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7 BENEFITS OF INSTALLING CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS

Many homeowners and business owners ask, “which driveway material is best”. The choices include brick, asphalt, pavers, gravel, or a concrete driveway. But, when you ask any driveway contractor, they will tell you that a concrete driveway is the best material, by far.

Pavers, gravel, and brick have the problem of sinking into the soil, causing an uneven and bumpy driveway. You can also weed growth in the joints along with trip and fall hazards. Asphalt driveways have a much shorter life span when compared to a concrete driveway. The problems with asphalt driveways include crumbling, dips and upheavals, along with a lot of cracking on the surface and edges.

A professional concrete contractor is expert at choosing the right concrete mix, will determine the appropriate driveway thickness, and install rebar if necessary to provide additional structural and weight capacity for your driveway.

7 Concrete Driveway Benefits

1. Long-lasting driveway surface

A concrete driveway installed by a concrete contractor can last 25 to 30 years. With little maintenance and in moderate climates, you can expect your concrete driveway to outlast all other materials that are available.

2. Easier to maintain

Concrete driveways are low maintenance surfaces. If the driveway is exposed to harsh weather or heavy traffic, then re-sealing the concrete surface more often to maintain its pristine condition.

3. Holds up better to heat and light

Asphalt driveways react badly to both heat and light. Yet, concrete is almost impervious to UV radiation or high summer temperatures. A concrete driveway is the preferred material for warmer climates because it can withstand exposure to direct sunlight and heat without deterioration.

4. Better load-bearing capacity

If you park multiple cars or heavy vehicles like SUVs or pickup trucks in your driveway, then concrete is the best material to bear up under heavy weight. This is because concrete is a non-flexible material that will not dip or buckle due to weight concerns.

5. Environmentally-friendly material

Concrete is made of cement, sand, and gravel, while asphalt is a mixture of high-VOC (volatile organic compound), petroleum-based materials that will constantly release harmful fumes into the atmosphere and the soil. Concrete is considered a sustainable building material because almost 100% of it can be recycled.

6. Sell your property faster

A concrete driveway can increase the value of your home by up to 10% when you decide to sell. Also, home buyers look for a driveway that has been installed by a concrete contractorbecause they know it will last longer, with little or no maintenance.

7. Easier to remove ice and snow

Because concrete driveways will not dip or bulge when installed and maintained properly, it will be easier to shovel or run a snow blower across. Also, there are good ice melt options available that will not corrode or deteriorate your concrete driveway surface.

If you want a driveway that features a bright, professional appearance without messy surface issues, then concrete is the better choice when compared to asphalt, brick, pavers, gravel, or other materials. Also, today’s concrete contractor can create a unique, custom driveway for your home.

Stamped concrete, border details, and a wider variety of concrete stains can add personality and pizzazz to your home.

To learn more about how a modern concrete driveway can increase the value of your home and reduce your outdoor maintenance, talk with a concrete contractor, today!

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Advantages of a Concrete Driveway

There are many types of driveways, from gravel to cobblestone and even asphalt. However, concrete driveways are the most popular, and for good reason. Concrete driveways offer numerous benefits that other types of driveways can’t match. They are low maintenance, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to customize. As long as you have a reputable concrete company do your driveway, you will be happy with the results. Read on to learn more about the advantages of concrete driveways.

Concrete Driveways are Low Maintenance

One of the biggest benefits of concrete driveways is that they require little maintenance. A driveway that has been properly poured and sealed will last for years with almost no maintenance. The only concrete maintenance that you will have to do is to wash it off on occasion.

In contrast, other types of driveways require far more maintenance. Gravel driveways, for example, require maintenance much more frequently than concrete driveways. While gravel driveways may be cheaper than concrete driveways initially, you should keep in mind that the long-term costs of a gravel driveway may be higher because of the higher maintenance costs.

Concrete Driveways are Durable

Concrete driveways are also very durable. While driveways made from other materials, such as cobblestones or pavers, may look good they are not durable. This means you will end up spending a lot of time and money having them repaired.

Concrete, on the other hand, can stand up to years of heavy use. It can also handle the elements, even if you live in an area with frequent inclement weather.

Driveways Made From Concrete Look Great

In addition to being durable and requiring little maintenance, concrete driveways also look great. Asphalt and gravel driveways may have their advantages, but they will be an eyesore on your property. A driveway made of concrete will enhance the look of your home, especially if you have it colored or stamped with a design.

Concrete driveways offer beauty at a much more affordable price than other aesthetically pleasing materials like cobblestones or pavers. Not only is concrete more affordable up-front, it is more affordable in the long term because it required less maintenance.

It’s Easy to Customize a Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways are also easy to customize. As previously mentioned, concrete can be colored in almost any hue you can imagine. It can also be stamped with various designs. Also, concrete can be poured into almost any shape. You can make your concrete driveway as long and wide as you want. It is also easy to create a winding concrete driveway that leads to the other side of your property.

Finding the Right Concrete Company

If you are planning on having a concrete driveway poured, you should take your time to find the right company among the concrete companies in your area. It may be tempting to simply go with the cheapest company, but this is not a good idea. Such companies often use low-quality materials and inexperienced workers. You may have to have your driveway re-done, which would be expensive.

Instead, you should find a concrete company that has many years of experience. Make sure that the company you are experiencing has successfully poured many residential driveways. Take a look at the pictures of concrete driveways that the company has posted on their website. This will give you a good idea of what they are capable of. Also, make sure to find a company that is willing to give you an estimate before starting work.

By admin Asphalt Driveway • • • • 0 Comments

Is a Concrete Driveway the Best Choice for Your Home?

Has your driveway seen better days? Cracks, potholes, and drainage issues are all tell-tale signs that a new driveway install may be in your immediate future.

If you’re ready to replace your driveway, you have many options, including having a concrete driveway or a cement driveway installed. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of installing a concrete vs. a cement driveway.

The Differences Between Concrete and Cement Driveways

Concrete and cement are often used interchangeably because they look similar; however, they are not the same. Very few things are constructed with cement alone.

Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Along with cement, concrete is also manufactured with water and aggregates including gravel, stone, and sand, which make up about 75% of concrete. Cement, meanwhile, is made from a mixture of silicon, calcium, iron, and aluminum, which are then heated up to a very high temperature before being ground into a fine powder we know as cement. It is then often used as a component of concrete.

Using cement alone is more suitable for smaller projects such as grout or to repair damaged concrete. Most experts don’t recommend using just cement to construct a driveway because it is less durable than concrete and won’t last as long.

Using Concrete to Construct a Driveway

Concrete is one of the most popular and durable materials in the world. It’s used to construct homes, commercial buildings, driveways, columns, and foundations.

Some of the benefits of choosing a concrete driveway over cement, asphalt, or gravel include:

Durable and Long Lasting

Well-maintained concrete driveways can last 30 years or more. Ensure you hire a reputable concrete company to install your driveway as proper installation plays an important role in the durability and lifespan of your driveway. Typically constructed with separate square slabs, concrete driveways are durable enough to handle heavy trucks, RVs, and boats. Concrete driveways often last 50% or longer than asphalt surfaces.

Low Maintenance

Concrete driveways are incredibly easy to maintain. They typically require only regular sweepings or power washes. A concrete sealer should be applied once a year, especially in colder climates that experience frequent freeze-thaw cycles.

Cost-effective

Although concrete driveways are more expensive to construct than other surfaces, they’re most cost-effective in the long run because of reduced maintenance costs, fewer repairs, and a longer life expectancy.

Increased Home Value

Concrete driveways can help increase your home’s value. Not only do many people think concrete is more aesthetically pleasing than other surfaces, but potential homebuyers may be more likely to buy your house knowing the surface requires little maintenance and can last for 30 or more years before a replacement driveway is needed.

Environmentally Friendly

Concrete is a recyclable material, which makes it environmentally friendly. It also requires reduced energy than other materials because it doesn’t need to be repaired, resurfaced, and it lasts longer.

The Cons of Installing a Concrete Driveway

Overall, there are very few cons to installing a concrete driveway. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a concrete driveway due to budgetary constraints, then it may be more cost-effective in the short term to install an asphalt driveway.

Although concrete requires minimal maintenance, it does need to be sealed once a year to ensure the durability of the surface. Fluids or oil stains from cars can be very difficult to remove once they seep into the surface.