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Paving is a part of hardscaping, so all paving is hardscaping, but not all hardscaping is paving. Paving involves laying down concrete or asphalt, while hardscaping can also include the use of paving stones, bricks, gravel, wood, and more. Hardscape features that involve paving are considered permanent and will increase your property taxes, while some other hardscaping features—like those involving bricks, gravel, and paving stones—will not affect property taxes. Paving also typically requires a permit, while hardscaping features considered temporary will not.

There’s no single best asphalt grade—it all comes down to where and how it’s used. Highways and heavy-traffic roads need something tough, like polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) or Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA). Local roads and parking lots rely on the Performance Graded (PG) system, chosen based on climate. A PG 64-28 mix, for example, handles a broad temperature range while simpler, more cost-effective mixes are typically enough for residential driveways. The best grade of asphalt depends on traffic, weather, and your budget, which is why a professional’s input is always a smart move before making a decision.

Whether you should resurface or replace your asphalt driveway heavily depends on its condition. If the foundation is solid and the damage is minor, resurfacing is your best bet because it’s more affordable and faster than replacing the driveway. But if your driveway has foundational problems and/or severe damage, like large, deep cracks and potholes, then it makes more sense to replace it. 

While it may be less expensive initially to lay concrete vs. pavers, the long-term expenses that come with repairing concrete may prove to be less cost-friendly than simply replacing a few damaged pavers. On top of that, stamped concrete may only last for 25 years compared to pavers, which can last over 50 years.