Every homeowner wants a stunning driveway that will make a memorable first impression on visitors, so choosing the right material is important. If you’ve narrowed down your choice to pavers and poured concrete - both frequently used materials for driveways - be sure to check out the differences between them below:

Versatility of Design

With their wide range of versatile patterns, colors, and shapes, pavers can enhance the look of your front yard. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a modest update to your front yard, or want to completely redesign your driveway, concrete pavers have the power to transform the outdoor space, creating the exact aesthetic you wish to achieve. Compared to poured concrete, in the category of versatility and design possibilities, pavers definitely steal the lead. 

Concrete pavers allow you to be creative and match the architectural style or color of your home and the surrounding structures. Turn your front entrance into a grandiose welcome with a traditional or contemporary styled driveway, or add warmth to your rustic landscape with an old-world cobblestone appearance. 

Related: Why Choose Pavers over Asphalt for Your Naperville, IL, Driveway

A Hassle Free Installation

Once the base has been prepared, pavers can be installed quickly and easily. While the pouring of concrete is a relatively quick process as well, concrete pavers can be put to use immediately after they have been laid. Poured concrete, on the other hand, requires significant curing time and can’t be used until the concrete is set and ready. Even so, poured concrete has a tendency to crack, especially if the site was not properly prepared before installation. 

Pavers for a Durable Driveway

With the right high-quality pavers and an experienced contractor, such as Montano’s Landscaping, Inc., concrete pavers will last for the lifetime of your home. Concrete pavers can loosen over time, but this is easily remedied. Even damaged pavers can be easily lifted and replaced at very little cost - unlike poured concrete which requires the entire surface to be replaced. 

Poured concrete is prone to splitting and cracking. Changes in temperature, shifting in the ground beneath the concrete surface, and an uneven base are common causes for cracks in poured concrete. One of the biggest drawbacks of poured concrete is the cost and inconvenience involved in its repairs. 

Pavers are Very Low-Maintenance 

Concrete is relatively easy to maintain, but it does pose a serious challenge when it comes to stains. Poured concrete is highly porous and substances, such as oil, grease, and even storm water, can cause poured concrete to develop unsightly marks. While this can be limited by applying special sealants and surface coatings, this can prove costly in the long run. Concrete pavers, on the other hand, offer a low porosity and are often manufactured with special resistance against staining and fading. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, long-term driveway solution, concrete pavers are, without a doubt, the ideal option. 

Everybody loves gathering around the warm glow of a fire—and everybody loves pizza. So, the addition of an outdoor fireplace with pizza oven in your Geneva, IL, yard is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. With the help and expertise of a professional landscaper and these three tips, your beautiful and functional outdoor fireplace and pizza oven will be ready for entertaining in no time!
 
The Right Design

An outdoor fireplace and pizza oven can easily stand on its own or be integrated into a full outdoor kitchen. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of natural stone, the traditional look of brick, the uniform elegance of modern stacked stone, southwestern stucco, or contemporary concrete, there are countless building materials and designs to accommodate every taste and yard. While the building material used in the interior of the outdoor fireplace and pizza oven must be able to withstand extremely high temperatures, and thus is limited to only a few options, the exterior can be made of many different materials. 

Related: 4 Essential Features Every Outdoor Kitchen Should Have in Lisle, IL

For the sake of optimum functionality, outdoor fireplaces are typically rectangular in shape and pizza ovens are usually dome-shaped. However, your landscaping professional likely has a few tricks up his or her sleeve for creating a wholly unique and fully functional fireplace and pizza oven.
 
The Right Fuel Source

It is important to know the pros and cons of each fuel source so that you can make sure your outdoor fireplace and pizza oven fit your lifestyle and outdoor space. You have two options: gas or wood. A wood-burning fireplace generates more heat than gas but also creates a significant amount of smoke and requires a chimney. Because of this, there are typically more code regulations by which to adhere. Regular and frequent cleaning and maintenance is essential with a wood-burning fireplace. Even so, a wood-burning fireplace is typically less expensive. 

Gas-burning fireplaces, on the other hand, require very little maintenance and cleaning, and are significantly easier to use. However, a gas-burning stove does require adequate venting and a gas line that connects to your home. If you plan to locate your outdoor fireplace and pizza oven far from the home, a gas-burning fireplace may not be possible. 
Lastly, some would argue that nothing compares to the smell, sight, and authentic pizza taste of a real wood-burning fireplace. A professional will can help you decide what kind of fuel option is best for your needs.

Related: 3 Ideas for Incorporating an Outdoor Fireplace in Your Geneva, IL, Backyard
 
The Right Location

A professional landscaper will make sure that your outdoor fireplace and pizza oven are located in a safe, convenient, and landscape-enhancing space. Typically, homeowners like their outdoor fireplace and pizza oven in close proximity to adequate storage. For convenience and safety, wood or propane, cleaning supplies, fire extinguisher, and fire-tending tools should be nearby. A fireplace and pizza oven should be functional and easy to use, so storage must be considered before installation. 

Proper storage will also ensure that your space is neat and tidy. When deciding where to put your fireplace, it is also important to find a dry space that allows for adequate drainage. Precipitation and winter weather can really damage an outdoor fireplace if a functioning drainage system is not properly installed.

Related: ​3 Patio Designs Best for Entertaining in Hinsdale, IL

A fire pit is one of the most desirable outdoor features for any Batavia, IL backyard. Not only does a roaring fire offer an exciting visual element, but it also serves as a natural gathering point for people. Choosing the right shape for you firepit can be a deceptively complicated task, requiring a balance of the aesthetics, functionality and the design flow of your landscape. 

Match to your landscape design

For most people, the term fire pit conjures up images of a traditional round fire pit to camp around. Round fire pits are generally favored for their softer, more organic design, as well as a throwback to the classic round campfire. The curved design makes them especially well-suited to more traditional and natural landscapes, especially ones that features a lot of curved paths and features. 

In contrast to this, square and rectangular fire pits are more at home in more modern and formal backyard designs. The sleek lines give an impression of order and conformity in line with contemporary landscape design. If your existing landscape design has a lot of straight walls, walkways or a rectangular swimming pool, a square fire pit is definitely the optimal choice.  

Related: 3 Ideas for Incorporating an Outdoor Fireplace in Your Geneva, IL, Backyard

Practicality

Both shapes of fire pits offer different levels of practicality. Round fire pits have the advantage of a more uniform distribution of heat into the surroundings. Moreover, the round shape tends to feel more open and allows people to move about it more naturally while encouraging conversations. Round fire pits offer the opportunity for curved permanent seating walls that echo the shape of the fire pit design. Large pieces of moveable furniture, such as outdoor sofas and benches, however, can be difficult to arrange around a circular fire pit. 

Square fire pits tend to be the more efficient option in terms of space, making them much more suitable for smaller yards and patios. Seating layouts are also generally much simpler around a square fire pit, whether you go for permanent seating or moveable patio furniture. You can also easily accommodate people with a straight retaining or seating wall. 

Related: Warm Up Your Evenings with an Outdoor Fireplace!

Materials

The materials you plan to use for your fire pit can also influence the options available for the shape you can choose. Round fire pits are generally made of stacked stone or tapered concrete wall units which complement their rustic look. If you plan to use concrete units, the availability of tapered units in the style of your choice can be a limiting factor. In contrast to this, rectangular concrete wall units are the default shape, giving you a much wider range of options for a square or rectangular fire pit. This also makes them much easier to assemble. 

Texture and color options also play a role in determining the shape. If you plan to use sleek, straight-edged pavers, a rectangular fire pit would match them more naturally. However, if you prefer the rustic look of stacked stone, a round fire pit can be an excellent option. 

Existing design elements, space availability, practicality and material choices can all influence the shape of your fire pit. Keeping these factors in mind can ensure your fire pit integrates beautifully into your backyard. 

Dining alfresco is one of the many joys of summer. To make outdoor dining even more enjoyable, you need a great outdoor dining room. Don’t settle for a plain picnic table or a few lawn chairs by the BBQ. Instead, try some of these landscape design ideas to create a fabulous outdoor dining room for your Lisle, IL backyard.

Romantic Backyard Get-together

Outdoor dining lends itself well to long, leisurely meals that you never want to end. To create the right setting for a cozy dinner party, start with choosing the right location. This is one situation where it’s OK to set the table up on the lawn. Look for a spot under a tree or near an overflowing flower bed to provide a romantic backdrop. 

Related: 4 Essential Features Every Outdoor Kitchen Should Have in Lisle, IL
 
Adding a pergola over the dining area will help define your dining space and provide shade on sunny days. A pergola also makes the perfect spot to train climbing vines and hanging flowers. The greenery will add privacy to your dining area and create a dreamy atmosphere.
 
Outdoor lighting will add ambiance and ensure your parties don’t have to end at dusk. Lanterns and string lights hung from tree branches or a pergola will create a romantic setting.
 
Consider a wooden dining table with eclectic mismatched chairs rather than a contemporary outdoor dining set. Include cushions and some cozy throws to brighten the space and keep guests comfortable. Take advantage of summer blooms and include fresh-cut flowers in the table setting.
 
European Bistro Style Dining

Capture the feeling of stepping into an old-world bistro with landscape design that takes its cues from the past. A beautiful cobblestone or brick patio will provide the right flooring for a traditional outdoor dining area. Classic wrought iron furniture paired with coordinating lighting will help create a European bistro feel.
 
A retractable awning offers the best of both worlds when it comes to protection from the elements. An awning doesn’t take up any floor space and will provide shelter from both the sun and rain. And with a retractable awning, you’ll still have the option to enjoy good weather whenever you choose.  

​Related: 5 Unique Landscape Design Ideas to Create a Backyard Oasis in Burr Ridge, IL
 
Have an outdoor fireplace added to make your dining area comfortable even after the sun goes down. A wood-burning fireplace, built with natural stone, will create the perfect atmosphere for nighttime dining. Trees planted around the dining area will create privacy and add vertical interest.
 
Modern Outdoor Escape

Good landscape design should complement your home’s architecture. Therefore, a modern home should have a modern outdoor dining room. Clean lines and minimalistic style are the trademarks of modern landscape design. A smooth patio featuring Unilock Umbriano or Senzo pavers is the perfect setting for a contemporary outdoor dining room
 
Situate your dining area under a covered patio for shelter from even the worst weather. A covered dining room also allows for upgraded furniture and the addition of some modern electronics. A sound system for dinner music will elevate your dinner parties and provide entertainment after dinner as well.
 
Include a modern gas fire table and comfortable seating for an ideal place to gather for after-dinner drinks. Have planters added with shrubs and tall grasses to help create privacy and soften the hardscaping elements.

Image courtesy of Unilock. 

Outdoor kitchens in Lisle, IL are growing increasingly popular. Simply firing up the grill is a thing of the past. The modern outdoor kitchen allows homeowners to create a full dining experience, all while remaining outdoors. Here are four features that will make your outdoor kitchen a fully functional entertainment area:

Seating

Adequate seating in your outdoor kitchen can be the difference between an outdoor kitchen experience that invites community, and an isolated island to which the grill-master is confined. Seating allows guests and family to gather while the food is being prepared, provides room for outdoor dining, and creates a space to relax after the meal is finished. Whether you include a bar with barstools, built-in wall seating, or a large outdoor table for more formal dining, seating is an essential feature in any functional outdoor kitchen space. Your landscape architect will be able to advise you on what outdoor seating will work best for your space and will ensure that only the most durable materials are used. Additionally, your landscape architect will make sure that adequate shade and protection from rain is available wherever there is seating, to ensure that you and your guests can enjoy your outdoor kitchen even when the weather does not cooperate. 

Related: 3 Patio Designs Best for Entertaining in Hinsdale, IL

Workspace 

The best outdoor kitchens have plenty of available workspace. There’s nothing worse than not having enough counter space. You’ll want enough workspace to make prepping, cooking, serving, and cleaning as easy as possible. To ensure this, a landscape contractor typically divides an outdoor kitchen into hot, dry, wet, and cold zones. The hot zone include cookers, grills and pizza ovens. The dry zone includes most of your counter workspace, cabinets, and storage space. The wet zone includes sinks and dishwashers and the cold zone contains fridges and beverage cooling appliances. This initial spatial gridding ensures that your workspace will be easy to use and efficient. When your contractor is planning the workspace, he or she will base the design on your needs and wants, to ensure that you get the most out of your outdoor kitchen.

Grill

A grill is the cornerstone of any outdoor kitchen. Because so many different kinds of grills are available today, it’s easy to let the imagination go wild. Whether you want a grill with the full gamut of bells and whistles, or a simple grill that’s easy to use, there’s a model out there for you. It’s important, however, to choose the right size, power, and type of grill that will best meet your needs, while fitting into the space available in your outdoor kitchen. Grill fueling methods include gas, charcoal, and wood pellets, and opinions vary wildly on what makes the best burger. 

Lighting

An outdoor kitchen with professionally installed lighting maximizes the time you can spend in the space. A well-lit space can be used during the day or night. Additionally, thoughtfully and professionally installed lighting creates ambiance and a full dining experience on par with any restaurant. Lighting is also a way to accentuate particular features of the outdoor kitchen itself, or nearby landscape focal points. Dimmers are a useful lighting feature, as they allow the homeowner to customize brightness. A bright, safe, and efficient workspace can be had while seating areas are kept at a warm, soft glow. 

Related: ​Top Advantages of Proper Outdoor Lighting System in Naperville, IL

Imagine the calmness and tranquility of an oasis in the closeness of your Burr Ridge, IL,  home’s backyard. An oasis-style backyard is not only wonderfully comfortable, but also a visual feast for the eyes. Here are a few fresh takes on the popular oasis backyard to make it truly yours.

Exotic plants

No oasis is complete without the right type of plant life to help the theme come to life. Lush tropical plant life is essential to make this theme work. You’ll want a range of plants of different textures, colors, and heights to make your landscape look more natural. Broad-leaved trees are a great addition. These will add a vertical element to your design and give it additional depth. Mix up the design with smaller shrubs that also add color, such as Forsythia. Lastly, flower gardens are a must to complete the design. Large, showy flowers are ideal. The prodigious use of ferns will add volume to your landscaping while keeping true to the tropical oasis theme. Consult a contractor to determine which tropical plant species are best suited to the local soil and climate conditions to maximize the longevity of your design.

Running water 

No backyard oasis is complete without a water element in the design. While an inground swimming pool is standard for such as design, you can go the extra mile and integrate running water for a more dramatic representation. For more natural landscapes, this could mean integrating a small pond, letting water flow out into the pool via a small stream. Rocks and foliage can be planted along the water to give it additional authenticity. If your property has the advantage of a gradient, creating a waterfall is also a great way to create a more striking water feature. You can also go the more traditional route of integrating a fountain into your design to give your oasis more opulence. 

Related: Best Summer Landscape Design Tips for Your Lisle Backyard

Go for comfort and homeliness

Making your oasis backyard comfortable for the occupants while still being true to the theme can be a challenge. A natural stone or concrete paver pool deck is an ideal solution and fits in wonderfully with the design theme. You can add patio furniture or even a simple floor setting with plenty of cushions and an umbrella to keep the theme authentic. If your landscape has trees, hammocks are ideal for such a design and comfortable as well. Consider your outdoor living space as an extension of your home and add an outdoor kitchen to complete the homely design.   

Add color

Color is essential in an oasis theme, so choose vibrant colors when it comes to any features. Go for tropical plants with lush greens and vibrant flowers. Be adventurous when it comes to choosing furniture and cushions for your patio or deck. Similarly, choose dynamic colors for the hardscaping. Interlocking pavers are ideal for this kind of application as they offer a wide range of colors and textures, coupled with great durability. 

Entertainment 

Complete the oasis theme with a range of entertainment options for the occupants. Consult a contractor to check the feasibility of an outdoor audio solution that can go a long way in making your oasis the ultimate party location. A water slides is an excellent option for homes with kids. A fire pit is also a must, contrasting the water elements and providing essential light, warmth, and the opportunity to make delicious smores in your oasis backyard. 

Related: ​3 Patio Designs Best for Entertaining in Hinsdale, IL

Retaining walls are both an aesthetically pleasing and functional addition to your landscape.  In Downers Grove, IL, retaining walls are used to create flat terraces, to prevent erosion, and to make a clear delineation of a property’s levels. There are typically two popular options to choose from when having a retaining wall built: concrete or natural stone. Here are some of the pros and cons of each. 

Concrete Retaining Wall: Pros

Concrete blocks are manmade and therefore can be made to fit most spaces, and can easily fit and stay together. They are made in virtually any color, any shape, and any size you can think of. Concrete wall units are easily modified, and can even be used to create rounded borders and sharp edges. Because of their versatility, concrete retaining walls are easier to have installed and are, therefore, more affordable than stone retaining walls. Concrete walls can be built in virtually any size, whether tall and large or narrow and long. Concrete retaining walls are also easily modified for drainage purposes, ensuring that the integrity of your wall is not compromised over time.

Concrete Retaining Wall: Cons

If you need a retaining wall to be built higher than four feet, special attention must be paid to stabilization. This can mean a higher installation cost. However, if your wall is going to be built lower than four feet, installation is far less complicated, less labor intensive, and therefore, far less expensive than stone. Although many concrete wall units resemble the look and feel of natural stone, a concrete retaining wall may not be able to achieve the exact level of authenticity and rusticity that you desire. 

Related: Best Summer Landscape Design Tips for Your Lisle Backyard


Natural Stone Retaining Wall: Pros

Natural stone retaining walls are simply beautiful to behold. They are a symbol of the early days of America and have been used in construction for centuries, if not thousands of years. Natural stone retaining walls are perfect for a rustic look, and are the perfect complement to a country setting. Natural stone comes in many shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. Because of the subtle diversity of natural stone, creativity can play a large role in creating a natural stone retaining wall that is both unique and beautiful. 

Natural Stone Retaining Wall: Cons

Natural stone retaining walls are more expensive per square inch than concrete. Because natural stone retaining walls are most effective when using dense and heavy stones, the cost of installation reflects the intensive labor required. Unlike concrete retaining walls, natural stone retaining walls are likely to have spaces and gaps between the individual stones. Alternatively, if mortar is used, this may cause problems with drainage, which can cause damage to the wall over time. For large or tall retaining walls, stone can prove quite a challenge, which the cost of labor and installation will certainly reflect. Additionally, in some cases, a large or tall stone retaining wall may not even be possible to have built. Thus, stone is best used for shorter and narrower walls where stability is less of a requirement.

Choosing the right material for your Naperville, IL, driveway can be a tough decision. Both popular contenders, asphalt and concrete pavers, offer a set of advantages and disadvantages. However, choosing concrete pavers can be the better decision in most residential applications, giving you an aesthetically beautiful driveway that is environmentally friendly and ultimately more durable than asphalt. 

Design versatility

The biggest advantage of using modern concrete pavers for your driveway is the versatility they offer. Pavers can be found in an almost limitless array of shapes, sizes, textures, and designs. This makes it easy to find the right paving stones to fit in perfectly with the front facade of your home and any existing masonry in your front yard. For more traditional homes, concrete pavers that mimic natural stone are an excellent option. This is also an excellent way to bring the old-world charm of cobblestones or clay bricks to your driveway. For more modern homes, you can choose a sleeker paver with clean lines and subdued colors that will provide a more minimalist look. Or you can go the middle route of using pavers based on natural stones, such as bluestone or sandstone, that can work beautifully in most designs.

Related: Best Summer Landscape Design Tips for Your Lisle Backyard


Laying patterns

Interlocking concrete pavers also offer the ability to further enhance your design with intricate laying patterns. Laying patterns can be used to integrate a variety of pavers of different sizes to give your design more depth. Moreover, you have more freedom in creating borders and accents that can make your driveway really stand out. In contrast to this amazing design versatility, asphalt driveways can seem quite drab, giving you few options of customizes their appearance. 

Permeability

Permeable variants of concrete pavers also offer a more environmentally friendly solution to rainwater management. While asphalt driveways are typically impermeable, which causes water to flow off them and into stormwater drainage systems, permeable pavers feature a more penetrable surface. This allows water to seep into the driveway and assimilate back into the soil. This water eventually joins the groundwater and helps to maintain the groundwater levels under your property, completing the water cycle and providing a more eco-friendly solution. 

Longevity

Lastly, we come to the major reason why most people choose asphalt for their driveway. Asphalt is typically favored due to its longevity. However, concrete pavers installed by an experienced contractor can produce a driveway that can be significantly more durable than asphalt and last decades without the high-maintenance of an asphalt driveway. The secret lies in ensuring that the underlying layers of aggregate provide a solid foundation for the pavers, as well as the weight of vehicles. Moreover, modern construction often utilizes a synthetic mesh grid that does an excellent job of ensuring that there is little to no sinking of the surface by evenly distributing the weight over the soil. The pavers themselves are highly durable, featuring high strength concrete and multiple color layers that prevent them from fading from sun exposure and spills. 

Cost

Asphalt is also associated with having a lower cost. However, while paved driveway can be more expensive to install, their desirability and durability can get you a better return on investment by raising your property’s value. Interlocking pavers are also easier to replace if damaged or cracked, whereas asphalt requires unsightly fillers or complete replacement if cracks develop over time.