Pros & Cons of Concrete Driveways in Plano

Concrete Driveways | The Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to any building material. Yes, we are a concrete company. With that said, we want to give you an unbiased breakdown of benefits and also pitfalls of building a concrete driveway in Plano.

Pros

Concrete is a relatively low-cost alternative when you consider the long term. You may only need to have your driveway redone once during your lifetime as a Plano homeowner.
Concrete is a solid surface that can last many decades if installed and taken care of correctly.
A concrete driveway is dependable in Plano. If installed correctly with a good base and reinforcement, it can support the heaviest vehicles you are likely to drive.
Concrete is an attractive construction material, that may be colored and stamped. These treatments are beautiful but do require some care

Cons

Some Plano contractors like to seal concrete every year to ensure it lasts long. It’s difficult to remove oil from the concrete if vehicles leak it.
Concrete projects can be challenging to do on your own. Pouring a concrete driveway can be arduous work, so it is best to hire a professional to do the job.

Concrete is a popular material for driveways because it is solid and durable. It also doesn’t require much maintenance. This makes it a good value for a large area of paving. Concrete is more expensive than gravel or asphalt, but it usually lasts longer and is less costly than stone pavers.

Plain concrete, while uninteresting, maybe colored and imprinted to create a one-of-a-kind and beautiful surface.

What is a Concrete Driveway Made of?

Concrete is made of different types of rocks mixed with water and limestone. Portland cement is used to hold it all together.

Concrete is created from powdered limestone and clay. The aggregate in the mixture can be small or big. Gravel-sized aggregates are used in most building projects. On the other hand, Smaller sands may be used for more delicate work or smoother surfaces.

The usual mixture used in driveway slabs is a combination of aggregate. This is made up of different-sized rocks and sand. In the beginning, concrete’s texture is very maleable and slowly gets hard. When pouring, it should feel like oatmeal. A full process of forming can take several months.

Concrete is frequently reinforced with metal reinforcement wire or rebar. This makes the concrete more durable. Other materials may be added to the mixture when it’s being prepared, such as ones that make it stronger and slow down its drying process.

Concrete Pouring

A homeowner in can pour a concrete driveway in Plano by themselves, but it is backbreaking work. They need to be careful because the concrete starts to harden fast.

A contractor can complete the entire project in a few days, but it will take a homeowner weeks to do just the excavation and preparation. Another lengthy day would be required for finishing and curing the concrete if you want to pour it yourself.

To begin, you must first remove the grass and other plants from the site. Before you start, make sure the soil is stable. Then wood forms are erected around the driveway. A layer of class-5 gravel 4 inches or more thick is then added. It’s subsequently graded and compacted. A steel wire or rebar is laid in a criss-cross pattern across the surface of your driveway’s foundation.

The concrete pour is now underway on the driveway. This generally necessitates the involvement of a crew of numerous people who work swiftly to fill the forms with wet concrete and then swiftly finish the surface. The finishing crew must also add expansion joints. Expansion grooves aid in the slab’s Breaking into parts at specific intervals. Without expansion grooves, the slab might break unpredictably due to natural settlement and shifting.

Floating the Concrete

The finishing process for concrete involves floating it. Once poured, the contractors will push and pull it around. This creates an attractive, smoother texture. The amount of floating performed will impact the smoothness of the surface. If it is too much, it weakens the surface and flakes off. If there isn’t enough, the surface will appear rough and industrial. A skilled crew can also add decorative finishes and colors at this point.

Curing Process

One of the most important things about installing a concrete driveway is making sure that the curing process happens correctly. Concrete doesn’t dry out like other materials. It goes through a chemical process to harden. It’s essential to make sure the conditions are right. The best weather for curing concrete is about 65 degrees. To ensure the concrete driveway cures properly, you should wet the surface but not soak it. If the weather is cool, it will take longer for the driveway to cure. If it is hot, you will need to wet the surface often so that the curing process does not happen too quickly. Give it at least a week before driving on the new surface.

How to Maintain your Driveway

Concrete driveways are often seen as very low-maintenance, but to ensure the pour lasts for a long time, it is crucial to keep it clean and sealed. A good scrubbing with a hose and brush should take care of most dirt and grime, while a sealer will provide an extra layer of protection. The sealer should be applied at least once a year, but ideally twice. If you reside in an area that receives snow, the ideal time to coat a driveway is in the fall so it can endure harsh winter weather and road salts. Luckily, here in Plano we have mild winters, so our climate is ideal for this material.

How Long Will It Last and How is it Expensive?

Concrete driveways last an average of 20 to 50 years, depending on how well they were constructed and maintained. In the greater Dallas area, a professional crew costs between $6 and $15 per square foot to install a basic concrete driveway over a gravel base. A driveway can cost anywhere from $8 to $8. The typical expense for a driveway is about $8 per square foot. A 20×40 driveway would set you back around $6400 in this scenario. It will cost more if you want a colored or stamped finish. If there has been previous slab removal, the labor will be more expensive.