Concrete driveways is one of the most reliable, low-maintenance and long-lasting materials that can be used for driveways. It’s also a great way to add value to your home. Concrete is also environmentally friendly, because unlike asphalt pavements that rely on non-renewable petroleum supplies, a concrete driveway can be made with locally available materials and recycled aggregates. Your ready-mix supplier can even use waste byproducts of power plants and steel mills, such as fly ash, ground blast furnace slag and silica fume, as partial cement replacements, which keeps this material out of landfills.
In addition to being a sensible choice from a cost perspective, concrete offers a sleek and consistent finish that will stay looking polished for its lifespan. Depending on the style and color you choose, it can help boost the kerb appeal of your property. Modern concrete has many styling options, from traditional light gray to stained or exposed aggregate and pave cut concrete options.
A Smooth Ride Home: The Advantages of Installing Concrete Driveways
If you want a more textured surface, a brushed finish is a simple and effective way to get it. This can be done between cutting in contraction joints and curing, by going over the surface of the concrete with a thick-bristle broom.
Another big advantage of a concrete driveway is its load-bearing capacity. This means that even an extremely heavy vehicle, like a dump truck, can park on it without worrying about damage. However, if your driveway is on a slope, it will need to be pitched correctly to ensure proper drainage. If your contractor doesn’t properly pitch your concrete driveway, water will collect on the surface and freeze, causing it to crack or disintegrate over time.