Choosing the right material for your driveway may not be something that you give a great deal of consideration. However, it's important to bear in mind that the type of material you choose will affect how much time and effort you need to spend on maintenance down the line, how long your driveway will last, the look and feel of the front of your property, and more.
There is a huge number of choices out there, but one particular material is becoming more and more popular: black basalt. But what exactly is black basalt, and why is it proving so popular with homeowners for driveways?
Take a look at our black basalt offering, available in quantities of 875kg upwards, and read on to learn more about why it is such a great choice for driveways.
Black basalt is a natural and sustainable volcanic rock that is quarried in the UK, as well as in a huge number of other countries across the globe. Naturally occurring, regular in colour and attractive to look at, black basalt is the first choice for many for areas like pathways, garden borders and flower bed toppers.
However, it's also a fantastic choice for driveways, for a variety of different reasons.
There are many reasons why more people than ever are choosing black basalt for their home driveways:
An important consideration when choosing your driveway material is how it feels underfoot - and under-wheel! This is one of many reasons why black basalt is such a popular choice.
Their angularity means that black basalt chippings lock together well and don't dislodge when under pressure, creating a smooth drive. This applies when you're walking to and from the car, too: you must choose a material that's comfortable to walk on, and which is unlikely to create a slip or trip hazard.
The size of our black basalt chippings is important, too. At 20mm, they are large enough that they won't get caught up in tyre treads or the soles of your shoes, making for an even more comfortable and problem-free experience.
Some people are reluctant to choose aggregate for their driveway material because of the possibility of movement. Instead, they go for slabs, bricks or tarmac: solid materials that are generally certain to remain in place, no matter how heavily the driveway is used.
It is true that some types of aggregate, when used for driveways, can shift very easily, particularly if the stones are very small, or if they are very smooth. In these situations, it can be a constant battle to keep the depth of different parts of the driveway looking equal, and there may be the fear that a stone could fly up under the pressure of the wheels and chip a window or windscreen.
Black basalt doesn't have this issue. By its nature, it is a stone with rough, rather than smooth edges, and angled shapes that interlock well to keep them in place. The 20mm size of the black basalt chippings we sell at Decorative Gardens is also large enough to reduce the likelihood of movement even further.
When you're laying a new driveway, one feature you'll want it to have is for it to be able to stand the test of time. Being a volcanic rock, black basalt is incredibly durable, meaning that it will continue to both look and perform as good as new in the years to come. What's more, it's also hardwearing, meaning that it can cope with a significant amount of usage without damage.
Whether you choose slabs or aggregate, unwanted plant growth can often be a problem when it comes to driveways. Weeds can grow up through the gaps, meaning that your driveway will need regular maintenance to keep it looking as good as new. What's more, the roots of some weeds can cause significant damage, so a lack of weeding can lead to more expensive work being needed down the line.
Moss can also cause problems, particularly for those with aggregate-based driveways. It can cover individual stones, which looks unattractive, and which can sometimes be challenging to clean properly. What's more, this moss can also be slippery, making the ground less stable underfoot.
Thanks to the ability of black basalt to block UV light from getting to the ground underneath, weed growth is far less likely to be an issue. It is also a rock that is known for its ability to resist the growth of moss, giving you a low-maintenance driveway with fewer slip hazards than other materials.
A lack of water drainage can be an issue for some driveway materials, with both rainwater and water from washing your vehicle pooling and collecting. In some cases, it can make your driveway slippery underfoot, and can also affect the quality of the materials in the longer term.
Because of the shape and size of black basalt aggregate, this isn't an issue. Water can easily trickle down through the individual stones, taking it away from the surface and keeping your driveway water-free. Providing the ground has been properly prepared before laying the black basalt, drainage issues will be a thing of the past.
One of the biggest reasons why people choose black basalt for their driveways is the way it looks. Charcoal grey when dry and jet black when wet, it's an attractive aggregate that looks incredible in a whole range of different settings. Its colour means that it gives a great look to more contemporary properties, but equally, it looks fantastic with the contrast of a traditional red brick house.
It's easy to see why black basalt is such a popular choice of driveway material for homeowners. If you're interested in experiencing these benefits for yourself, order from Decorative Gardens today.