What color is your painted driveway?
 

I'm planning on redoing my driveway and trying to choose a color. I see so many light coloured ones around TV that show dirt a lot. I'm thinking of going more for a dark grey, like asphalt, to hide the usual dark dirt that accumulates on the driveway. Has anyone else chosen a darker color? If not, do you wish you had? Pictures welcomed.

You do know, you need approval first? We submitted a drawing with colors and we’re turned down. Resubmitted and waiting.

With a clear coat dirt shouldn't be an issue.

Using color(s) from your home is safe.

Dark will be hotter and fade quicker.

Not true in all Villages but needs to check.

If I recall from previous posts, your driveway was previously finished. Please make sure the old finish is completely removed (sand blasting or grinding) before you have it refinished. failure to do this will probably result in an early failure of the new finish.

Probably true, but that brings up my dissatisfaction. We took a picture of a driveway very close to us but a different district, it was refused.

This is what we have. Doesn't really show much dirt...

Attachment 96038

dark colors will get awfully hot in the summer, and fade faster. Any reputable company will sandblast the old paint off, powerwash, and then paint with a sealcoat put on to protect it. After a couple of years, just have it power washed.

Beautiful!

Good point. Thanks

The bid I chose is only sanding the shine off the old and pressure washing. I'm a tad concerned it may be an issue, but he said it wouldn't be. I'll come back here with results and hopefully long term rating...

Light and dark gray
 

When sealed tire marks and dirt wash away with a brush and garden hose

Could you provide the information for the company that would sandblast the old finish off without putting a new finish? I have an older driveway with very faded finish that I just want removed completely. Thanks!

You also have to get the sealer refreshed every few years. Think of it as wax on your car. You have to reapply to keep the protection working. In my opinion, have a neutral color and scheme that will go with roof color and different paint colors for when you sell your house. You don’t want to turn off potential buyers from the curb. You can ask your realtor about this. Good luck.

I suggest you match the house
Ours is lighter, it doesnt show dirt. The quick afternoon rains keep it clean.
I would be concerned that darker would retain heat.

Leave your driveway original not much maintenance

Driveway
 

Of course the main criterion is that it goes with the color of your house. I can see an issue with dark colors retaining heat if you are talking about a roof, but what would be the problem with a driveway doing so? Multiple colors as opposed to a single hue would be less likely to show dirt. However, as with anything outside, there will always be some maintenance needed.

Keep it simple. Aesthetically, your driveway should not be the most important feature when looking at your house

Make sure to check out blue driveways
 

Blue drivesways - they look the worst in terms of fading...

After a few years, the finish starts to get hairline cracks and the dirt doesn’t wash off as easily. Dark colors look worse over time. My suggestion is don’t do it. I wish my driveway was never painted in the first place but at least it’s a light yellow color so doesn’t look too bad. My mothers is a darker blue/grey and looks terrible now after 12+ years!!!

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Under the heading been there done that, if (big if) the old finish is failing, then IMHO applying a new finish over the old finish is asking for trouble. I hope it works for you, but I am betting it will not, 2, 3, 4 years from now you will have a mess.

That's really nice!!

Good point. I figured grey goes with everything, and makes my house color pop.

I'm so afraid of that!!! Dang, I've already signed the contract. Fingers crossed.

i would but there are stains i just cant get rid of. the sealant jobs pictured here look lovely & clean

Do NOT do it. Dark colors absorb the sun's heat more. You WILL regret it. That is why the colors that you see locally are all light colors. In the summer or even fall and spring, a dark color driveway would be deadly for bare feet and even uncomfortable for feet in shoes. Maybe you leave Florida for the summer, but what if you wanted to rent the house? Also, what if you needed to sell it?
........Strangely, many people do NOT know this relationship between color and solar heat. Black color clothes have been popular for years. Women like that it hides some weight, but they pay for it if they are walking around on a bright, hot summer day. Anyone that touches a black automobile outside surface hit by the summer sun will feel the burn.

Light tan, most of my neighbors have the same. No problems as far as fading, or dirt...just have it sealed and all is good.

driveway
 

We have a medium gray with a darker border.

I was going to leave our newly poured cement driveway and patio as is.
Then after a year I notice new cement is very pores and lots of stains that are
hard to remove.
We had it all painted in a medium/light brown and couldn't be happier.
That was 3 years ago.
Just make sure to use some kind of grit in the sealer so it's not slippery when wet.