Fredericton experiences a humid continental climate with warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. As the capital city of New Brunswick, Fredericton sees an average annual snowfall of 236.9 cm and over 100 rainfall days each year. With these varied weather conditions, it’s important to choose durable driveway materials that can withstand the elements and freeze-thaw cycles.
As experienced hardscape contractors serving Fredericton, we are confident that paver driveways can be successfully installed here. In this article, we will explore how paver driveways are a suitable option for Fredericton’s climate. We will review the city typical seasonal weather patterns and discuss the attributes of paver driveways. By examining the installation benefits and potential challenges, our goal is to help homeowners understand how pavers can deliver a durable, long-lasting driveway solution based on our proven experience successfully completing these projects locally. Homeowners choosing pavers can be assured of a driveway that will withstand our region’s varied conditions for long time.
Fredericton experiences four very distinct seasons throughout the year. The winters are cold with average January temperatures below freezing at -7.6°C. Significant snowfall is common from December to March, with over 75% of the annual snow accumulating during these months. The ground freezes, and freeze-thaw cycles cause potholes on exposed road surfaces.
Summers are warm and humid with average July temperatures of 20.7°C. Over 30% of Fredericton’s annual rainfall of 1,136 mm occurs during this season. Heavy summer downpours can flood low-lying areas if drainage is inadequate.
Spring and fall bring variable weather conditions as temperatures transition between seasons. Rapid melting of accumulated snow runoff during spring sometimes causes localized flooding.
A driveway is constructed using interlocking concrete pavers. These are small rectangular or square concrete blocks or stones that are dry-laid (without mortar) and interlock to provide a durable, permeable surface.
Common types of pavers used in driveways include concrete, clay, and natural stone pavers like granite. They are an aesthetic alternative to asphalt or plain concrete. Properly installed and maintained paver driveways can last 50 years or longer.
One major advantage of paver driveways is their superior durability against freeze-thaw cycles compared to other surfaces like asphalt or bare concrete. Being an interlocking system, the individual pavers are able to expand and contract independently as temperatures change without causing cracks to form. This movement during winter thaws protects the structural integrity of the base layer underneath. Their durability means a paver driveway should outlast other options by decades in Fredericton’s climate.
Not only do pavers allow water to permeate rather than pool on the surface, but they provide effective drainage even during periods of high water volume. The open spaces between each paver function like miniature streams to channel rainwater, spring meltwater, and summertime downpours safely into surrounding soils or the existing drainage system. This permeability prevents hazardous flooding and icing conditions that can occur with non-porous asphalt when heavy precipitation exceeds the runoff capacity. With Fredericton’s annual rainfall and substantial snowpack, the drainage quality of a paver driveway is valuable.
The modular structure of a paver driveway creates a resilient, flexible surface that is highly resistant to damage from winter weather hazards. Each individual unit can better withstand impacts from snow plow blades and occasional scrapes compared to a monolithic asphalt surface. Should any single paver become cracked or degraded from years of exposure to de-icing chemicals, only that minimal section needs replacement versus the cost to resurface an entire cracked asphalt area.
Beyond withstanding weathering, paver driveways offer flexibility in both their original design and future repairs. Property owners have many aesthetic paver options and laying patterns to create a uniquely customized driveway. Later, adaptability for repairs is valued – whether it’s altering the layout, replacing a few units that settle over time, or addressing isolated damage.
As one of the most experienced paver installation contractors in Fredericton, Atlantic Brick and Stone has been helping residential and commercial clients to enhance their properties with durable, attractive pavers for over 15 years.
Whether you’re interested in a new paver driveway, walkway, or patio, Atlantic Brick and Stone has the expertise to complete your project to the highest standards. As an industry leader, we offer a full suite of hardscaping services including paver installation for driveways, patios, and walkways.
Our team’s extensive training and specialized equipment ensure your project will be professionally designed, precisely laid, and last for decades. Contact us to discuss how we can help bring your hardscaping vision to reality.
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