A well-constructed and well-maintained driveway can significantly transform your space. It can create an elegant, welcoming exterior and easily increase the value of your property. It positively reflects the values of its owner and leaves a good impression on anyone who looks at your home, even to those who may just be passing by. No matter how beautiful the home, a worn-out and cracked driveway can decrease the appeal of any property. It can be viewed as neglect and can create a negative impression for buyers even if you have invested heavily in-home improvements, upgrades or a complete house renovation.
Repairing or replacing your driveway, despite being highly important, can be a costly feat. This is why if you’re looking to invest in improving your driveway, you have to take cost, design, and functionality into careful consideration. There are many ways to go about when creating a driveway. As a homeowner, you have plenty of styles and design options to choose from. In fact, you can make it as plain, colorful or textured as you like.
Apart from design, there are also various types of materials that can be used to professionally build your driveway. Some of the most popular materials commonly used in residential properties are gravel, concrete or asphalt. However, a lot of homeowners who are looking to maximize the longevity and aesthetic design options for their driveway opt to build using concrete.
Where to get concrete services
Concrete is a highly durable and versatile material. It’s highly resistant to sun and rain and is able to hold up huge amounts of weight making it the ideal material to use for constructing driveways. But when constructing your concrete driveway, there are two things you need to consider: (1) who should build your driveway, and (2) design.
Before you stress over the elements of the project, the best way to start is by finding the right concrete contractors. A good contractor can guide their clients as to the possible cost, timeline, and design of the project. When looking for a contractor, it’s best to search for one who has a great track record with previous local clients. This means they should be someone who has a long-standing reputation for meeting their deadlines and are capable of sticking to the budget they initially set.
Do your due diligence when searching and selecting where you get your concrete services from concrete companies in Nashville. The ease of starting and completing your driveway project highly depends on who you hire to work on it.
Affordable driveway designs
Once you find the right concrete driveway contractors, it’s time to decide on a design for your new driveway. Concrete originally has a smooth, grey finish. But since it’s a versatile material, pigments, stencils, and other materials can be used to create a unique design that will make your space stand out. If you’re yet to decide on a design for your property, there are some unique ones you can get inspiration from.
Elegant concrete pavers
Concrete pavers create a flat finish that makes smooth driving a lot easier. It’s a highly appealing modern design that’s timeless and elegant. The stones on the outline create a better grip, all the while providing aesthetic appeal.
Exposed aggregate driveways
Combining aesthetics and functionality in one, exposed aggregate driveways have a unique textured design and strong underfoot grip for vehicles. The intriguing mix of pebbles creates an interesting design that can complement most modern architectural designs.
Concrete stenciling
As mentioned earlier, concrete is one of the most functionally versatile materials that can be used in any building project. But design-wise, it’s an equally flexible material to use. You can mimic any design, including brick, through professional concrete stenciling.
Pigmented concrete driveway
Pigment can be added to concrete to create a colored finish. You can select a color that complements the hues of your home’s exterior to enforce continuity and consistency in your property’s design.
Front yard driveway
Your driveway doesn’t have to be bland and lifeless. You can complement the greeneries in your front yard by installing concrete pavers on the driveway. A full sun front yard driveway creates a fresh elegant look for your property that emits a welcoming vibe.
Ways to maintain your decorative concrete driveway
Concrete is one of the most durable materials that can be used when creating driveways. But with time, constant heavy traffic, harsh weather, and exposure to harmful chemicals, your concrete driveway can exhibit signs of wear and tear.
Installing a driveway isn’t the cheapest home improvement venture in the books, which is why it’s important to make it count. It’s important to follow concrete maintenance steps that will ensure its longevity.
Sealers
Applying sealers are a great way to create a protective layer between your concrete and the elements that might wear it out. A good sealer should last for at least 2 years before a reapplication is needed
Stain removal
Apart from sealers, stains such as oil and grease must also be immediately cleaned up before it causes discoloration. Stains can be removed through brushing and gentle cleaning agents. For tougher stains, you can use a pressure washer on your concrete driveway.
Keep an eye on the weight of vehicles
While concrete driveways in residential properties are capable of carrying the weight and daily traffic of regular cars, it’s not meant to support heavier and larger vehicles. Minimize the traffic of trucks and buses to ensure longevity.
The price of a professionally built driveway
Every concrete driveway project has a unique set of specifications and demands, therefore also dictating a unique price. But one way to ensure that you get the value for your money is by choosing professional concrete contractors who can commit to ensuring that you get the results that you want. When searching for local concrete contractors in your area, make sure to do your research on each company and its history. Checking client reviews and testimonies is also a great way to get a glimpse of what you can expect from a contractor should you decide to work with them. Choose a contractor who is not only able to build a high-quality, long-wearing driveway, but also capable of doing it on time and on budget. Pick someone who has the initiative and professionalism to complete the job without delays or mishaps.
