Alternatives to Blacktop Paving

• Bricks, cobblestones and other stone pavers are alternatives to blacktop paving. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Blacktop or asphalt concrete is a mixture of stone aggregate and liquid asphalt used in paving surfaces such as roads and driveways. Blacktop paving is not your only option when paving your driveway. You can choose from a variety of paving materials that will enhance the value and beauty of your property. Paving materials are typically divided into three classes: pavers, aggregate and solid.

Pavers

• Pavers include cobblestones, concrete blocks or bricks. They come in a variety of surface finishes and can range in shape and size from small rectangular bricks to large hexagonal pavers. Using pavers in a loose configuration helps the absorption of water, decreases storm water runoff and provides a cost-effective alternative to blacktop paving. If laid properly, blocks and bricks can form a seamless surface that won't impede snow removal. Pavers are durable, and repair as simple as individual units can be replaced. Cobblestones are the most expensive of the paver options and form an uneven surface that makes snow removal difficult.

Aggregate

• An aggregate driveway can be made of a variety of materials, including gravel, crushed rock and seashells. This type of driveway option is more likely seen in rural areas. Obviously, water drains readily through this material. This alternative to blacktop tends to be less expensive, requires less maintenance and fewer repairs as there is no paved surface to break. As well, aggregate driveways are generally less expensive than many other paving options.

Other Alternatives

• Environmentally sustainable surfaces, as well as hybrid mixes of aggregate and asphalt, are other paving options. Hybrid alternatives include chip-and-tar and pine resin pavement. A chip and tar driveway is one where crushed stone or other aggregate is pressed into an asphalt surface. Pine resin pavement is a combination of regular aggregate or crushed rock sealed with pitch and resin from pine trees. Even though the surface of these chip-and-tar-type paving options is smooth, snow removal may be an issue. Environmentally sustainable paving options are also available, including green asphalt and other permeable paving solutions. Solutions such as EcoGrid and Grassy Pavers feature a grid system that can be filled with noncompacting aggregate or seeded with grass.