A driveway can make your house more practical and increase the value of your property. Concrete driveways are a great option for this purpose! But you need to do some research before making a decision.
Concrete as a Building Material
Concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world. It is cheap, available everywhere, and an ideal material for construction projects. But concrete is also extremely durable. This means that if you choose to install a concrete driveway around your home, you will get years of practical use out of it at almost no extra expense or time on your part.
You can install driveways with different patterns to add some appeal to your property! But nothing beats the pros of having a smooth surface that does not need regular maintenance or repair work done to it through the Long Island Masonry professionals for a lifetime.
Concrete Driveway Pros
Prepare for more pros than cons that exist with this type of driveway installation.
Costs
Concrete driveways are significantly less expensive than many other installation types. Decorative patterns add a little to the price. But nothing that will break your bank account. If you have been considering a driveway for any amount of time, you know what pros there are in being able to save money on a project like this.
Prepare to spend $4,000 to $8,500 for a standard concrete driveway. This rises for a colored or stamped drive. Familiarize yourself with diverse factors that influence how much your new concrete work will cost. These include the size and shape of your property as well as what materials are used for its construction material selection.
Calculate the amount that you are looking at spending on an entire project. Measure it in cubic yards. Here is some knowledge about this measurement: A cube with edges measuring eight inches long by four wide would have a volume measurement equal to 3 x 8 = 24 yards.
Low Maintenance
The pros of a concrete driveway do not stop at the low cost of operation. But they also include how easy this material is to maintain and clean. A simple wash with a hose is enough to keep your driveway looking nice all year long. You can even use special cleaners if you want.
Choose one that does not contain harsh chemicals which can damage the surface. Concrete driveways are perfect for busy families! There is no waiting around for pros to come out and make repairs. Do not worry about taking time away from important projects on the home front.
Durability
Concrete driveways are very durable. They last a lifetime with minimal care. This means that you will not have to worry about spending money on repairs or maintenance for a long time. You do not need to hire pros for this type of work. It saves you even more money in the process.
The thicker your driveway is, the more durable it will be. A 4-inch thickness forms an excellent base for any pavement material. It can withstand up to 50% heavier traffic with ease. If you want extra durability in addition to this great benefit, then consider paving at least five inches of concrete. It has been proven time after time again and increases the load capacity by around 50%.
It also has resistance to cracking under pressure. This makes it perfect for areas that experience strong weather conditions throughout the year. You will never see this type of driveway option buckle under ice or snow as others will. It also does not get soft when the temperature changes too often like asphalt surfaces do.
Appearance
With some creativity, you can create a beautiful design using concrete as its base material. For example, stamping an artistic pattern into the wet mixture before it dries can create a gorgeous final product! Another idea is to use concrete paint for a colored surface.
Keep your surface looking fantastic all year long! Choose one that does not contain harsh chemicals which can damage the surface and make an excellent base for any pavement material. There is no doubt that a concrete driveway increases the appeal of a property in several ways!
A well-made concrete driveway is attractive and adds long-term value to your home! But it also makes the property much more practical in terms of everyday use. This is from everyone involved, including yourself.
Customizable
Out of all pros for a concrete driveway option, there is nothing more important than the ability to make it personalized. You can choose from thousands or millions of different color schemes and styles. The surface itself requires very little maintenance in comparison to other options.
Summer & Winter Friendly
While asphalt driveways can get hot enough to melt in the summer, concrete does not. The pros of using concrete also include how easy it is to use during both warm and cold weather months. This gives you flexibility throughout any time of the year.
Concrete Driveway & Walkway Cons
In gaining new knowledge about the many pros that a concrete driveway can give you, below are a few cons.
Hard to Repair
A concrete driveway is a great way to give your home that finishing touch! But brace yourself for its set of challenges. Concrete is durable and will last for years without requiring much maintenance or repair once installed correctly.
However, the effects are still present if you do not take care in maintaining them properly. This is especially when considering how quickly they wear away due to groundwater pollution issues.
May Crack Over Time
Concrete driveways pros include low maintenance and durability of the material. But unfortunately, they can also crack over time. Many factors contribute to this like water and regular freeze or thaw cycles. Even a single problem can cause significant damage to the surface. If you do not catch it soon enough, it will quickly get worse.
Staining
This is a quick process! You can remove it with a strong acid or base cleaner. Once again, you need to keep an eye on the finished staining for many years. This is if you want your surface to look as nice as possible.
Taking all pros and cons together, concrete driveways provide homeowners with several benefits. For one thing, it is one of the most affordable options on the market today. You can try it for your driveway.
