First and foremost, the driveway needs to withstand the load of vehicles and provide easy access between the road and where the vehicle is stored. A driveway that will give way to the pressure of traffic can damage the property and car, and lead to increased maintenance costs; a driveway that makes it difficult to enter and exit the property can prove a daily hassle.
In addition to providing practical benefits, a driveway must be attractive to preserve the look and value of the property. After all, it does occupy a large portion of the property's frontage and plays a large role in forming people's impression of the house.
When considering the costs of installing a new driveway always factor in the ongoing maintenance costs. Some driveway materials are expensive to install, but require little by way of maintenance; others need ongoing maintenance to keep them looking their best.
Below you'll find articles on the materials most commonly used for driveways in Australia.
Concrete driveways
Concrete driveways are long-lasting, low maintenance and can be very attractive with a bit of effort.
Brick and paving driveways
Bricks and pavers offer a classic look for driveways - but they must be installed and maintained with care.
Gravel driveways
Gravel is a cheaper option for driveways - but it does require regular maintenance to ensure it looks good and performs well.
Grass driveways
Grass driveways are attractive, but require reinforcement to ensure they can handle the weight of vehicles.