Driveway concrete solutions are excellent if you want an average-priced material that will last for a long time. Concrete driveways are popular and for a few good reasons. Do they come free of problems? Well, nothing comes free of problems. The question we should all ask is if concrete is worth considering for the driveway. The question also is if its problems outnumber its advantages or if it is the other way around.
Let’s talk concrete
Concrete is not cement; it simply contains cement and other aggregates. And not all such compounds are exactly the same since the proportions of the concrete aggregates vary – they are not always the same. Concrete is poured – like cement, and is given the expected shape and form. And so, it’s used to create driveways, patios, garage floors, and other structures at home and at businesses. Concrete hardens as it cures and although it is ready for use in a short relatively time, it actually takes a long time to completely harden. If we are talking about projects that demand heavy-duty structures, concrete is reinforced with rebar.
Now that we’ve talked about the basics of concrete, let us take a closer look at the material’s pros and cons.
The pros of concrete driveways
· Concrete has a fantastic, monolithic appearance. Still, it may be surprisingly versatile with stamping techniques, special finishes, and colors out of the ordinary.
· One of the greatest benefits of concrete is its strength. And the fact that it can be reinforced with rebar is encouraging for those who seek extra durability.
· Since we are talking about driveway concrete, it makes sense to say that the material is ideal for outdoor structures and thus, particularly resistant to all elements.
· Concrete doesn’t shrink or expand and although it may crack, it can be fixed.
· Concrete lasts for a very long time. If it’s maintained and its problems – if any, are swiftly fixed, it can last for 50 years.
· This is a low-maintenance material that only needs some cleaning from time to time. But if you want to protect its finish and make it resistant to stains, it’s best to also keep it sealed.
· The cost of concrete is average. It’s more expensive than asphalt, for example, but cheaper than pavers. Due to that, it’s a good asset for high home value.
The cons of concrete driveways
· The fact that concrete needs sealing occasionally adds to your tasks and shows some vulnerabilities. The truth is that the material is absorbent and could be prone to staining if not sealed. This may sound like a headache and it is a headache but it’s done by a pro quickly and basically the only thing you need to do for the driveway, other than cleaning it.
· You need to find expert concrete contractors to do the job. If the proportions of the aggregates are not right and the pouring is not done correctly, the results may not be disappointing but not to your satisfaction. Since the material starts hardening rather fast once it’s poured, the pros must know how to move fast to form the driveway’s shape.
· Concrete may crack. Of course, there are driveway concrete repair solutions but fixing cracks and chips is not as easy as replacing broken pavers – at least, sometimes, it always depends on the size of the crack and how fast you call for service.
· If you keep the concrete driveway to its natural light gray color, there might be some marks from the tires after a while. If you don’t like the idea of cleaning tire stains, prefer darker colors for the driveway.
Overall, the disadvantages of concrete are only a few and nothing you cannot handle. Actually, it’s a fantastic material, which if reinforced with metals and if the job is assigned to experts, the results will be stunning and long lasting. It’s a material worth considering for your driveway.
