Driveways are the private paths that lead to your garage or home from a public road. Some driveways split to lead to more than one garage, possibly owned by different people. The major advantage of a driveway is in terms of a safety measure, as well as an important home improvement measure. It adds value to a home when there is a well-designed driveway leading up to the property. Residential driveways are often used to park the vehicle, washing and repairing the vehicle, basketball practice, garage sales etc.

Driveways can be made out of granite, concrete, cobblestone, asphalt, brick, etc. Private driveways can be decorative, with grass and various materials forming a pattern. In fact you can transform your regular concrete into a beautiful one through engraving and driveway acid staining, so much so, you can come up with a variety of looks to match your home exterior. Old driveways, roads and airport fields have asphalt driveway paving, which is done by laying asphalt concrete on the concrete. Asphalt driveways repair worn out concrete surfaces and protect them. An asphalt driveway is safe from cracking and makes clearing out snow easy. Compared to concrete driveways, asphalt is cheaper and can be re-laid.

Back in 1894, the first-ever concrete pavement was laid in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Concrete driveways can be done through contractors who pour ready mixed concrete. The necessary permits have to be obtained before this is done. Among driveways, asphalt and concrete are the most popular. For people who live in cold climates, concrete driveways are poured over gravel driveways to avoid cracking during frost. Salt also affects concrete. For hot climates, asphalt can melt in the hot sun and develop tire marks. But proper maintenance can make them last long.

Driveway drainage is a major factor in making your driveway last a long time. Drainage is important to prevent puddles of water forming and seeping into your driveway paving. For a gravel driveway, driveway drainage is done with a French drain. This involves digging a trench along the width of the driveway and sloping it off towards a ditch to the side.

Driveways alert alarms are a necessity as a security measure that help you know whether someone is in your backyard or driveway – these can be voice alerts. Driveway alarms are also available with driveway sensors. You get driveway alarm security and driveway monitors that include a driveway motion sensor and receiver. These are easy to install and you can get a wireless driveway monitor that can help you monitor activity even when you are away elsewhere.