Its strength and longevity make it a good value for large paving areas.
Plain concrete can look dull but create a unique and attractive surface by coloring or stamping it.
Read on to learn everything about having a concrete driveway in your home.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
The cement itself is a pulverized powder made from limestone and clay.
The aggregate size in the concrete mixture can vary, depending on the intended use of the concrete.
When first mixed, concrete is a pourable slurry that can be shaped to whatever form is required.
It then gradually hardens as the concrete cures.
The national average is about $6 per square foot;a 16 x 38 drivewayaverages about $3,900.
However, these costs can nearly double if the concrete has a colored or stamped finish.
Expect topay slightly moreif demolition of a previous slab is involved.
Maintenance
Many people thinkconcrete driveways are virtually maintenance-free.
However, it pays to keep the driveway clean and sealed to ensure a long life.
Sealers should be applied at least once a year.
Before applying sealant, fix significant cracks with high-qualityconcrete crack filler.
Time is critical because it hardens very quickly once the concrete is poured.
Wood forms are then installed around the perimeter of the intended driveway.
A base of class-5 gravel at least 4 inches thick is added, graded, and compacted.
Pouring the Concrete
The driveway is now ready for the concrete pour.
Without expansion grooves, a slab can fragment randomly under the effect of natural settling and shifting.
Floating the Concrete
A key part of the finishing process isfloatingthe concrete.
At the same time, too little will leave the slab with a rough, industrial look.
This is also when a skilled crew can impart decorative finishes and colors to the slab’s surface.
Concrete doesn’t dry out; it undergoes a slow chemical process that hardens and strengthens the material.
This curing process must occur under the right weather conditions.
The ideal curing temperature is about 70 degrees, with a surface kept damp but not wet.
In cool weather, curing will take longer.
Regularly dampen the surface with water to slow the curing time in hot weather.
Wait a month or two beforesealing the concrete.
Asphalt is made of stone, sand, and petroleum products that create an adhesive.
The mixture is heated until it is flexible and rolled onto the driveway’s surface.
As it cools, it hardens into asphalt.
Anasphalt drivewaydiffers from a concrete driveway in cost, appearance, and maintenance.
Asphalt driveways should be sealed six months after installation, and every three years.
Overall, an asphalt driveway does not last as long as concrete.
Is a Concrete Driveway Right for You?
There’s no right or wrong answer when choosing whether concrete is best for your driveway.
Concrete is amixture of stone aggregates and water or a lime-based binder.
Cement is made from pulverized limestone and clay powder.
Save money, time, and physical exertion by hiring a professional to install a concrete driveway.
Pouring concrete requires a sizable crew, which is best provided by a professional.
Use brick, gravel, or pavers as an alternative to a concrete driveway.
Consider aesthetic preferences and consult a professional before deciding on the best material for your driveway.
The most affordable concrete driveway will be plain gray without staining or decorative finishes.
Crushed concrete from old slabs offers a less expensive, sustainable option but may not have a smooth finish.
How Much Does a New Driveway Cost?HomeAdvisor.
