Question 1

What other driveway materials can I choose for my driveway?

Accepted Answer

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Cobblestone is just one of many driveway materials. Other, more economical, albeit less elaborate options include concrete, asphalt, and gravel.

If you want a material that most closely resembles cobblestone, your best option is bricks or pavers. Both cost anywhere from $10 to $50 per square foot and can be laid in all kinds of patterns. Depending on the type of paver you choose, you can also get a good bang for your buck by investing in durable natural stone.

Question 2

How long does it take to build a driveway?

Accepted Answer

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While the specific timeline for building a driveway can vary based on driveway length and local weather conditions, the average concrete driveway can require several days to lay down all of the different parts of the driveway. The curing process may require you to avoid using your driveway for a week following construction. Heavier vehicles should be kept off of a new concrete driveway for several weeks. Building a gravel driveway may take just one to two days in total.

Question 3

Is it better to remove a concrete slab before laying pavers?

Accepted Answer

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It’s far more labor-intensive and expensive to demolish a concrete slab before laying down pavers. You’ll need a professional to break up and haul away the concrete, excavate underneath, bring in paver base or crushed gravel, and then level the area with leveling sand before laying the pavers. A new paver patio will cost around $1,000 to $2,000, which is more than laying pavers over a concrete patio, and takes longer to complete.

Question 4

How do I fix pavers that are uneven but not sunken?

Accepted Answer

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If pavers are uneven but not sunken, lift the affected bricks and check the bedding sand underneath. In many cases, simply smoothing out or adjusting the sand is enough to level them. Add or remove small amounts as needed, then press the pavers back into place and tap them with a mallet until they sit evenly with the surrounding surface.

Question 5

How long does a cobblestone driveway last?

Accepted Answer

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If you care for and maintain your cobblestone driveway, it may last for several centuries. So, while cobblestone driveways have a high upfront price tag, you’re unlikely to need to replace it throughout your lifetime. This gives cobblestone driveways a major advantage over other driveways, which tend to have much shorter life spans.

For example, asphalt driveways last between 15 and 30 years, while concrete driveways last around 50 years.