"Nick and his crew did a great job. In just four days, we had a brand new beautiful driveway and front porch. Our driveway is very steep and Nick designed it with grooves that will greatly help with traction during the winter. We've had numerous compliments since the installation was complete. We would not hesitate to recommend Nick Scotti Concrete Contractor."
"Cullen and his team were total pros and did a fantastic job from planning to pricing to construction. I’d hire him again and would recommend him for any retaining wall/patio/driveway/landscaping work."
"We needed as asphalt apron added to our driving after having the concrete driveway installed and not being level with the road. Our vehicles would scrape upon entering the driveway every time. We called around and had a hard time finding anyone to take this job. P&M took the job and not only fixed the transition from the road to the driveway, but also paved to the drainage inlet to stop the pooling of water at the bottom of the driveway."
"Lou and his crew were great. Knowledgeable, easy to work with and quality. Lou came out measured everything up and gave me a quote over the phone later that day. Got me in the schedule and we coordinated around his other projects. Removed old asphalt driveway and installed new concrete slab in 3 days. Would hire Goodfellas again and recommend."
"Rowdy Williams and crew were fantastic. Rowdy himself always answered the phone. There was a lot of grading on this job, including a compound drainage path, which Rowdy designed. They team worked fast and produced a great looking driveway. They did the job the day after I signed the work order. The price was very, very good. Finally, this is a family operation. I could not have been more pleased."
Proudly veteran owned/operated landscaping and home helping contractor. If they won’t do it, I will!\n\nMy mission is to help your home/commercial landscape visions, dreams, and happiness come true.\n\nServing the greater Pittsburgh area.\n\nSpecializing in residential landscaping and home repairs.\n\nGood honest work, for a very fair price!
"Brandon and his team showed up day to start the work a few days before I asked them to begin which was a plus because our concrete church ramp needed repaired soon for safety reasons. The work was completed with professionalism and did not interfere with our church services. Brandon was also easy to contact and returned calls and text messages in a timely manner"
The answer to whether or not you need to get a permit before you start your driveway can vary widely based on local ordinances and the scope of your driveway ideas. In most urban and suburban areas, a permit is needed before building a new driveway to ensure that a homeowner is using safe materials and proper drainage practices while designing and constructing a new driveway. In some rural areas, a homeowner may not be required to apply for a permit. When building a new driveway on your own, always check with your local building department to see if you need to request a permit. When hiring a driveway contractor, verify that the right permits are being used before driveway construction begins.
If you’re looking for a similar, eco-friendly driveway material, you might consider one of these options:
Permeable pavement: This material is sometimes called “pervious” or “porous” pavement; it allows stormwater to drain into the subbase, eliminating storm drain costs.
Gravel: Consider paving your driveway with locally sourced gravel. By sourcing from a nearby source, your money won’t fund international shipping and will be invested back into your local community.
Natural stone pavers: Because natural stone pavers are made from organically-produced stone, there’s no new manufacturing required, limiting the environmental impact. In addition, water easily flows and drains through the gaps in the pavers.
Like all driveway materials, asphalt can crack in the wrong conditions and with age. Many things can cause asphalt to crack, including shifting soil or settling under the foundation. Other common causes are driving oversized vehicles on the asphalt, tree roots, and using rock salt during the snowy season. Proper installation and sealing the driveway every 10 years can help prevent cracks.
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.
An ideal driveway gradient is between 2% and 5%. Anything lower than 1% or higher than 15% can cause problems for your car or property. A driveway with less than a 1% slope increases your likelihood of flooding and water damage, while a driveway with a 15% grade or higher can be too steep for safe traveling.
The Etna, PA homeowners’ guide to asphalt driveway services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Adding a new asphalt driveway to your home can boost its overall appearance and give homeowners a nice ROI down the line. But how long do asphalt driveways last, and what can you do to maximize their lifespans? Read this guide to find out.
