If your driveway is ready for a facelift, why not upgrade to brick and add value to your home? You’ll be glad you did! Here are 4 ways you can boost your curb appeal with a brick driveway in Sugar Grove, IL.
1. Texture
Asphalt and poured concrete driveways are aesthetically boring. Adding the wonderful texture of brick completely transforms your driveway into a work of art. Increase the textured effect with contrasting jointing compound, and create a more subtle texture by using a tonally similar jointing compound. The texture of a brick driveway will be most evident in the low sunlight of morning and evening, as well as at night with artfully angled landscape lighting.
Some homeowners question whether the texture of a brick driveway will cause problems in winter. Damage to pavers from snowplows is always a possibility, but if you use plastic shovels and install plastic guards on a metal snow plow or snowblower blades (and let your snow removal company know that you have brick pavers) the driveway will withstand winter just fine! Of course, the driveway should be professionally installed with no protruding bricks.
2. Color
Brick is available in many more colors than simply “brick red.” You have plenty of design options with tan, chocolate, charcoal, steel blue, and of course a variety of warm reds. For example, you can mix several color batches together. This is a strikingly beautiful look that is surprisingly not as visually “busy” as you might think. It can help you match the driveway to your home. Or, you can use contrasting colors as borders or accents, or even driveway aprons.
Tip: Don’t try to match your driveway perfectly to your home’s siding, especially if your home has a brick exterior. Instead, opt for a few shades lighter or darker depending on the look you want. This is where mixing several colors can be the perfect solution.
3. Laying patterns
Whether you choose traditional brick pavers laid in a classic herringbone pattern or you opt for more modern brick pavers that come in varying sizes for a more random look, your driveway will be elevated from something purely functional into something both functional and beautiful. In regard to driveways, structural integrity is a prime concern, so avoid basket-weave patterns. Instead, choose patterns where any pressure on a particular brick will push it toward its neighbors instead of away from them: herringbone, running bond, and ashlar are designs that work well.
Since bricks are relatively small, they are perfect for creating curves and optical illusions. If your driveway features curves, laying the bricks in a traditional running bond in the direction of travel will create the look of a charming lane that winds through the countryside. When you’re using a herringbone pattern, align the “arrows” in the direction of travel (toward and away from the driveway) for the most aesthetically pleasing look. To make a very wide driveway feel less monolithic, align the bricks in the direction of travel. To make a narrow driveway appear wider, lay the bricks perpendicular to the direction of travel.
Related: BRICK PAVING LAYING PATTERNS FOR YOUR SUGAR GROVE, IL DRIVEWAY
4. Artistic Expression
The small dimensions of most brick pavers make them ideal for artistic expression. A circular inlay, a wagon wheel banding, a subtle or dramatic border, a driveway apron, or even your family initials, are ways to personalize a driveway and make it an eye-catching focal point in your landscaping.
A brick driveway gives your home instant curb appeal. An upscale and sophisticated look allows for unlimited artistic expression. If your aging driveway is in need of a makeover, consider the timeless appeal of brick!
Related: 5 BEAUTIFUL BRICK DRIVEWAY IDEAS FOR YOUR BURR RIDGE, IL, HOME
Image Source: Unilock
