Benefits Of Having A Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways houses are the first thing a visitor sees upon arrival. It's one of the things that generally come to homeowners' minds first when looking for effective ways to improve or update their property's exterior.

Homeowners need to understand that the driveway is an area that suffers a lot of wear and tear than other areas of their homes that receive more foot traffic. Generally, a driveway is installed on the outside of the house or in any commercial building, so it is recommended to make it strong and resistant to concrete use. Ensure you've received several detailed quotes from different contractors, as each may have different prep work added to the cost of the project. Our friends over at Concrete Services DFW, one of the best concrete contractors in Plano, TX has spoken with us about inconsistencies between quotes. That many times there is no apples to apples when it comes to the price per square foot.

When you hear the words concrete driveway, you might be thinking of a flat finish and a gray slab. They might be an option, but you can choose to add multiple colors to your driveway, especially if you want a darker surface. Another option is to request multiple textures, such as patterned concrete surfaces that can blend beautifully with your home's architectural design. On the other hand, exposed aggregates offer a three-dimensional look that can be better adapted to your preferences.

Increased Functionality

Concrete is the best choice if your goal is to achieve long-term structural strength and integrity. There is a reason they are generally used for roads and bridges. The material is rigid and not flexible, allowing it to handle heavier loads than asphalt. Because asphalt buckles, you may be concerned about routing or other damage from trucks or other heavy loads. Regardless of your car's weight or the footprint in the area, you can be sure of receiving wonderful long-term results if you opt for concrete.

Resale Value

Your property can benefit from installing a concrete driveway, as it can enhance the curb appeal and value of the property. This will help you get a reasonable resale price for your home should you decide to sell it in the future.

Cost efficiency

When you first install your concrete driveway, you will need to prepare for its construction's initial cost. An asphalt driveway generally boasts a lower upfront cost. However, you can be sure you have value for your money in a concrete driveway, as you don't have to spend a lot on maintenance costs. In addition to this, the useful life of a concrete driveway is longer than that of asphalt, making up for the latter's initial cost savings.

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The Mistakes People Make When Installing Concrete

Installing concrete is not as simple as it sounds. There is a great deal of preparation before a single drop of concrete is poured onto the site. Everything from the mix’s design, the amount of concrete to buy, the site preparation, the tools, the weather forecast, the laying process, the removal of the formwork, and the curing process must be considered beforehand. And what works for one site may not work for another.
Here we’ve compiled the top mistakes people make when installing concrete in hopes of helping you avoid some costly and frustrating headaches.
Not understanding how much concrete is needed for a project.
Concrete always has three dimensions, and one of the first mistakes people make when choosing concrete is underestimating how thick it should be for your project. Decorative or no-load concrete can be roughly shallow, but dimensions are crucial for floors, foundations, driveways, and loadbearing.
The exact thickness depends on how much weight the concrete will support. Driveways that handle heavy traffic from dumpsters or trailers should be thicker than driveways intended for a four-door sedan, for example.
Do not round order for concrete.
Concrete dries quickly, leaving no time for mistakes or adjustments once it has been poured. When ordering concrete, don’t try to be inexpensive or exact. Try to be cautious and ask for a little more concrete than you think you will need. If the measurements are a little out of place, the extra concrete will help. If the measurements were perfect, the conductor would take the extra concrete.

Thinking that all concrete is the same.

Concrete is much more than meets the eye. Depending on the purpose of the concrete, different mix designs may be required.…

Decorative Concrete: Advantages And Disadvantages

A plot near any house needs qualitative changes since standard materials (usually the simplest and most affordable) have long ceased to cope with their purpose. And suppose the same asphalt or concrete does not raise questions as a solid surface underfoot, then because of the standard. In that case, it is better to forget about aesthetic pleasure, especially when unsightly cracks begin to cover the surface.

Is there an effective way out of this situation? Decorative concrete. It is just gaining popularity, but it is a truly impressive option for any yard, as you can create a real masterpiece that will take your breath away. Remarkably, there are many options for the embodiment of existing ideas – there are no obstacles, even if the flight of fantasy goes beyond the usual framework.

There are three technologies for creating decorative concrete:

  • stamped;
  • dusty;
  • stencil.

Stamped decorative concrete – Also called printed concrete, it reflects the creative process. Monolithic concrete layers that have already been laid are treated with a special mixture that hardens the mortar and gives it a certain color. After that, the surface is covered with a material that prevents the matrix from sticking to the mixture itself, and stamping is performed. After removing the matrices (it is necessary to wait more than 12 hours for drying), the surface is also coated with a protective compound, which ensures the work’s durability. Concrete In Lubbock, which is an affordable concrete contractor in Lubbock, TX specializes in stamped concrete.

Sprayed decorative concrete – a colored polymer-cement coating is applied to the surface, which not only gives the required appearance but also makes the material more reliable. Additionally, it is coated with a protective compound to preserve color and save the decorative layer from nature and damage during use.

Stencil decorative concrete – a color fixer is applied to the surface, which is rubbed in with special equipment and smoothing. After a short period (from 10 minutes), drawings are made on the concrete with laid stamps. After a day, the surface is processed – everything unnecessary (material for stamps) is removed, after which the entire area is covered with a protective varnish.

Decorative concrete is most often used to create:

  • walking paths;
  • car entrances and parking lots;
  • patios and areas for various purposes.

There are so many advantages of decorative concrete that you have to dwell on only a few of them to get a rough idea of ​​how good the choice will be. A special place is occupied by a durable surface, which is not afraid of either burnout, or moisture, or abrasion, although over time, some of this will still make itself felt. A real trump card is a high-quality imitation for tiles, wood, slate, and much more than the customer may wish. The words that there are no restrictions are true, which is not so difficult to convince in practice.

There are no serious shortcomings, but there are certain difficulties that require a special approach. Firstly, the customer will have to come to terms with the fact that the process will take a fairly large amount of time – there is no point in talking about high-quality execution in a short time. Secondly, the means at hand will simply not be enough; therefore, it is necessary to have special equipment and appropriate knowledge to not arise at the most crucial moment. Thirdly, the cost is several times more expensive than ordinary paving slabs.

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