When it comes to upgrading your home’s curb appeal and functionality, your driveway is one of the most important investments you can make. While poured concrete and asphalt have long been the go-to options, homeowners across Tennessee, from the foothills of the Smokies to the streets of Music City, are discovering the lasting value of paver driveways. Strong, beautiful, and customizable, pavers can transform the entrance to your home into something truly special.
At Puryear Farms, we specialize in both traditional and permeable paver driveways, bringing unmatched experience to homeowners and businesses across the Volunteer State.
What Makes a Paver Driveway Different?
Unlike poured concrete or asphalt, paver driveways offer flexibility and repairability. When concrete cracks (and, sorry, it will), you’re often faced with either cutting out and patching or replacing the entire slab. Pavers, on the other hand, can be repaired section by section. Settling or damage doesn’t mean starting over.
Even better, pavers give you far more aesthetic options. From timeless cobblestone to sleek modern designs, there’s a style for every home. And when installed properly, paver driveways can last 20–50 years.
Related reading: Retaining Walls in Tennessee: The Hidden Heroes of the Landscape
Strength and Durability
Wondering if paver driveways are strong enough to handle your family’s vehicles? Rest assured, they’re engineered to withstand significantly more weight than typical passenger vehicles. Unlike concrete that struggles with Tennessee’s freeze-thaw cycles, pavers naturally expand and contract with the ground, minimizing the risk of cracks.
At Puryear Farms, we also stand behind each manufacturer’s warranties, ensuring your investment is protected.
Design and Customization Options
Driveways don’t have to be boring. Pavers come in countless styles, colors, and textures.
- Trendy designs: wood-look pavers, modern shapes, bold dark tones, and reversed border styles.
- Traditional favorites: cobblestone looks reminiscent of London streets, and classic smooth-surfaced pavers.
Our hardscape design team can help match your driveway to your home’s existing architecture. We often coordinate with roof colors, shutters, and even patio tones to create a cohesive look.
Installation Process
Installing a paver driveway is more labor-intensive than pouring concrete, but the results are worth it. And in fact, most residential projects can be completed in just 3–4 days.
Factors that influence cost include:
- Size of the driveway
- Site accessibility
- Drainage and fill requirements
- Type of paver selected
And unlike concrete, we’re not limited by extreme heat or cold. Pavers can be installed nearly year-round in Tennessee.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Maintaining a paver driveway is easier than you might think.
Polymeric sand in the joints should be refreshed about every five years (after pressure washing and compacting). This specialized sand hardens when activated with water, preventing weed growth, ant colonization, and sand washout between pavers.
Individual pavers can be replaced if damaged; no need for a full redo.
Optional sealing keeps colors vibrant and resists staining.
This flexibility makes pavers one of the most homeowner-friendly driveway options available.
To Seal or Not to Seal?
Sealing your paver driveway is optional, but it does offer benefits worth considering. A quality sealant enhances color vibrancy, protects against oil and tire mark staining, and can make cleaning easier. Without sealing, pavers will naturally weather over time, meaning colors may fade slightly, and stains from automotive fluids can be harder to remove.
The tradeoff? Sealing requires reapplication every 3–5 years and adds to your upfront and ongoing costs (typically $2–4 per square foot for professional application). Many homeowners choose to seal high-visibility areas like the apron near the garage while leaving the rest natural. Either way, unsealed pavers remain structurally sound, sealing is purely about aesthetics and stain resistance.
Common Questions About Paver Driveways Performance
Can you plow and salt paver driveways?
Yes, paver driveways handle snow removal well. You can use a snowplow with a rubber or polyurethane edge to avoid catching on joints. Standard ice melt and rock salt are safe to use, though calcium-based deicers are gentler on the pavers and any surrounding landscaping. The key is proper installation. A well-compacted base prevents pavers from shifting under plow pressure.
Do pavers soften or stick to tires in summer heat?
Quality concrete pavers do not soften in the heat. Unlike asphalt, which can become pliable on extremely hot days, pavers maintain their structural integrity in Tennessee summers. You won’t experience hot tire pickup, scuffing, or tire marks from parked vehicles. This is one of the advantages pavers have over asphalt driveways.
Permeable Paver Applications
For environmentally conscious homeowners or areas with strict stormwater requirements, permeable pavers are a smart choice. Instead of polymeric sand, they use small stone aggregates between the joints, allowing water to filter naturally back into the ground.
When should you choose permeable over traditional pavers?
Permeable pavers make sense when:
- Your property has drainage challenges or standing water issues
- Local stormwater regulations require on-site water management
- You want to reduce runoff into storm drains and support groundwater recharge
- You’re building in an environmentally sensitive area or pursuing green building certifications
- Your HOA or municipality mandates permeable surfaces for new driveway construction
Traditional pavers are the better choice for most residential driveways where drainage isn’t a primary concern. They’re easier to maintain, the polymeric sand provides better weed and ant resistance, and they typically cost less to install. However, if you live on a property with poor drainage, heavy clay soils, or environmental requirements, permeable pavers can solve problems while still delivering the aesthetic and durability benefits of traditional pavers.
While permeable systems are more common in commercial projects, some homeowners choose them for eco-friendly drainage and runoff control.
Lifestyle and Home Value
A paver driveway is more than just a parking space. It’s a design feature that elevates your entire property. From the moment guests pull in, a well-designed driveway sets the tone.
Even better, pavers tie seamlessly into other outdoor elements like patios, walkways, and pool decks, creating a unified look across your landscape.
Related reading: Illuminate Your Space: Outdoor Lighting with Puryear Farms
Tennessee Considerations
Here in Tennessee, our climate poses unique challenges for driveways. Freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rains, and clay-based soils can all affect performance. Whether you’re navigating the humid summers of Memphis, the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, or the mountain winters in East Tennessee, paver driveways shine because they adapt to these conditions without cracking.
Dark tones and cobblestone textures are especially popular in our region, giving homes both modern elegance and timeless character—a combination that fits right at home whether you’re in Knoxville, Chattanooga, or the growing suburbs of Nashville.
Conclusion
Paver driveways are a long-term investment in both beauty and functionality. They outperform traditional driveways in durability, offer unmatched customization, and provide eco-friendly options for stormwater management.
Ready to transform your home’s curb appeal? Contact Puryear Farms today to schedule a consultation and explore the possibilities of a custom paver driveway built to last.