Driveway suggestions

[Heartnsoul]

I'm torn whether to do pavers, paint or river rock on driveway would love to hear pros and cons and recommendations please?

[Bjeanj]

We had ours painted with a non-skid surface, which we like. Our neighbors across the street used pavers, and some broke after several years. They then had a problem of matching the replacement pavers and they weren’t able to. Had to have a design made of coordinating pavers, which turned out to be a bit difficult. I don’t know anything about river rock.

[villagetinker]

Please do a search this has been discussed many times.

[Stu from NYC]

How much maintenance do you want to do?

[Bonanza]

If you choose to go with pavers, please do it the correct way by removing the concrete and have the pavers properly set in sand as a base. Many homeowners have the pavers installed as a veneer on top of the concrete to get away cheap! If you do it that way you will be guaranteed to have the pavers pop and become dislodged over time.

[Bogie Shooter]

Why do anything?

[Heartnsoul]

How? Where is box to type in?

[Papa_lecki]

We’ve had pavers in different hosue. Look nice, but maintenance got to be a pain. Need to re apply sand every year, weeds can get in between the cracks - and someone brought up replacing, in the event of a crack.

Here, we got our cement painted, annual maintenance is power washing and resealing (I am not convinced we need to re-seal every year).

They both look great

[tophcfa]

Why anyone would want pavers is beyond me. We watch our next door neighbors constantly trying to maintain their paver driveway. There are way too many fun things to spend our precious time doing that don’t include ongoing maintenance problems. Keep it simple.

[Laker14]

If you choose to go with pavers, please do it the correct way by removing the concrete and have the pavers properly set in sand as a base. Many homeowners have the pavers installed as a veneer on top of the concrete to get away cheap! If you do it that way you will be guaranteed to have the pavers pop and become dislodged over time.

exactly the situation we faced when we bought a pre-owned home. Many loose (thin type) pavers, and many of them broken. We have decided to go with removal of the thin pavers, some repair to underlying concrete, and will have a treatment known as "textured", which is essentially a paint with a texturing on top to make it less slick.
It will require occasional maintenance. Every few years it will need to be sealed.
Whatever you do, don't do thin pavers.

[Lottoguy]

We have a paver driveway (900sf) and we just had it surfaced washed (not power washed). This should be done every five years. We then sealed it with Eagle Supreme ($119) sealant from Lowes. It takes two five gallon drums and we apply two coats. You must wait four hours before applying the second coat. I do it myself, because I save about $350 in labor costs. It's not hard to do. Plenty of YouTube videos out there to show you the correct way. The key is not having cheap brick pavers. Get the 2 1/2 types. The paver driveway was already here when we purchased the house.

[jebartle]

Why do anything?

Only in the Villages do we fuss over driveways.

[Bjeanj]

Why do anything?

It’s a personal preference.

[Laker14]

Only in the Villages do we fuss over driveways.
that is simply not true.
It is perhaps closer to true to say "only in the Villages are so many people eager to voice their opinion on what other people wish to do with their driveways."

[jebartle]

that is simply not true.
It is perhaps closer to true to say "only in the Villages are so many people eager to voice their opinion on what other people wish to do with their driveways."

I say this, based on areas we have lived, never ever a driveway painted in NC, ever!

[Laker14]

I say this, based on areas we have lived, never ever a driveway painted in NC, ever!

that is a different statement altogether.

[Stu from NYC]

Only in the Villages do we fuss over driveways.

What is wrong to discuss the pros and cons of refinishing driveways?

[retiredguy123]

I have bare concrete. No maintenance.

[Shbullet]

There is nothing wrong with discussing this topic. Why the odd ball negative remarks? The op was just looking for opinions on which direction to go. referring to post 12

[Hape2Bhr]

There is nothing wrong with discussing this topic. Why the odd ball negative remarks? The op was just looking for opinions on which direction to go. referring to post 12

There are those amongst us who know what is best for all. :ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

[Topspinmo]

I prefer plain old concrete. After all it’s DRIVEWAY. Why anyone would put pavers down beyond me. Tonka toy goes over them cracks the bricks which in deed violation. Very few paver driveways have no cracked bricks. Then even if you replace them the color don’t match. On top of the the get moldy faster.

[Topspinmo]

I have bare concrete. No maintenance.

Not exactly no maintenance, but way less maintenance. You still have to pressure wash occasionally unless it had good seal job?

[Topspinmo]

What is wrong to discuss the pros and cons of refinishing driveways?

Nothing as long as know the costs and maintenance required.

[Topspinmo]

If you choose to go with pavers, please do it the correct way by removing the concrete and have the pavers properly set in sand as a base. Many homeowners have the pavers installed as a veneer on top of the concrete to get away cheap! If you do it that way you will be guaranteed to have the pavers pop and become dislodged over time.

Agree, but I don’t see the need to waste money, if it an’t broke don’t fix it IMO.

[Topspinmo]

Only in the Villages do we fuss over driveways.


Only is villages do we want yellow brick road for driveway.

[Stu from NYC]

Nothing as long as know the costs and maintenance required.

And that is why this is a useful discussion.

[JMintzer]

Only in the Villages do we fuss over driveways.

Wanna' bet? :icon_wink:

[Laker14]

I prefer plain old concrete. After all it’s DRIVEWAY. Why anyone would put pavers down beyond me. Tonka toy goes over them cracks the bricks which in deed violation. Very few paver driveways have no cracked bricks. Then even if you replace them the color don’t match. On top of the the get moldy faster.

There is nothing wrong with untreated concrete. I personally have come to prefer the esthetics of driveway treatments. I like the way they look. Well, most of them, anyway.

To me, to see a beautiful home, with lovely plantings, manicured lawns and stacked brick flower beds, and a big slab of concrete, I find that to my eye, it detracts from the esthetics. It's not what I want. Even though it's just a driveway. There is nothing wrong with keeping it "plain old concrete", it's just not what I want.

I am going to miss the look of my pavers, but unfortunately, they are thin and failing, so they have to go. It's going to cost me money to change it over to what I want, and money to maintain, much like my plantings and other landscape enhancements, but it's what I want.

[thevillages2013]

I'm torn whether to do pavers, paint or river rock on driveway would love to hear pros and cons and recommendations please?
To me River rock is a “big fat NO”. There is no design in it and it just looks strange in a driveway application. I have seen it a couple of times in driveways near my house and on one of them the river rock coating is coming loose and pealing where it meets the curb

[Worldseries27]

only is villages do we want yellow brick road for driveway.
i can't believe there are any opionated, narcissistic shall hal's here who would pave their driveways with golden bricks
do you?
Maybe 14 ct

[DaleDivine]

To me River rock is a “big fat NO”. There is no design in it and it just looks strange in a driveway application. I have seen it a couple of times in driveways near my house and on one of them the river rock coating is coming loose and pealing where it meets the curb

I understood river rock driveways in TV is a "big fat NO" anyway. Not allowed.
My sister and brother in law live in Virginia and houses in their neighborhood all have river rock driveways. They have been in their house for over 30 years and the driveway still looks great. I guess it depends on who puts it down whether the rocks stay in place. Oh and theirs have never been coated. Just natural.
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

[mkjelenbaas]

I'm torn whether to do pavers, paint or river rock on driveway would love to hear pros and cons and recommendations please?
Time to make a decision!

[tombpot]

Why bother then you have to maintain it

[NotGolfer]

In our neighborhood the painted drive-ways have faded. While the aesthetics of pavers or paint is nice (and expensive), we're sticking with good 'ole concrete!!

[Ski Bum]

How? Where is box to type in?

There is not a way to search from this page, the thread post. Click on the brown and green "Talk of the Villages" icon at the top. That will take you to the main page where you will find a search box.

A lot of veteran members here complain about threads that have been done extensively. Personally, it doesn't bother me. If it's a repeat, I just skip it. There are so many topics I wouldn't think to ask about.

Like the palm tree pruning thread today. Apparently, it's been done before. But we are new here and had no idea. If you want to attract and keep new members, you might need to tolerate a few repeats.

[Cincinnatus]

I have had pavers at two locations. I think they are a nightmare. I urge you to go with concrete.
Good luck on your project.

I'm torn whether to do pavers, paint or river rock on driveway would love to hear pros and cons and recommendations please?

[Carla B]

To me River rock is a “big fat NO”. There is no design in it and it just looks strange in a driveway application. I have seen it a couple of times in driveways near my house and on one of them the river rock coating is coming loose and pealing where it meets the curb

The contractor who installed river rock in this area unfortunately died in a motorcycle accident. I don't know if there are any others. We put down concrete overlay over ten years ago. It is a hassle trying to find people to repair and maintain it. They either go out of business, don't respond, or do sloppy work. So before committing to any type of driveway treatment, it'd be wise to figure out if there is a pool of contractors available to maintain it.

[chenault55]

The person asked for opinions.

[aallbrand]

Save your money they all have cons. Whats wrong with good old fashion concrete driveways. Any of the treatments create issues. If you ask 10 people who put in pavers or had coatings applied most will tell you they would not do it again.

[Lottoguy]

This is how I feel about owning a pool. Had one up north and NEVER again.

[Rainger99]

How? Where is box to type in?

This is a link to many prior discussions.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/search.php?searchid=21171554

[fingerlaker]

As many have already indicated here, I would definitely stay away from pavers, for all of the good reasons already stated.

[meme5x]

Agree about pavers..very expensive to maintain..know I overpaid to get sand fill in and sealed..

[mulligan]

If you choose to go with pavers, please do it the correct way by removing the concrete and have the pavers properly set in sand as a base. Many homeowners have the pavers installed as a veneer on top of the concrete to get away cheap! If you do it that way you will be guaranteed to have the pavers pop and become dislodged over time.

The rip out may seem right to you, but the deed restrictions say NO. You must maintain a poured concrete driveway. If you must have a paver finish, they must be the thin ones.

[butlerperkins@gmail.com]

I'm torn whether to do pavers, paint or river rock on driveway would love to hear pros and cons and recommendations please?

2022 0308 Tuesday @ 11:14
2019
When I first visited TV, I stayed with a friend in the Village of Rio Ponderosa. Often during the days (evenings), we strolled through her neighborhood. It was during those walks that the beauty of home ownership really began to settle in - the beauty of home ownership in The Villages, in Florida. The care taken for the homes and yards was startling. The variety of designs on the driveways was "icing on the cake".

I believe that you should take heed from those who mention the "restrictions" (stipulations) placed on driveways in TV, but make your home your sanctuary. I do fervently believe that creating a design on your driveway is yet another special feature about TV.

[maistocars]

How? Where is box to type in?
on green banner on top

[LianneMigiano]

Why do anything?
The driveways get pretty nasty looking from mold/dirt etc., over time. We just had ours power washed 6 months ago and it's beginning to accumulate discoloration already from the leaves that have dropped or blown over onto it - and then gotten wet. We're too old and not in shape to be out there with a blower or rake all the time. Power washing every year isn't something I could budget for on our income either.

[rogerk]

We don’t normally worry about snow removal or significant ice accumulation. This is not NC or anywhere up north; this Florida! Covering your driveway is a personal preference. In my first house I left it natural; in my second house we painted the driveway and the garage (different coating system). It makes a big difference aesthetically AND it is cleaner. No oil stains, no tire tracks, and no water stains. We track in much less dirt with the garage and driveway coated.

The lowest maintenance option was my preference. Use a stain then a paint on the driveway; a different product in the garage. We checked out several contractors work and spoke to several homeowners who used Driveways by Jay. No maintenance and no sealing needed. No need to pressure was the driveway, just a hose and a broom. I mop the garage floor with either Vinegar or Dawn Dishwashing detergent as needed. Easy peasey!

Pavers are an ongoing maintenance issue, I’m not familiar with River rock driveway coating. I’ve seen it in lanais and patios it but not on driveways.

Regardless of what you choose, get ARC approval. It will avoid any hassles down the road. Approval is quick and easy and may protect you from possibly making a mistake.

[Curtisbwp]

I like painted. Pavers Crack and break. River rock peels. Paint can be changed every few years.

[thevillages2013]

I understood river rock driveways in TV is a "big fat NO" anyway. Not allowed.
My sister and brother in law live in Virginia and houses in their neighborhood all have river rock driveways. They have been in their house for over 30 years and the driveway still looks great. I guess it depends on who puts it down whether the rocks stay in place. Oh and theirs have never been coated. Just natural.
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

Don’t think we are talking about the same thing. The river rock here is a bunch of tiny pebbles mixed in adhesive and applied to concrete

[rjm1cc]

I have had pavers for about 10 years. Properly installed and 2 1/2 thick (not 1 1/2). Not sealed. Added sand after first year only. Probably not needed. Power wash every couple of years. Not sealed. Do get a little mold. Have some chemicals to get rid of mold but have not gotten around to applying. Do get a few weeds and spray those about once or twice a year when I go around the house and do the rest of the weeds. One cracked paver. Not replaced. Have a few dozen spear from the original insulation. I like a neighborhood of pavers for looks. Guess you will have a couple of hours of work a year on maintenance.

[metoo21]

I have had pavers for about 10 years. Properly installed and 2 1/2 thick (not 1 1/2). Not sealed. Added sand after first year only. Probably not needed. Power wash every couple of years. Not sealed. Do get a little mold. Have some chemicals to get rid of mold but have not gotten around to applying. Do get a few weeds and spray those about once or twice a year when I go around the house and do the rest of the weeds. One cracked paver. Not replaced. Have a few dozen spear from the original insulation. I like a neighborhood of pavers for looks. Guess you will have a couple of hours of work a year on maintenance.

So did you remove the concrete drive and then put the pavers down?