Simply put, concrete driveways are perfectly imperfect foundations. Many driveways are only a few feet long, while other driveways extend for many yards to houses set far back from the public road.
Concrete Driveway Cons
Once a concrete driveway is poured and cured, it does not contain any flexibility. In areas where temperatures can drop and the ground freezes, concrete driveways become more susceptible to cracking and chipping. This may even occur at a young age of placement. As newly placed slabs shrink, moisture can evaporate which also causes the concrete to crack.
Parking our vehicles in the driveway is also expected which means your driveway will appear lackluster over time. Cracks could also form due to the heavy pressure of those parked vehicles. Weather conditions will eventually fade the appearance of your driveway, so the curb appeal of your home may suffer as a result.
Concrete Driveway Pros
When it comes to sustainability and conservation, concrete is the clear choice for driveway paving materials. Compared to other materials, concrete offers a surface that is easily maintained and dissipates heat well. Concrete driveways are often more affordable than other options.
Certain properties cannot ever be controlled, therefore will forever be unavoidable. Nevertheless, concrete driveways require less maintenance in the long run and thus remain a popular choice amongst homeowners.
Decorating your Concrete Driveways
The look of your driveway might not seem important since they are merely there to house your car. However, your beautiful home shouldn’t be ruined by an ugly driveway. In the wrong hands, concrete driveways can look drab and weather-beaten.
The good news is that you do not have to replace your entire driveway to revamp its beautiful appearance. If you are planning a renovation project for your concrete driveway, take a look at these decorative finishing options.
Concrete Grooving
A concrete groove finish is achieved by creating groove lines throughout a concrete slab using specialty grooving tools or cutting saws. Grooving a concrete driveway slab helps accommodate high traffic conditions because it divides the entire foundation into smaller sections. This helps drastically to prevent surface cracks and allows for the displacement of water between the surface and vehicle tire tread to improve water drainage.
Concrete Coloring
Giving your driveways a colorful makeover is a great way to add curb appeal and increase the property value of your home. Concrete stains and dyes enhance the overall look of concrete with earth tones and naturally vibrant hues while complementing the architectural features of concrete surfaces. A concrete dye or stain is a high-quality, affordable, and sustainable method for restoring faded concrete surfaces.
Expose the Aggregate
Exposed aggregate refers to a surface in which the top-most layer of concrete is removed to reveal decorative coarse aggregates embedded in the concrete mix or seeded into the surface. Richly colored natural stones such as granite, quartz, and limestone make for the most popular decorative aggregates. However, you can also use recycled colored glass and other manufactured materials. Shells and other interesting objects can also be embedded into the concrete.
Stamped Concrete
A stamped concrete driveway makes a huge impression because it imitates other floor designs perfectly. Stamped concrete can resemble a variety of finishes including brick, flagstone, slate, wood, and tile Oftentimes, the cost of stamped concrete is considerably lower than other finishes and durable to retain its surface appearance much longer. Homeowners can customize both hue and texture to achieve that perfect finishing look. Stamped concrete improves outdoor surfaces such as your driveway.
Broom Finished
Finishing with a broom is an art and is considered to be one of the oldest concrete finishing methods. A broom finish creates a slip-resistant textured surface on concrete surfaces by using a broom. Yes, an actual broom is used to achieve this method! Broom finishes are a non-slippery and affordable solution for your concrete driveways. Not to mention their durability and broom finishing are very easy to do yourself!
Choosing the Right Decorative Concrete Products for your Project
Make sure you understand there will always be some important factors to consider before choosing a decorative finishing option for your concrete driveway.For example, when choosing a finishing method such as decorative concrete which uses concrete dyes and stains, you should determine the type of concrete you’re coloring, pigment selection, water content, mixing ratio, and unique finishing techniques to help you achieve a beautifully decorated surface.
The key is to understand the different elements and how each one plays an important role in how you choose the most ideal products as they are intended to perform.
At Xtreme Polishing Systems, we supply a diverse collection of decorative concrete products consisting of leading industry brands that provide reliable flooring solutions specially formulated to enhance the overall look of concrete surfaces. Our selection includes the following trade names:
Conclusion
Our professionals are here to ensure that you are navigating the market properly, so you choose the highest quality products and materials best fit for your project. Hiring a contractor instead? Our experts can guide you in finding a qualified contractor to help get the job done right. The time is now to revamp the appearance of your homes so consider a decorative solution for your concrete driveways today!
