Asphalt, paver, turf, brick, stamped concrete, regular concrete—with all the driveway material options, how are you ever supposed to be able to choose? Considering the pros and cons of all the materials is crucial, but this article will discuss the benefits of a concrete driveway because they are highly beneficial and the most popular type of driveway material for a very good reason.
Concrete and cement are not one in the same, as many people may think. Cement is just one part of concrete, which is actually a composite of a variety of stone aggregate, held together with water and lime-based binder.
Concrete is a great building material because when it’s in its liquid form, it can be shaped into just about any shape it needs to be and then will gradually harden. It can be strengthened by steel if necessary, depending on its uses, and a contractor can even add materials to the concrete to help further strengthen it. This makes it versatile, strong, and useful for many applications.
You probably see concrete just about everywhere you go because it’s used in well…a lot of things. Some uses for concrete are:
Those are just some applications of concrete, but it can be used just about anywhere.
Because concrete is so versatile, it is a great driveway option for a slew of reasons, not the least of which is that it’s easy to mix and use and can be mixed in just about any thickness and strength necessary. Considering switching from your gravel driveway to help preserve your cars and yard? Or maybe you need extra driveway space so your kids stop destroying the lawn by parking on it. You might be building a brand new driveway or replacing an old one, but whatever the reason, concrete has many, many benefits to be used in a driveway.
Concrete driveways tend to cost more upfront than other driveway materials such as asphalt. Part of the reason for this is that they typically last significantly longer than other materials with much less maintenance. This ends up making the cost of concrete lower long-term, including being able to avoid the difficulties that come with having to have frequent maintenance done on your driveway.
That being said, concrete driveways do require some maintenance to make sure they last as long as possible, but if that is done and the driveway was installed properly in the first place, a concrete driveway will usually last you around 30 years—and sometimes even longer. As long as your concrete company ensures it has a solid foundation and can properly drain water (which is especially important in the Cleveland area where the precipitation is high, and snow and ice will sit on driveways for months at a time), your driveway will be an investment you shouldn’t have to worry about for years.
This is why the installation of your concrete driveway is so crucial and why it’s so important to hire a professional to do the job. Otherwise you will end up wasting more money in the long run.
As discussed in the last section, concrete driveways are one of the most low maintenance driveway materials. Pretty much all concrete requires is that you sweep or power wash it from time to time and use a concrete sealer once a year or so to ensure cracks and moisture don’t start causing issues. Sealer isn’t required in all climates, but in Ohio’s frequent freeze and thaw cycles causing the concrete to expand and contract, applying a sealer regularly will help you extend the life of your concrete driveway and will end up protecting your investment.
Applying a concrete sealer to your driveway can be a DIY project if you’re handy, or you can hire a concrete professional to come out and handle it for you. This is often the choice of people who want to just hire someone and not have to worry about it, and they will be able to take care of the sealing once a year to ensure you don’t get excessive cracks in your driveway.
A concrete driveway is light in color, which means it’s kid, pet, and bare feet friendly because it doesn’t absorb the sun as much as other, darker driveway materials. This means more time playing outside in the summer and not having to worry about walking pets down it during walk time. This gives your home significant resale value because of the surface features (plus concrete is more environmentally friendly, which is always a win!).
Concrete driveways are also very strong and can sustain a larger weight due to its higher load-bearing capacity. Because it’s rigid and non-flexible, concrete doesn’t bend and bow with a heavy RV, trucks, or numerous vehicles on it at once. This is a great feature for people who really get a lot of use out of their driveway or have heavier vehicles they need to store in the driveway. This includes boats and other trailed vehicles or heavy trailers.
Anchor Crete concrete professionals specialize in concrete driveways of all varieties, which means the installation is efficient, professional, and will help your driveway last longer. For concrete driveway needs in Sugarcreek, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Canton, Massillon, and surrounding Ohio areas, contact Anchor Crete.
Whether it is a commercial parking lot, personal driveway, or a decorative patio, we are committed to providing you with quality workmanship at an affordable price. Quality materials and attention to detail are a way of life at Anchor Crete – no shortcuts!
Created On:
June 12, 2024
