5 Considerations Before You Get a Brushed Concrete Driveway

After spending a whole year thinking about it, you finally decided to replace your old driveway with a brand new one. The design and aesthetics of your dream house deserve to be complemented by an equally beautiful driveway. You found out that there are many companies offering this service and the variety of designs and color options is overwhelming. It’s time for action, but before you contact any company and get quoted over the phone, here are 5 points to consider:

• Is Your Driveway Really in Need of Replacement?

First things first. Before taking such a big step like repaving your driveway (and especially before giving up on your perfectly good concrete surface), make sure that it really needs replacement. Even though most people want their driveways to be as sleek and aesthetically pleasing as possible, this doesn’t mean that it should be used for aesthetic purposes only.

• How Will the New Type of Driveway Affect Your Home?

Is your home located in a busy neighborhood or do you have neighbors who are always having fun? If so, then finding one with an acceptable level of noise resistance is important. This way, you won’t have to deal with excessive traffic noise when getting ready for work or relaxing at home after a long day at work. Keep this point in mind because some types of driveways may not be able to reduce the amount of noise produced by passing vehicles.

• The Cost Factor

This is surely something everyone wants to know before choosing any type of driveway. When it comes to the cost, you shouldn’t only consider the price of the new construction itself (unless your house was built recently). If you plan on selling your property in the future, think about how much more attractive a stylish driveway will make it. Different factors directly affect the final cost of installation. For instance, some companies charge less for plain concrete surfaces while others prefer not to work with them at all.

• How Much Time Do You Have?

As everyone knows, nothing is worse than having someone mess up your yard while trying to install a new driveway. Sometimes things get out of control even when everything goes as planned because preparation can take so long that by the time workers actually start laying down the new surface, your neighbors have already started complaining. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you have enough time before contacting any company and choosing a design for your new driveway. Even though some companies can offer 24/7 installation service, you still need to give them the required time to prepare for the job.

• Will You Be Able to Maintain It?

Finally, what makes a great-looking surface even better is its ability to stay clean. To ensure that this happens, check whether or not professional cleaning services are available in your area. Additionally, keep in mind that certain types of driveways require regular maintenance so if you aren’t prepared for occasional trips back to the company after installation, this might not be the right approach for you.

Keeping these 5 points in mind before getting a driveway is crucial because it can save you lots of time, money, and stress. With that being said, the choice still depends on personal preference so don’t be afraid to ask your contractor questions or do some research before signing any agreement.

Concrete as a Building Material

Concrete is sometimes mistakenly referred to as cement, but the term cement refers to only one component of concrete. Concrete is a composite material composed of various types of stone aggregate held together by a mixture of water and a lime-based binder—typically Portland cement. The cement is a pulverized powder composed of limestone and clay. Depending on the intended use of the concrete, the size of the aggregate in the concrete mixture can vary. Concrete is typically formed with gravel-sized aggregates, but for finer work and smoother finished surfaces, finer sands can be used as the aggregate. The aggregate used in driveway slabs, sidewalks, and other paving surfaces is typically a mixture of gravel and sand-sized particles.

Concrete, when first mixed, is a pourable slurry that can be shaped into whatever shape is required. As the concrete cures, it gradually hardens. Although a few days of curing makes it hard enough for most uses, the hardening process can take months or even years.

Concrete is strengthened in many applications by embedding steel metal reinforcement wire, or rebar, within the slab. Other ingredients, such as agents that improve strength or slow drying time, can be added during the mixing process.

Installation

Although a homeowner can pour a concrete driveway themselves, it is difficult to work. Time is an important factor because once the concrete is poured, it hardens very quickly. As a result, it is usually left to professionals who can quickly excavate, prepare forms, pour concrete, and finish the surface. A professional crew can complete the project in a couple of days, whereas a homeowner typically takes a week or more for excavation and preparation, followed by another long day for pouring and finishing. A group of willing and able-bodied helpers is essential for the homeowner who is brave enough to pour his own concrete.