The Citizen, 2009-10-15, Page 21Many homeowners overlook the
design impact that a driveway can
have on their home. An unsightly
driveway can impact curb appeal,
but a decorative one can enhance the
look of the property and home.
For homeowners looking to either
lay a new driveway in their brand-
new home or replace an old
driveway to give the exterior of their
house a new look, the following
materials are among the many that
can now be used for the purpose of
driveways.
* Asphalt:Asphalt driveways are
the most common, thanks in large
part to their cost effectiveness and
minimal maintenance requirements.
Due to that popularity, contractors
can easily install an asphalt
driveway.
A mixture of tar, gravel and
concrete, asphalt attracts heat,
making it very hot in warmer
months, something parents of young
children who frequently play
outdoors might want to think about.
Another disadvantage to asphalt
driveways is that they’re oil-based
and as a result flexible, making them
vulnerable to cracking.
* Concrete:Concrete is another
very popular choice for driveways,
and one that allows for more
creativity than asphalt. Whereas
asphalt driveways are limited to a
blue or black hue, concrete
driveways can be customized to
almost any colour you prefer. In
addition, concrete driveways can
feature stenciled designs, essentially
making your driveway similar to an
artist’s canvas, albeit one that will
require frequent sealing.
Though concrete driveways are
tough and weather-resistant, they
can stain rather easily and have
traditionally proven difficult to
clean. Such problems, however,
might be worth it for those who
prefer a more individual driveway.
* Gravel or pebble:For those
who enjoy driveways that remind
them of historical times when horses
pulled carriages up the driveways of
estates, gravel or pebble is the choice
for you. Among the more
understated and elegant options,
gravel or pebble driveways are also
cost-effective and durable, in
addition to requiring little
maintenance.
One of the chief concerns when
going with a gravel driveway is
washout, where a heavy rainstorm
could wash away all of a driveway’s
stones. This concern can be easily
quelled, however, by edging in the
driveway with scoria rock, bluestone
or a hard timber that will keep the
gravel or pebbles from washing
away. A more legitimate concern is
the potential for driveways to turn
muddy, a common problem for
gravel driveways containing clay.
* Cobblestone or bluestone:
Though these materials are eco-
friendly, they’re not wallet-friendly.
Along with that, they can be a
handful to maintain, as they’re prone
to weeds and often require resealing.
Another common problem is loose
stones, which need to be replaced.
While they can be problematic,
they’re among the more aesthetically
appealing options, often looking
exceptionally beautiful when set
alongside a yard’s natural landscape.
Smaller driveways are good for these
materials, as you’ll spend less and
you won’t expend so much energy
with maintenance.
* Brick:Brick driveways can be a
sight for sore eyes. Those who have
opted for brick driveways have
traditionally found that their
driveways have become a feature of
their home. The downside, however,
is cost, as brick driveways can be
pricey to install, a large part of
which is thanks to labour costs.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009. PAGE 21.
Continued from page 20
room’s ambiance as well. For
instance, lighter colours make a
room seem larger, while darker
colours do the opposite. Though
darker colours can tighten up a
room, it’s best to avoid going
entirely with dark colours. Doing so
can actually give the room a
negative, suffocating vibe. Balance
the colours as much as possible to
ensure spending time there is
enjoyable and comfortable.
* Practise proper papering. Just
like the colour of furniture and paint
contribute to how a large room
feels, the wallpaper can as well.
Larger rooms should not have
wallpaper with stripes, be they
horizontal or vertical stripes. That
only makes a room seem longer.
Wallpaper with tiny little patterns
should be avoided as well. Chances
are, such patterns in a large room
will make things difficult on your
eyes when sitting in the room for an
extended period of time.
There are decorative options for driveways
Balance
light and
dark in
room
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