When it comes to the all-important curb appeal, there are few elements as important as your driveway. If a driveway is out of sorts, sprouting weeds, and looking a little tired, the entire exterior facade of a property will always be compromised.

So, driveways are essential, but installing a completely new driveway is often an expense that most homeowners cannot justify. There is some merit to this concern, too; block paving, for example, can be ruinously expensive. However, the good news is that driveways do not have to be a huge expense; there are plenty of affordable options available, with the following particularly worthy of further examination…

Gravel driveways

In terms of affordability, a gravel driveway is by far the best choice - gravel is relatively inexpensive anyway, and you can cut costs even further by buying in bulk. In terms of actually laying the driveway, gravel is also the best choice too; most experienced DIYers should be able to lay the basic sub-base and then rake the gravel on top. As a result, you can save a small fortune on labour costs by choosing to create a gravel driveway yourself rather than hiring professionals to complete the work.

It’s also worth noting that gravel driveways genuinely look fantastic. There are a variety of different types of gravel available in a range of different colours, so you can be sure of a great finish that genuinely complements the exterior of your home. In addition, when the driveway is in place, you should find it easy to live with and relatively maintenance free; you may need to add extra gravel every once in a while due to standard wastage, but this aside, you should find the driveway lasts for many years to come.

Concrete

Many homeowners shy away from concrete and, realistically, it’s easy enough to see why this would be the case. Concrete is not the most attractive of materials; its natural dull grey finish tends to look as if it is dirty even when it’s freshly laid, and weeds will happily sprout between any cracks in the material.

However, as a robust choice that produces a completely flattened area suitable for parking cars on, there is an argument for concrete. However, you may need to add to your budget to improve the overall look of the driveway; ornaments, edging, shrubs, and even concrete paint are all options that can help transform a standard flat piece of concrete into something a little more visually appealing.

Are there any other options?

Unfortunately, if affordability is the primary concern when choosing a driveway, it really is best to choose from one of the two options mentioned above. Other options, such as tarmac or the aforementioned block paving, are expensive both in terms of materials and labour costs, so they can’t reasonably be considered to be ‘affordable’.

In conclusion

If you’re looking for an affordable driveway that you can install yourself, then gravel is by far your best choice. While concrete can also work as an affordable driveway option, it is incapable of matching the ease, usability, and aesthetic appeal that gravel is able to provide.