| $ $ Concrete Driveway: $2K - $7,5K |
An important part of any house is the driveway.
It’s one of the most used parts since it leads us to the garage or the front door of our house.
Driveways also provide safety to the family when having to get in or get out of a car when the house is located on a busy road.
Even if they might seem as if they are all the same, driveways can be customized and become a relevant element of design, which would also increase the value of your house.
Driveways can be built using materials such as asphalt, brick, gravel, or concrete, among others.
In this article, we’ll review some of the basic facts about concrete driveways, the advantages of having one, and the cost of building one.
Table of Contents
What Is a Concrete Driveway?
A concrete driveway is a driveway that has been built with a combination of water, powder cement, and gravel, rock, or sand.
This combination of materials might change depending on the characteristics of the area and the requirements of the design.
Even though there are several other materials to build driveways, concrete is one of the most popular ones.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Driveways?
In general, concrete has more advantages than disadvantages regarding its use in driveways.
As a material, concrete provides great durability and strength, with driveways being able to last for decades, between 25 and 40 years.
Concrete absorbs less heat than other materials, such as asphalt.
Concrete driveways can easily be customized according to your preferences.
Colors, textures, designs, and different materials can be added to the concrete driveway to personalize it and make it truly unique.
Among the disadvantages of having a concrete driveway is the actual construction of the driveway.
It must be done by professionals because it implies not only a lot of work but also great expertise and time to be able to cure properly.
In this material, cracking of the surface is normal, which might not be ideal for some homeowners.
Even though its maintenance is minimal, you will still have to regularly check for cracks, clean the driveway and apply sealants when necessary.
Are Concrete and Cement the Same Material?
People tend to think these two materials are the same thing.
But cement is actually part of the mix of concrete.
Cement is made of calcium and silica-rich materials, whereas concrete has powder cement, water, and any other aggregate.
This implies that cement is less durable and a weaker material than concrete.
Cement can also be used in driveways but these tend to last less than the ones made of concrete.
What Is the Maintenance of a Concrete Driveway?
One of the benefits of concrete driveways, as we have already mentioned, it’s their durability and low maintenance.
This means that you won’t have to constantly take measures to prevent damage.
With time, it’s natural that cracks appear but it’s important to call an expert so they can check them.
During the colder months of the year, your driveway is more susceptible to damage, thus you should always keep it clean so dirt, oils, and other substances don’t accumulate in the cracks, further damaging the material.
A sealer is also recommended at least once a year to prevent damage.
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
The total cost of a concrete driveway is mostly going to depend on the area that must be covered, its characteristics, the time it takes to build it, the design you choose, the type of concrete, the depth of the driveway, and the city where you live.
The cost of a concrete driveway is usually between $2,000 to $7,500.
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