What Are the Advantages of Concrete Driveways?
Concrete is always chosen the maximum number of times as driveways and the reasons are many; durability being the major one and also the low-cost maintenance. Although, concrete driveways are a bit costlier than gravel ones, but the latter is preferred more. Concrete based driveways can be customized according to your choice. The three crucial raw materials to make concrete are cement, rocks and sand. Along with the materials, you need to add water to get concrete.
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Why Are Concrete Driveways Beneficial?
Cement driveways and concrete driveways might sound quite different from each other, but technically both are the same. These driveways are chosen because once installed, can last up to twenty or even thirty years. These driveways have certain advantages such as:
- It is important to tally the costing along with the outward appearance. Concrete just provides with both affordable cost and stylish looks. The installation charges are very less for concrete.
- Your driveways are the first thing that catches the attention of passerby and guests. Concrete driveways give your house a professional look. The quality used in these driveways are praiseworthy.
- Only steel and rock can compete with the durability provided by concrete. Who would not want to invest in something that will last for over two decades? Concrete can undergo any harsh conditions and still be unaffected by any wear and tear.
- You must be thinking that at such reasonable prices, you would end up with dull looking concrete driveways. Well, you are wrong. The range of options available for decorative driveways is never-ending. Think of any colour, funky texture or quirky patterns, it can be implemented on the concrete itself.
Last but not the least; another advantage is versatility, and it means that these driveways can fit into any background or locality. The driveways would mould itself into the type of your locality.
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All About Concrete Driveways and Its Installation
Concrete driveways are easy to maintain but that doesn’t make it maintenance free. To make it last long, you need to take proper care of the driveways. Firstly, sealing is required. Specifically, a concrete sealing is to be done. Apart from the sealing, weekly cleaning by a hose pipe will do the cleaning part. The sealing is done for its protection which needs to be done once in a year. If you are living in a county that experiences snowfall, then sealing must be done during the winters.
Depending upon how well you have installed the driveway, it can function properly from twenty five years to at least fifty years. If you are going for coloured patterns or styles, the prices would double. The installation of these driveways involves just a few simple steps, such as:
- The installation of these driveways starts by removal of the grasses and all other vegetation that has occurred on the surface land.
- After that, installation of wooden forms is done. The forms are installed covering the perimeter of the concerned driveway. Over that, a base structure of gravel is added to the driveways and gradation is done.
- After the compaction of the gravel layer, concrete is spread out on the layer. A group of labourers work collectively to pour the concrete and get it done with the final surface. Reinforcement of the concrete must be done using a wire or a rebar.
After the above processes are done, the final step that needs to be carried out is curing. The concrete layer cannot be dried rather it undergoes the process of curing which should be done under best conditions. Best curing happens when the weather is not too dry or wet, rather it should be damp. Let it cure for at least a week before using it.
