By far one of the least common driveway types currently available, basalt is also one of the most immediately unique looking materials you can buy.
Tiles of basalt are dark, glossy and smooth. Like paver and other smooth driveway types, basalt also needs very little maintenance. A power wash is often enough to keep it smooth and clean. Even snow and dirt won’t stick to it too easily.
What’s more, basalt is highly resistant to climate, meaning that extreme cold temperatures won’t have much effect. It can heat up a lot under the direct sun, so be careful walking on it with bare feet.
The costs of basalt are the main detractor from whether or not you should buy it. Not only is the material expensive, but few companies are able to work with it so the costs of labour can also be increased.
What’s more, to install a basalt drive you also need to do a little work under the surface to give the material a stable, even base to be tiled on top of.
If you have a need for the distinct look of basalt and you can put it in your budget, it’s worth considering. For many homeowners, however, it may not be the right option.