The Top 5 Benefits of Driveways
Having access to a driveway at a property is often a big plus for homeowners and potential buyers.
According to data from the RAC Foundation, over 77% of households in the UK own a car – so it’s no surprise that people will want a place to park them when not in use.
A driveway acts as a private space at the front of a property where people can park their vehicle, and as well as acting as a convenient storage space there are a whole host of other reasons why driveways are worthwhile.
In this blog, the team here at R&J Landscapes (London) has put together the top five benefits of a driveway that you need to know.
Ease of access
As mentioned above, convenience and ease of access are among the biggest benefits of having a driveway.
With so many people in the UK owning a car, parking at street level can be difficult and frustrating if you’re unable to find a spot. And despite what some people may think, homeowners have no legal right to park on the road directly outside of their homes. As a public road, everyone has a legitimate right to park there.
With this in mind, having your own space to park is a huge relief after you return home from a long day at work. Having a driveway also makes it easier to unload your vehicle if you’ve been grocery shopping and gives you more space if you want to clean your car’s interior.
This ease of access makes all of your day-to-day activities far easier.
Safety
Having a driveway is also far safer, especially if you live on a busy street. Getting in and out of your vehicle while having to contend with oncoming traffic can be a hazard, particularly if you have young children.
Conversely, having a driveway means you won’t have to worry about this, and you and your family will be able to get in and out of the vehicle safely every time.
Not only can parking on the road be dangerous for you and your family, but it also puts the vehicle itself at risk. It’s far easier for any moving vehicle to clip your car when it’s kept on the street, and you could find it becomes damaged more frequently.
Plus, cars that are kept on the street are more likely to be stolen or broken into by thieves.
Increased property value
As previously mentioned, properties with driveways are more attractive to prospective buyers.
When a house is valued, features such as gardens, patios and driveways all play their part in an overall valuation – especially if they’re kept in a good condition.
As well as helping to potentially increase its value, they can also speed up a sale due to driveways being such a ‘must-have’ feature.
So, if you’re looking to sell your property – now or in the future – and are considering ways to get some extra money for it, having a driveway installed may be something you should consider.
Cheaper car insurance
In addition to increasing the value of a property, having a driveway installed can also lower your car insurance.
This is due to driveways being considered a safer place to store a vehicle than on the road, so insurance companies will be more likely to offer cheaper prices.
Low maintenance
Some homeowners opt for grass or plants at the front of their home. And while this can be aesthetically pleasing and provide a pleasant space for people to enjoy, a grassed area requires frequent care and attention.
This is not the case with a driveway which is famously low maintenance. Instead of frequent mowing, trimming and cutting that is needed with grass, an aggregate or resin driveway requires little maintenance. Other than mopping up the odd oil stain from your vehicle, there really is very little you’ll need to do.
At R&J Landscapes (London), we even provide our clients with permeable driveways that ensure water drains naturally and isn’t left standing on your driveway.
When to install a driveway
If you’re considering having a driveway installed at your property, then R&J Landscapes (London) is here to help with a range of driveway services.
We can also advise on the best time to install a driveway. Pleasant, dry weather is the most suitable for driveway installation, and due to the fact it can typically take 48 hours for the job to be finished, the spring or summer months are generally considered to be preferable. Despite this, our experts are able to carry out the work whenever is most suitable for you.
At R&J Landscapes (London), we’re hugely experienced when it comes to providing leading driveway services to customers in Watford, Harrow and the surrounding areas. From advising on driveway ideas to carrying out the installation to the highest possible level, we’ll tailor our offering specifically to your needs. To find out more, get in touch with our team today.
