All About Concrete Driveways
Concrete Driveway Installation:
Considering a new concrete driveway? Which driveway surface is best when choosing between concrete, asphalt, pavers and stone material? What type of ongoing maintenance will you face with an concrete driveway?
The further North we travel in the United States, the more likely we see asphalt driveways. The further South we travel in the United States, the more likely we see concrete and paver driveways. This is due to the amount of freeze and thaw cycles. Concrete is not a pliable material like asphalt, therefore cracking is much more prevalent and much more difficult to deal with than asphalt or paver driveways.
Of the 4 types of driveways, a concrete driveway is a number 2 on the cost chart! (1 being the most expensive, and 4 being the least expensive!)
But depending on the type of surface you go with, concrete driveways can also require the least amount of ongoing maintenance! |
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Depending on the size and scope of work involved, the construction of a new concrete driveway can be installed by an experienced concrete contractor generally over a 2 to 3 day period. Concrete driveway installation is a bit more labor intensive so you can expect the average concrete driveway to take as much as 7 to 10 days before being able to drive on it and use it. Even more time may be required for patterned or stamped, stained or overlayed concrete driveways.
Be sure to keep any vehicles from leaking oil or gasoline onto the surface of your concrete. Put a piece of wood or cardboard beneath any leaky vehicles. If you live in a colder climate, the use of salt to thaw ice is detrimental to the surface of your concrete. Never Use Salt!! Always use a de-icer!
So... how do we choose between a concrete driveway and the other 3 types of driveways?
Take into the consideration these things: Budget, curb appeal, the climate you live in, and the amount of ongoing maintenance you would like to limit yourself to. |
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Whether you're looking for a simple gray concrete driveway, help with driveway designs, driveway resurfacing or restoration, patterned or stamped concrete driveways, a stained driveway or a driveway overlay... take the guesswork out of hiring the right contractor to install your new concrete driveway by visiting our Trusted Contractor Resource Center to find a reliable concrete installation contractor!
Concrete Driveway Maintenance:
Of the 4 types of driveways, the frequency of maintenance on a simple natural gray concrete driveway is less than asphalt or crushed stone driveways. But if you go with a patterned, stamped, stained or overlayed concrete driveway, the required maintenance can become more frequent with cleaning, sealing cracks and sealing the surface. A properly installed concrete driveway with regularly scheduled maintenance can last up to 20 or even 30 years! That variation in age can be determined by the stability of the sub-grade, the quality of the installation, the type and frequency of maintenance, and the climate you live in.
Types of maintenance services you can expect to perform on a concrete driveway?
Cleaning oil spots, sealing cracks, power washing, edging, and sealing.
For more detailed information about the maintenance of a concrete driveway, enter your name and email address into the form on this page, choose your driveway topic and we’ll send you our library of FREE videos right away!
Check out some Colorful Design Ideas and learn how to spruce up your old worn out concrete driveway!
You can also find a reliable Concrete Maintenance Contractor by visiting our Trusted Contractor Resource Center |
