ADVANTAGES OF A NEW CONCRETE DRIVEWAY

decorative-driveway

ADVANTAGES OF A NEW CONCRETE DRIVEWAY

 

Are you thinking of having a new concrete driveway in your next residence? Before purchasing or building a home, people usually check out if the designs have a suitable driveway. A concrete driveway is considered a necessity for every home. It provides a number of advantages when it comes to versatility and functionality. A concrete driveway can truly elevate your home’s overall look.

Here are some advantages, a concrete driveway can give you:

  • It is easy to modify. If you want a concrete pavement with the look of stone or brick, consider using concrete pavers. It is expensive to have a genuine brick or stone driveway. Concrete pavers eliminate this issue, giving you the aesthetics that you want for your home’s exterior.
  • It provides function. Concrete is a strong construction material, used by so many contractors. It is very useful in withstanding heavy vehicles such as large SUVs or subcompact cars. A concrete driveway can is highly unlikely to break or crack because of its main material’s strength and denseness.
  • It does not need detailed maintenance. It is very simple to clean and maintain a concrete driveway. Just use mild soap and warm water in removing marks or stains. If you encounter difficult stains, just get a granular cleaner and scrub the driveway. Apply a topical sealant to the surface after applying the finish, so you can get a polished look. Reapply the sealant when necessary. You can also perform some buffing to bring back its shine and luster.
  • It makes your house attractive. Gone are the days of flat slab and slate gray concrete driveways. Now, you can have a concrete driveway of any color imaginable. This makes your home appealing and unique. You can even add more texture or gloss to your concrete driveway, if you prefer.

Concrete is a versatile material for any old or new concrete driveway. You can get your money’s worth when you have this type of driveway as part of your home.

ESSENTIALS OF A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY INSTALLATION

decorative-driveway

ESSENTIALS OF A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY INSTALLATION

Since you have finally decided on a concrete driveway installation as your next home improvement project, take the time to know everything about the process. Concrete is an excellent choice. It is durable, low maintenance, and versatile. It even adds more appeal to your home’s exterior because it plays well with landscaping plans.

Below are some things to consider in installing a concrete driveway:

  • Plan first. Just like any endeavor, planning is necessary in constructing a concrete driveway. Taking the time to discuss things with your contractor helps eliminate any problem during installation. Think about the size, the texture, the thickness, and the overall design of the driveway. You can even ask your contractor to match it to your landscaping patterns.
  • Prepare the site well. If you have an old driveway, made of a different material, it should be removed first with the help of a forklift. It is then hauled away. If there is gravel underneath the old driveway, remove them, so that proper elevation can be achieved for the concrete driveway. The gravel is flattened and compacted by a vibratory compactor.
  • Choose high quality concrete. The key to a lasting concrete driveway is the quality of the mixed concrete you purchase. See if the concrete mix you choose has 4000 psi for its compressive strength, and has 5-7% air content designation for every climate. The air content improves the concrete’s workability. Have a slump of four inches for the concrete driveway paving process. Remember to use 1 inch or ¾ of an inch coarse aggregate to prevent any pop outs.
  • Place, finish, cure, and joint. These four processes should be done, after the concrete has dried. It should be finished by a professional, so that the concrete is not overworked. When the concrete driveway is finished properly, it provides excellent traction. After the finishing, curing should be performed for three to seven days, to achieve the best results. Jointing is finally done to control the spread of possible cracks. Like curing, this process should be performed immediately after finishing.

Discuss concrete driveway installation with your trusted contractor. With the right hands and techniques, your new driveway can easily become a significant asset to your home’s exterior.

Cost to Replace Concrete Driveway

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Cost to Replace Concrete Driveway

The cost to replace concrete driveway depends on the location it is being installed. In a rural area where materials are being brought in from a major city, you might need to pay more. In turn, areas with more competition may cost you less. Here are the average ranges that contribute to the cost to replace concrete driveway.

First is the cost of labor. These are standard fees associated with the process. They include planning, the use of equipment, preparing the area, laying the concrete and then cleaning up after the job is done. For a 500 square foot concrete driveway, the average cost for labor is between $1,000 and $2,000.

You also need to consider the job materials and supplies necessary to complete the job. This includes the reinforcing materials, patching items, chemical agents and other essential parts. For a 500 square foot driveway, you can expect these to run between $100 and $120. In addition to these, charges you also have the main cost of the concrete and the delivery fees associated with it. The range of this is commonly $700 – $800 if not discounted.

If any rentals are required, they can cost about an additional $100 to the total. That makes the average cost for a square foot of concrete run between $4.00 and $5.50. For a 500 square foot project, you can anticipate paying between $2,006 and $2,750. The exception is when discounts and other savings are involved. For an actual quote for your area, including any promotions available, please call us at (918) 960-1440.