Concrete is an excellent driveway material to use. It’s versatile, attractive, durable, low-maintenance, and often indicates good quality construction from the very first look. A concrete driveway doesn’t it all. But there are some things that you need to consider before putting down a concrete driveway. You must realize your needs to ensure you get the proper concrete driveway for your home.
Concrete Driveways Miami are the most popular type of driveway on the market. They’re also one of the most expensive, and many homeowners want to keep their initial investment intact. In this regard, many homeowners opt to install stone or wooden alternatives instead of concrete driveways. However, stone or wooden alternatives aren’t all that different from concrete driveways in terms of price. It just depends on where you shop.
One problem that some people encounter with concrete driveways is cracked or broken ends. Cracked or broken ends can be very problematic because it can destroy the visual appeal of your home. It can ruin the flow of energy up or down the driveway, causing your grass to be cut short, your plants to wilt, or your flowers to die. For this reason, it’s very important that you take proper care of your concrete driveway. It needs to be sealed and maintained to ensure that you don’t have any cracks or other damages that can threaten its structural integrity.
The first step to ensuring your concrete driveway’s structural integrity is to make sure it is properly sealed. Some homeowners overlook this step, but it’s actually quite important. Sealing your concrete driveways will help prevent weathering and cracking, two of the most destructive forces that can affect your concrete driveways.
There are different sealers that homeowners can choose from to ensure that their concrete driveway has the best protection. In general, the cheapest and most effective sealant is a water-based product called DuraFlip. DuraFlip is a solvent-based adhesive that comes in four thick compartments, each of which has a vinyl sleeve that covers the area of the concrete driveway you need to seal. The four compartments have tiny holes in them so that the compacted water can easily penetrate and then be forced inside the pockets.
Another way to save money and prevent cracking is to build an exterior walkway or a patio around your concrete driveway. Because exterior walkways and patios are made from a flexible material such as PVC, there’s no need to worry about it getting compacted and ruining your driveway. Furthermore, it makes it easy for homeowners to clean their outside areas once in a while. All they have to do is to wipe it down with a sponge and water.
If you want to go the DIY route, you can also use a gravel base for your concrete driveway. Just make sure you choose a gravel base that is the right depth. Asphalt and gravel base will both compact over time as they age. A gravel base will not get compacted as easily and will actually save you some money in the long run. Plus, if you have a contractor or an architect to help you in installing your driveway, he can help you determine the ideal gravel base for your project. This is because he will be able to tell you the exact amount of gravel to install so that your driveway can resist the constant weight of snow and rain, not to mention the traffic that you might have to face on a regular basis.
However, if you are going to use concrete driveway for your home, then you might as well go for a stone or brick veneer. Stone and brick aggregates will complement your concrete driveway at every aspect, from its appearance to its structural integrity. Aggregates can also prevent the cracking that is caused by the weather. For this reason, many homeowners opt for a stone or brick veneer over other options.