ASPHALT DRIVEWAY - GORDON

Location: Gordon, ACT

Surface: AC10 Asphalt

Service: Driveway replacement

Scope: Removal of existing brick paver driveway · paver salvage and reuse · new DGB20 sub-base, drum rolled to depth · AC10 asphalt driveway and front path · red brick border laid from original pavers

This Gordon home had a long, curving driveway laid entirely in red brick pavers. After years of use, it had settled unevenly in places and weeds were pushing up through the joints. The owners were already refreshing the outside of the house with a new roof coating and exterior paint, and wanted the driveway to match. We replaced it with a smooth AC10 asphalt surface and kept the character of the original by reusing the best of the old pavers as a red brick border.

The brief

The owners wanted a driveway that suited the newly painted home: clean, low-maintenance and sharp from the street. They also liked the warmth the red brick gave the front of the property, and didn't want to lose it entirely. The answer was asphalt for the driving surface, framed in brick.

Starting from the ground up

A new surface is only as good as what sits under it, so the whole driveway came up. We excavated the existing pavers and their bedding sand, taking the site back to a sound base.

As the pavers came out, we sorted them. The bricks in the best condition were set aside for reuse; the rest were removed from site. It's a practical way to keep some of a home's original character, and it means less material heads to landfill.

We then laid a fresh DGB20 sub-base across the entire site and smooth drum rolled it to the correct depths. This compacted base is what carries the load and keeps the asphalt from cracking or sinking over time. It's the part of the job you never see once it's finished, and the part that matters most.

The finish: AC10 asphalt, framed in brick

With the base ready, the salvaged pavers were laid as a border along both edges of the driveway and across the street frontage. Our crew then installed a fresh AC10 asphalt driveway, including the path leading to the front porch.

AC10 is our premium asphalt: a fine, dense mix that gives a smooth, even surface and a clean, deep black finish. Against the red brick border, it gives a crisp, defined edge that follows the curve of the driveway right up to the garage.

The result

The change from the street was immediate. The new driveway lifted the whole front of the home and complemented the freshly painted roof and exterior, finishing the refresh the owners had set out to achieve. They now have a surface that's smooth underfoot, easy to keep clean, and free of the weeds and uneven pavers they had before, with the red brick still part of the picture.

Thinking about replacing an old paver driveway?

Every site is different. A free Driveway Assessment tells you what's under your existing surface, whether any materials can be reused, and which finish suits your home and budget.

FAQ

Can you reuse my existing brick pavers?

Often, yes. When we lift a paver driveway, we sort the bricks as they come up and keep the ones in good condition. They can be relaid as a border, an edge or a feature strip, which keeps some of your home's original character. How many are reusable depends on their condition, which we check at the assessment.

Why replace a brick paver driveway with asphalt?

Paver driveways look great when new, but over time they can settle unevenly, shift at the edges and let weeds grow through the joints. Asphalt gives a continuous, smooth surface that's quick to clean and doesn't need joint maintenance. A brick border keeps the look of pavers without the upkeep.