Questions about paved driveways

[Mosey]

I want a paved driveway, but I don't want it to be black. Can paved driveways be painted? If so, what kind of paint would I need and what would it cost?

Also, what is the purpose of "sealing" a paved driveway?

 

[Golfgar4]

Danny,

It's been awhile since I worked in the asphalt business (did it during the summers in college), but I might be able to offer a little help.

Yes, asphalt driveways can be painted. I've seen them done in <font color=green>green</font color=green> and <font color=red>red</font color=red>. I don't know if there are other colors available, but I suppose you could mix the two and get brown (?). The paint that we used back then was also a sealer, so we killed two birds with one stone. I don't know how much it cost. It just showed up on the job site and we used it. Must've been free, huh?

The most common reason people seal asphalt is to make it look pretty again. In most cases, that's black. But actually, sealing helps keep weeds from growing through cracks, etc. It also reduces (not eliminates) cracking, and will make the surface a little harder so that motorcycle and bicycle kick stands don't sink into the soft asphalt as quickly. I'm sorry, but I can't help with the cost. I do know that most of the big name hardware/home improvement stores do carry asphalt sealer, at least in black.

Remember one thing about asphalt. Unless you have some kind of border along the edges, asphalt will begin crumbling faster on the edges, even if it is sealed.

 

[DVerbarg]

Mosey,

<font color=blue>I want a paved driveway, but I don't want it to be black. Can paved driveways be painted?</font color=blue>

This is not an "asphalt driveway" product but it looks interesting. Have not tried it yet but hope to later this year. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.polypavement.com/>PolyPavement</A>

 

[tdenny]

Mosey,

I just had my driveway paved (asphalt) and I asked the guys who did it if and when I should seal it. They laughed at me and said that in the past they had offered this service and although the sealer will "paint" the surface it doesn't actually provide much other benefit. They suggested that if I really wanted to do this I should at least wait until the black has faded - so I think I'll do just that.

Here is a link to one of the manufacturers that I was looking into.

http://www.armorseal.com/

 

[hazmat]

I know it isn't asphalt, but I have seen a few concrete driveways dyed different colors. They even sculpt fake bricks or rocks into them.

Good chance that it is more $$$$ than asphalt.

 

[DVerbarg]

<font color=blue>I know it isn't asphalt, but I have seen a few concrete driveways dyed different colors. They even sculpt fake bricks or rocks into them.

Good chance that it is more $$$$ than asphalt. </font color=blue>

Uh huh, yep, gulp! Plain concrete is already at least 2 to 3 times the price of asphalt and stamped concrete is even worse (price wise) although it is rather attractive (and the CFO really, really likes it).

Have a winding stamped concrete sidewalk, really nice. Got it for a "cheap" price as a friend offered to do the work on a partial barter basis. Just cannot do enough barter to entice him to do the driveway (its only 12 ft wide and about 1400 ft long /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif)

 

[BKColeman]

I went to one of those home building shows and a company was there that had stamped and dyed asphalt, just like the concrete. They had 3 colors and 2-3 patterns on display. They even had poured an 8'x10' sample right on to the coliseum floor. I would hate to have to get that up. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif It looked good but I didn't ask about price.

 

[livincountry]

The PolyPavement sounds like a great thing. Does anyone have any experience with it? Love the fact that it is a natural color and it's a DIY project (although intense).

 

[MrP]

<font color=blue>I know it isn't asphalt, but I have seen a few concrete driveways dyed different colors. They even sculpt fake bricks or rocks into them.

Good chance that it is more $$$$ than asphalt. </font color=blue>

<font color=red>Uh huh, yep, gulp! Plain concrete is already at least 2 to 3 times the price of asphalt and stamped concrete is even worse (price wise) although it is rather attractive (and the CFO really, really likes it).</font color=red>

YEP! Last month I got a estimate to do my driveway in stamped concrete (5" thick). How much? $32,000.

FORGET IT!!!

The asphalt estimate was $8-9K.

I'm keeping my gravel.

 

[flatius]

having priced both concrete and asphalt, i decided to go with a "gravel" driveway. i just cant see paying these guys that much $$$$$ for the job.