The Pros and Cons of Concrete Driveways

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Concrete Home Driveway

Would you like a home driveway that adds value to your property, only requires minimal maintenance, and can last for up to 50 years? If so, a concrete driveway may be exactly what you need. Concrete is a popular material choice for homeowners redoing their driveways. However, it’s important to know the pros and cons of using this material in order to make an informed decision.

What are the Advantages of a Concrete Driveway?

Concrete significantly boosts your home’s curb appeal. Its clean, sleek appearance is ideal for any modern, contemporary, transitional, or even colonial home. At the same time, concrete companies can add some flair to a concrete driveway in a number of ways. You can have it stamped, stenciled, colored, or engraved. You can add decorative edging or even cut patterns into the concrete. Additionally, concrete is strong enough to handle any load. If you use High Early strengthened concrete, it will harden right away, which means you’ll be able to use your driveway in less than a day after the concrete has been poured.

Concrete can also hold up well in inclement weather. It releases heat slowly, which means your driveway won’t heat up during the hot summer months. Concrete can also handle cold winter weather. Ice and road salts won’t damage it if you seal the driveway in the fall. You only need to seal the driveway once a year.

Keeping your concrete driveway looking good isn’t a problem. Dirt and debris won’t damage the driveway but an occasional scrub with an old, stiff broom and a hose will improve its appearance.

What are the Disadvantages of a Concrete Driveway?

Concrete, like all other material options, has a few disadvantages. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the price. It’s a great long-term investment if you own a home that’s in a mid-to-high price range, as a concrete driveway can boost your home’s value by up to 10%. However, the initial price tag can put a concrete driveway out of reach for many homeowners.

Another problem with concrete driveways is that oil and fluid from leaky vehicles can stain the concrete. You can remove these stains with the right tools, but it’s not easy to do so. Furthermore, you’ll need to make sure the company putting in your new concrete driveway has a reputation for doing the job right. If the sub-base isn’t right or the concrete is low quality, your driveway may crack over time. Cracks in a concrete driveway can only be fixed by replacing the entire section of the driveway.

Why Superior Aggregates and Paving?

Superior Aggregates Inc. specializes in concrete driveways for homes and businesses. We serve the Broomfield, Longmont, and Boulder, CO areas, offering top-tier work at the best possible price. Our close attention to detail ensures the job will meet or even exceed your expectations. All projects use Colorado DoT-specified concrete mix. We pay close attention to your safety to prevent damage during the work process, and we immediately remove debris from the worksite as soon as we’re done. If you are interested in a concrete driving that looks good and can hold up to extensive wear and tear, get in touch with us to learn more about our services or to schedule an anointment for a free estimate.

(Repost August 30, 2023)

Do I need a Mill and Overlay?

7 Signs You Need a Mill and Overlay

When it comes to private road construction, something like an asphalt driveway is an investment – and it’s one that should always be protected. That includes paying attention to certain warning signs that indicate a mill and overlay would be highly recommended for not only your driveway, but for also sidewalks and other private roads you may be dealing with.

Asphalt Chipping

One of the most immediate signs that you need a mill and overlay comes by way of any asphalt chipping that you may be experiencing. This is most commonly caused by structural stress and a mill and overlay can help cut down on this a great deal.

Large and Deep Cracks

Large and deep cracks are similar warning sign in that they are caused by overloading thin driveways, sidewalks, or private roads. Note that these cracks will need to be properly repaired prior to the mill and the overlay being added.

Numerous Small Cracks

Numerous small cracks are usually caused by weaker base materials. However, excessive stress and even poor drainage can also exacerbate the issue significantly.

Large Potholes

If water is allowed to seep into any of those aforementioned cracks that you’re seeing with your driveway, sidewalk, or private road, it is highly likely that you’ll be looking at potholes in your future. That water then freezes and expands and when it thaws, it causes those cracks to turn into potholes. Luckily, a mill and overlay can help with all of this.

Numerous Pockmarks

One clear warning sign that you need a mill and overlay has to do with numerous pockmarks forming over a (relatively) short period of time. This, too, is usually caused by one of a few unfortunately common reasons – like a lack of repairs, maintenance and general upkeep over the years, weak materials used in the subgrade, and poor construction overall. These pockmarks will likely continue to worsen and form full-fledged potholes if they aren’t addressed as soon as possible.

Faded Color

Obviously, an asphalt road, pathway, or driveway is going to be exposed to the elements constantly. As time marches on, and it sees a constant exposure to not only the sun and heat but also rain, wind, and even snow in some parts of the country, the asphalt coating will slowly begin to degrade. That will not only leave your asphalt more susceptible to normal wear and tear like cracking, but it will also cause it to fade in color far easier, too.

Widespread Oil Staining

Let’s face facts – sometimes, your car leaks oil or other types of chemicals. But if you don’t clean up those spills right away, a number of bad things can happen. For starters, that stain will become harder and harder to clean – creating an unsightly appearance. But also, that oil can seep further into the asphalt and cause additional damage like cracking. A mill and overlay can help take care of all this and more.

If you’d like to find out more information about the signs to watch out for to let you know that you might need a mill and overlay, or if you just have any additional questions about things like private road construction that you’d like to go over in more detail, please don’t delay – contact us today. Check out

(Repost March 31st, 2023)

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Why Choose Superior? For Your Asphalt or Concrete Project

With over 31 years of expertise, Superior Aggregates provides you with dependable, quality service. We are Superior because we:

  1. Are confident;
  2. Work with you in defining your project needs;
  3. Perform in a timely manner;
  4. Get the job done right;
  5. Charge a reasonable amount;

Established in 1986, we serve the Boulder-Longmont and surrounding communities specializing in all aspects of asphalt installations and repairs along with concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway, and flatwork services for private and commercial projects.  Our management and staff are reputable people with an abundance of expertise and confidence providing reliable, knowledgeable, and top-notch workmanship; completing your project in the most efficient and timely manner.

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