Benefits of a Concrete Driveway

Advantages of a Concrete Driveway

Benefits of a Concrete Driveway in Plano

Concrete has been a popular driveway material for many years because it has a lot of advantages. Concrete is solid and can support the weight of even the heaviest car. It also doesn’t matter what the weather is like because concrete is tough enough to handle any condition. Concrete will survive the mild Plano winters and our hot summers. Concrete is a beautiful architectural material with many design possibilities, including color, texture, imprints, and designs. It also works in any home style because there are so many options. Concrete is not expensive, but asphalt, dirt, or gravel are cheaper. Concrete may be a more expensive option than asphalt. Still, its long durability and low-cost upkeep will save you money in the long run.
Concrete is one of the most popular driveway materials, so why wouldn’t everyone utilize it? There are advantages and disadvantages to every driveway construction material. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks.

What Materials are Needed to Create a Concrete Driveway?

Concrete is made from different kinds of rocks, water, cement, and lime. The adhesive in this powder is made from stones and clay. The recipe for the cement is very complex, so the strength of the concrete can vary depending on how it is mixed.
Your concrete mix may have different-sized stones than an alternative brand. You can use smaller rocks or even sand if you want a smoother finish. However, using less stone will make the concrete weaker.
The typical mixture for a driveway slab comprises different-sized stones. You can add other things to the concrete mix to strengthen it, which we will discuss later. You can also add color to the mix using dye.
After you smooth the concrete, you can apply a thin topcoat of texturing material. This will give the slab a textured feel, making it less slippery when wet.

Easy Maintenance

A concrete driveway may cost more upfront, but it lasts much longer than other types of driveways and also requires less upkeep. A concrete driveway can last 60 years or more without cracking. The quality of the installation and foundation is critical if you want your driveway to last.
Ensure that your contractor uses high-quality concrete. If the driveway isn’t well-made, it might crack. This happens because the sub-base wasn’t done correctly or the mixture quality or base material was poor.
Concrete driveways are practically maintenance-free here in Texas, although you can clean and seal them every so often. This is just for appearance rather than structural purposes.

Increase in Property Value

In Plano, concrete is the perfect material for any middle to high-value property. On the flipside, asphalt is not considered a high-quality driveway material. It often looks cheap, and it needs to be repaired frequently, which can cost more in the long run. Gravel driveways are not as good as asphalt because the loose stones always seem to require raking, and they get scattered around. Concrete driveways are an excellent middle ground between higher and lower cost materials. concrete is a more sleek look that may help market your property.
No matter what style your home, concrete provides an excellent driveway that will match your home’s beauty. Several shapes and patterns are accessible to give your project some pizazz. Thousands of Plano homeowners have been using it for years, and it’s a very efficient driveway material.

The Flexibility of Concrete Driveways

Concrete is a flexible material that you can choose from many different designs and finishes. You can have a grid pattern, textures, hues, stamps, and all sorts of borders and inlays. Slabs of concrete with grass spacings are used in some designs. It’s a lovely aesthetic that isn’t achieved using any other material.
Concrete driveways are a wonderful option for any house. You can choose from various designs that will look great on traditional and trendy homes.

Lovely Aesthetic

A driveway is an essential part of your house. It is the first thing people see when driving or walking by your home. A concrete driveway makes a good first impression.
Concrete has a clean and modern look. It can be customized to match any style, so it is a very versatile driveway material. It is one of the most flexible driveway construction materials available. When you add mulch and greenery around it, it looks beautiful. You can’t do the same with pavers or asphalt without having unwanted side effects.
You can make concrete more appealing by using different colors, textures, and coatings. This will make it stand out from other driveways. You can also add features to the outside of your home to make it more unique. A clean-looking driveway can really give your home a great aesthetic.

Cost Analysis of Concrete Driveways

In Plano, a professional contractor should charge between $8 and $10 per square foot for a 4 inch concrete driveway laid over a 6 inch class five base. The national average is about $7 per square foot, so an 18′ x 35′ driveway costs about $4,410. Keep in mind that the overall expense will vary depending on the design and shape of the driveway. Other factors like the amount of crew needed for the job, the experience of the said crew, and the amount of time it takes can affect price.
There are other things to consider when getting a concrete driveway. The thickness of the slab is essential. We recommend 4 to 6 inches. We add wire mesh and rebar to help make the slab stronger. You can also add additives to the mixture, like fiber, making it stronger and giving it a better texture. These factors may bring up the price but will save you in the long run.
If the job site needs demolition or excavation work, it will cost more money. Keep in mind that many people choose to have a simple concrete border. We recommend getting an edge that is at least 8 inches thick if you want your purchase to be more durable. This will aid in the prevention of fissures from forming.

Concrete Driveways for Plano/Dallas Climate

Concrete will always be a better option for warmer climates like ours here in Texas. Other materials like asphalt can soften and get very hot by absorbing a lot of heat from the sun and air. Concrete does a great job of reflecting heat off the surface and will not become malleable or crack from the heat. Asphalt can also get very sticky on hot days. Concrete has no problem in this aspect and will hold up over the years just as you first installed it. Much less maintenance is required compared with asphalt. It is a no-brainer for Plano residents to choose concrete.

Concrete Driveway in the Wintertime

Concrete can be heated efficiently to keep your driveway warm. Radiant floor heating is a method that uses heat to warm things up. This is done by adding an electric system underneath your slab to melt ice.
The surface of a heated concrete driveway is heated. The primary goal of heating the driveway is to remove snow and ice. Though they are few and far between Plano, having a system for cold days with snow or ice can be valuable. They are prevalent in colder climates, and this type of heated driveway system will ensure you are prepared.