Concrete driveways require less maintenance than asphalt and don’t degrade as quickly. They also don’t crack and spell as easily and are much easier to repair if they do.
Skilled Concrete Driveway Colorado Springs offers many visual design options to enhance your home’s curb appeal and complement your landscaping. They can provide a variety of patterns, colors, and textures to create a unique concrete driveway plan for your property.
Your home’s curb appeal is how your property looks from the street. It’s a first impression that is hard to change, and it has an impact on how people see your property and your house. For example, a well-kept, attractive home that is cared for and reflects the best of your taste will attract more attention than an unkempt one that is in disrepair.
Many homeowners choose to invest in curb appeal projects that have the potential to increase their property value. However, it is important to remember that you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to improve your curb appeal. A few minor projects that you can undertake with a little time and effort will make a big difference.
For example, a concrete driveway will provide a significant visual upgrade to your home and property. Depending on your personal preferences, you can customize the look of your concrete driveway with creative visual design options like patterning, color, and stamping. You can also add an element of flair to your concrete driveway by adding a border made of pavers or flagstones.
You can also improve your home’s curb appeal by planting colorful flowers or creating a decorative garden in your parking strip. Easy-to-grow flowering plants such as hydrangeas, tulips, and daylilies are a great way to add splashes of vibrant color. You can even use them to hide or draw the eye away from any unsightly items that may be in your parking strip, such as garbage cans or water meters.
Homeowners often underestimate the importance of curb appeal, but this factor can make a huge difference in how interested buyers are in your property. It is the reason why so many real estate agents stress curb appeal when selling homes. With home sizes getting smaller and the real estate market still recovering from the pandemic, it is more important than ever to focus on enhancing your property’s curb appeal. This will help you to get the most value for your property when you sell it. In fact, you will likely see more return on your investment if you enhance your property’s curb appeal than if you were to spend the same amount of money on making other major improvements, such as a kitchen remodel or adding new bathrooms.
Durability
Concrete is an extremely durable material that will withstand years of weathering and use. Unlike asphalt, which can crack under heavy pressure, a properly installed concrete driveway can last upwards of 30-40 years without significant maintenance.
Compared to other options such as interlocking pavers, brick or cobblestone, concrete offers an impressive lifespan. This durability translates to reduced maintenance costs over the life of your driveway, which can save you money in the long run.
A concrete driveway can also be stained, stamped or textured to add visual interest and appeal. This flexibility gives you the opportunity to create a concrete surface that complements your home landscaping plans and enhances property values.
When choosing a contractor for your concrete driveway project, make sure they follow all local codes and ordinances to ensure proper construction and performance. Check to see if there are requirements for site preparation, base materials, driveway approach, grade, widths, depth or thickness, and location on your property.
Your concrete installer should place a quality base that is properly compacted and void of organic material. A good base will provide a level and stable surface that is durable and able to drain water well. Your concrete contractor should also install control joints (grooves) within your driveway slab at prescribed intervals to help prevent random cracking. These joints will allow for shifting of the slab without damaging your driveway.
The thickness of your concrete driveway is also important. Many contractors specify a 4” thick slab on a 6” to 8” prepared base for residential driveways, while commercial and industrial applications require at least 5”. A 4” thick concrete slab has a load-carrying capacity of 25,000 pounds. Adding rebar will improve the compressive strength and tensile strength, increasing the load-carrying capacity to more than 30,000 pounds.
Concrete is less likely to crack under stress than other materials, but it does have the potential to develop hairline cracks over time. Cracks are not a structural problem as long as they remain sealed and do not widen, but unsealed cracks can allow ice to penetrate into your driveway and cause damage. If your concrete driveway has cracks that are over 1/4-inch wide, it is time to have it replaced.
Low Maintenance
Concrete is one of the longest-lasting materials for a driveway, and it is also very durable and easy to maintain. In fact, a properly maintained concrete driveway will last more than 20 years without any significant problems. This is a major benefit of choosing concrete over other surface materials, such as asphalt, which need frequent repairs and replacement.
The durability and longevity of a concrete driveway are dependent on the proper installation process, which is why hiring a professional crew for this project is essential. A contractor can excavate and prepare the forms, pour the concrete, and finish the slab in a few days, which is far quicker than the weeks or even months it takes for a homeowner to complete this work on their own.
In addition, a professional can ensure that the slab is sloped correctly to drain water and snow away from the house. This prevents the water from soaking into the concrete and damaging it. A faulty slope can result in standing water, which can contain chemicals that stain and break down the concrete over time.
A concrete driveway should also be installed with an adequate subbase, which is a layer of compacted gravel or crushed stone that extends underneath the concrete slab. This layer improves drainage and reduces heaving and settlement caused by seasonal temperature changes and moisture fluctuations.
Lastly, a concrete driveway should be regularly swept and pressure washed. This removes any loose dirt or debris, and it also keeps the surface clean and free of moss and weeds. In addition, a pressure wash can help to maintain the shine and color of the concrete, which can be difficult to achieve with a manual sweeper.
As a general rule, a new concrete driveway should be sealed within a few weeks of installation to protect the material from weather and environmental damage. This can be done by a professional, or you can purchase a concrete sealer at most home improvement stores. Depending on your preference, you may want to choose a glossy sheen or a matte finish. A shinier finish will reflect sunlight better, but it’s important to remember that this type of driveway will require more frequent re-sealing than a matte finish.
Increased Value
Concrete is a durable material used to build the world around us, but it can also be made into a beautiful driveway. This is one of the most popular upgrades home owners make, and it can add significant value to a property if done properly. Unlike other paving materials, a concrete driveway will last for decades, and it will also stand up to harsh weather conditions. This means you will be able to recover your initial investment if you decide to sell the property in the future.
A concrete driveway looks great with any style house, from a traditional Colonial to an ultra modern design. It’s also more affordable than a paver option. In fact, a concrete driveway can actually increase your home’s value, as many prospective buyers prefer it over other paving options.
The cost of a concrete driveway will vary depending on its size and complexity, but expect to pay $6 to $16 per square foot. Some factors that can impact the price include the location, the amount of prep work needed (removal of existing materials, grading, gravel and soil preparation), the color choice, and any additional features like a heating system to melt snow.
If you want to spruce up the look of your concrete driveway, consider adding a border. Brick or paved stones can be added to the perimeter of your driveway, and they can cost anywhere from $6 to $15 per linear foot. Many concrete contractors will install these borders for you, while others may subcontract them out to a mason or bricklayer.
A new concrete driveway will require a bit of maintenance to keep it looking its best. You will need to sweep it regularly and spray down the surface with a power washer from time to time. Then, apply a coat of sealer once per year to keep the concrete protected. These simple steps will keep the concrete looking its best and lasting for years to come.
