Your driveway may be one of the first things guests notice upon arriving at your home, and there’s nothing impressive about a gravel or cement entrance. Instead, use natural stone pavers to create a luxurious look and a freeze- and slip-resistant surface for your driveway.
Creating a handsome entryway
With the look of marble and the texture of stone, travertine tiles are a unique, ideal material for driveways. The wide variety of colors, finishes and sizes of tiles means that you can create any design – no matter how simple or complex.
Homeowners going for an understated look can choose a deep red or rich gray and place the tiles in a basic checkerboard design. On the other end of the spectrum, designs consisting of two or three different hues and contrasting textures look impressive, but are simple and inexpensive to install.
When choosing colors, keep in mind that light neutrals may show tire marks or oil drips more readily than darker colors.
Travertine driveways are durable
With a driveway made of natural stone pavers, you won’t need to worry about unsightly or hazardous cracks. These often occur with cement in the winter, when the ground freezes and expands. With tiles or pavers, the surface of your driveway isn’t a whole slab, so it can better move with the ground below. Check with a professional to make sure you’re using the proper adhesive when installing travertine pavers.
Also, travertine has an advantage over brick because it won’t fade as quickly, leaving you with a vibrant driveway for years to come.
The installation process isn’t difficult
Begin by measuring your driveway, both length and width, to be sure you order enough tile to cover the whole surface. Next, make sure that you have a level surface by evening out any bumps, potholes or cracks. Using a chalk line marker, divide your area into fourths, then eighths. Keep marking until you’ve outlined your desired pattern.
When you begin laying the tiles, start from the center of your area to ensure you end up with an even design. Place the tiles as closely together as possible until you reach the edges, then fill in any cracks with sand, and you’ve got a beautiful, durable new driveway.
