"I have been finishing the basement over the past couple of years and have dealt with many contractors. Larry is the best I have come across by a good measure. Prompt, communicative, helped pick out the pavers, kept me informed as the project progressed, and all at a reasonable price. I could not recommend him more."
"It went great. They showed up quicker than I could believe, got right to it, didn't mess around an did a beautiful job on that nasty, rutted rocky driveway. Great people, explained everything and didn't leave a mess."
"Valle concrete did a fantastic job pouring the concrete slab with footers for a 3 car metal garage. No issues at county inspections. The guys were all respectful of my property and I'm appreciate of their hard work. They were also very reasonably priced. Would hire again and recommend to any friend or family of mine. I also asked for them to put in a French drain around the building and they did a great job with that as well."
"Very professional and competent. Did great job for reasonable cost. On time and my driveway looks terrific. Highly recommend and hired them to replace my son’s driveway."
"Called Bent Oak only two days before the blizzard of January 2016. Phil made the effort to inspect the driveway beforehand, in order to estimate what would be needed. He was accurate in his estimate. And did excellent work -- twice because of the steady snow over the many hours."
"This was about the fourth time we have hired Chad Hurry for landscaping services. In the past, he did a curved paver sidewalk, circular large circular raised planters that coordinate with stacked stone and paver retaining walls in the front ditch and sides and back of our house, two patios on either side of the back deck, and total landscaping (with large rocks and plants) of the front yard. People have actually stopped and taken pictures of our yard. So, when we decided to add a walkway to the side of our house and remove a dying tree and re-landscape, we did not bother to call anyone else... just called Chad. Why mess with success? Chad and his assistant, Rob, were extremely easy to work with. We discussed our vision and Chad sketched out his ideas based on that... it was exactly what we were thinking. They were friendly, professional, and hard-working. The walkway they constructed exceeded our expectations... it was far sturdier than I thought it would be. They cleaned up the driveway and work area at the end of each work day and completed the entire project in 7 days... extremely reasonable. We felt the price was very reasonable as well. We have hired Chad several times and would hire him again without hesitation! "
"The process from start to finish was excellent and very easeful with Richard. He came and gave a quote promptly and explained everything about the process very thoroughly and made us feel very comfortable about the job that he was going to do. He got the job done when he said he would and it came out even better than we had imaged it could. Whetzels will be the only company we ever use for a driveway."
Several materials are suitable for steep driveways. Gravel and crushed stone are affordable options that provide good traction. Permeable pavers—such as plastic, rubber, or concrete—filled with gravel or crushed stones are also excellent, as they allow water to drain without causing erosion and perform well in ice and snow. Another option is resin, which can be coated with an anti-slip finish and helps prevent puddles. For added stability, you can install a retaining wall to prevent pavers and gravel from shifting over time.
Professionals restore the surface to a fresh, attractive finish by applying a new, even sealant layer.
While blacktop is a type of asphalt, the terms should not be used interchangeably, as not all asphalt qualifies as blacktop. The primary differences are in their composition, production process, and ideal applications. Blacktop contains more stone than other types of asphalt and is heated to a higher temperature during production—300°F or more—while hot-mix asphalt is heated to between 275°F and 300°F. The ratio of bitumen (a tar-like crude oil) is a key differentiator, though sources vary: some state blacktop has less bitumen, making it less durable, while others claim it has a higher ratio. Due to these differences, asphalt is generally more durable and better for high-traffic areas like highways and streets, while blacktop is more suitable for playgrounds and residential driveways. For a driveway project, it is best to consult a professional to determine the most appropriate material.
At a depth of two inches, a ton of asphalt covers around 80 to 100 square feet. However, the thicker the asphalt, the less surface area it will cover. That’s why measuring correctly is essential when estimating asphalt needs and costs to ensure you get enough material to cover your entire driveway, patio, or other asphalt surface.
Sometimes, when people talk about asphalt driveways, they’re actually referring to asphalt concrete, which is a completely different compound. Asphalt concrete is asphaltic cement combined with sand or grit. It is significantly more lasting and durable than regular asphalt but also much more expensive. If you’re considering using asphalt concrete, ask an asphalt company for their expert opinions.
The Stanley, VA 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.
