5 Things To Consider When Choosing A Concrete Driveway
By Simply Driveways|April 23, 2020
The first thing you see when entering a home is often the driveway. In fact, your driveway is the most essential aspect of your front yard design. It’s therefore highly understandable that having a good driveway is of the highest importance.
When choosing the right concrete driveway for you, there are a variety of things to consider. It’s therefore imperative to focus particularly on both the functional and aesthetic aspect of your property, in order to get the best results. These are 5 essential things to consider when choosing a concrete driveway.
Cost
Before deciding on a concrete driveway project, it’s essential to consider the cost. The cost of your project will depend on a variety of factors, from the size of your driveway, to the type of concrete driveway. Some types of concrete driveways are cheaper than others, while the quality, durability and aesthetics can vary with each.
Broom finished concrete, for example, is made with the help of drawing a broom across the concrete and is one of the most economical options of exposed concrete driveway. Stamped concrete on the other hand, is another popular type of concrete used for driveways that is created by stamping geometric structures or designs on stone into the cement.
It’s important to remember not to go with an inexperienced or incompetent driveway installation service because they charge less. You will often get what you pay for when it comes to choosing a concrete driveway. Be sure to balance all of these factors while looking for cost savings.
Purpose
The most obvious answer to the question of what is your driveway for? May seem like it’s a means for you to get your car onto your property. There may, however, be a lot more reasons for use than just parking a car. Do you have a boat? A caravan? How many cars do you have? Is it a parking space or also a connective space?
When realising what your concrete driveway will be used for, it’s imperative to consider these questions. If you have a heavy car, or use your driveway to transport or store heavy-duty vehicles or machinery, concrete is the best option for your driveway.
Concrete is the most durable driveway material available. When it’s poured correctly, concrete has the ability to handle the weight and force of heavy vehicles without cracking. This means your concrete driveway will require less maintenance and will need to be replaced less frequently than paved options.
Design
The design of your driveway needs to suit the design of your property’s facade. If you have a heritage property, for example, an ultra-modern driveway design and vice versa, may not be the most suitable option.
Selecting a design that suits your needs is also vital for you to get the best out of it. You may want to consider whether or not you have enough space, to implement a walkway function or a special design space, in your front yard. It’s crucial to pay attention to landscaping regardless of the design you choose.
A simple landscaping option is to line your driveway with shrubs. These are a better option than trees, as the roots don’t spread as far and won’t cause your concrete driveway to crack. Be sure to make your concrete driveway the focal point when designing your front landscape.
Maintenance
A high-maintenance driveway can be a time consuming endeavour that you may want to avoid. Paved and natural stone driveways will require you to devote some time pulling weeds out from between the cracks, as well as re-grouting and replacing cracked or chipped sections.
Concrete driveways, however, are an incredibly low maintenance option that will only have to be sealed once every 5-10 years. Concrete driveways can last 25-30 years and hardly ever compromise on the design of your driveway.
The following design techniques make concrete driveway, not only one of the most durable materials, but also one of the most versatile:
• Exposed Aggregate is a technique that reveals the aggregate in the mix for a beautifully textured aesthetic
• Coloured Concrete allows you to choose a colour other than grey, while utilising painted concrete to create your dream palette
• Stamped Concrete uses an imprinting technique that replicates high-end finishes like marble and sandstone without imposing exceptionally high costs
• Stencil Concrete imitates your favourite finish or design, or allows you to come up with a stencil design all of your own
• Slate Concrete offers the stunning visual beauty of slate combined with the low-maintenance and low-cost properties of concrete.
Weather
Another important consideration when choosing a concrete driveway is the weather conditions of where you reside. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, then you may need to choose a versatile concrete material.
It’s important to be sure to choose a material that has the ability to expand and contract without getting damaged as the weather changes.
We all know how important curb appeal and first impressions can be, so it’s vital to ensure that you choose the right concrete driveway for your budget and your home. By taking into account these 5 key considerations, you’ll be able to choose the perfect concrete driveway for your home.
Contact The Experts At Simply Driveways
With over 20 years’ experience in serving the community and as experts of concrete driveways in Melbourne, the team at Simply Driveways pride themselves on using only the highest quality materials. For your peace of mind, our services come with a 5-year structural guarantee, quotation & price guarantee, and service & satisfaction guarantee.
When choosing the right concrete driveway for you, there are a variety of things to consider. It’s therefore imperative to focus particularly on both the functional and aesthetic aspect of your property, in order to get the best results. These are 5 essential things to consider when choosing a concrete driveway.
Cost
Before deciding on a concrete driveway project, it’s essential to consider the cost. The cost of your project will depend on a variety of factors, from the size of your driveway, to the type of concrete driveway. Some types of concrete driveways are cheaper than others, while the quality, durability and aesthetics can vary with each.
Broom finished concrete, for example, is made with the help of drawing a broom across the concrete and is one of the most economical options of exposed concrete driveway. Stamped concrete on the other hand, is another popular type of concrete used for driveways that is created by stamping geometric structures or designs on stone into the cement.
It’s important to remember not to go with an inexperienced or incompetent driveway installation service because they charge less. You will often get what you pay for when it comes to choosing a concrete driveway. Be sure to balance all of these factors while looking for cost savings.
Purpose
The most obvious answer to the question of what is your driveway for? May seem like it’s a means for you to get your car onto your property. There may, however, be a lot more reasons for use than just parking a car. Do you have a boat? A caravan? How many cars do you have? Is it a parking space or also a connective space?
When realising what your concrete driveway will be used for, it’s imperative to consider these questions. If you have a heavy car, or use your driveway to transport or store heavy-duty vehicles or machinery, concrete is the best option for your driveway.
Concrete is the most durable driveway material available. When it’s poured correctly, concrete has the ability to handle the weight and force of heavy vehicles without cracking. This means your concrete driveway will require less maintenance and will need to be replaced less frequently than paved options.
Design
The design of your driveway needs to suit the design of your property’s facade. If you have a heritage property, for example, an ultra-modern driveway design and vice versa, may not be the most suitable option.
Selecting a design that suits your needs is also vital for you to get the best out of it. You may want to consider whether or not you have enough space, to implement a walkway function or a special design space, in your front yard. It’s crucial to pay attention to landscaping regardless of the design you choose.
A simple landscaping option is to line your driveway with shrubs. These are a better option than trees, as the roots don’t spread as far and won’t cause your concrete driveway to crack. Be sure to make your concrete driveway the focal point when designing your front landscape.
Maintenance
A high-maintenance driveway can be a time consuming endeavour that you may want to avoid. Paved and natural stone driveways will require you to devote some time pulling weeds out from between the cracks, as well as re-grouting and replacing cracked or chipped sections.
Concrete driveways, however, are an incredibly low maintenance option that will only have to be sealed once every 5-10 years. Concrete driveways can last 25-30 years and hardly ever compromise on the design of your driveway.
The following design techniques make concrete driveway, not only one of the most durable materials, but also one of the most versatile:
• Exposed Aggregate is a technique that reveals the aggregate in the mix for a beautifully textured aesthetic
• Coloured Concrete allows you to choose a colour other than grey, while utilising painted concrete to create your dream palette
• Stamped Concrete uses an imprinting technique that replicates high-end finishes like marble and sandstone without imposing exceptionally high costs
• Stencil Concrete imitates your favourite finish or design, or allows you to come up with a stencil design all of your own
• Slate Concrete offers the stunning visual beauty of slate combined with the low-maintenance and low-cost properties of concrete.
Weather
Another important consideration when choosing a concrete driveway is the weather conditions of where you reside. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, then you may need to choose a versatile concrete material.
It’s important to be sure to choose a material that has the ability to expand and contract without getting damaged as the weather changes.
We all know how important curb appeal and first impressions can be, so it’s vital to ensure that you choose the right concrete driveway for your budget and your home. By taking into account these 5 key considerations, you’ll be able to choose the perfect concrete driveway for your home.
Contact The Experts At Simply Driveways
With over 20 years’ experience in serving the community and as experts of concrete driveways in Melbourne, the team at Simply Driveways pride themselves on using only the highest quality materials. For your peace of mind, our services come with a 5-year structural guarantee, quotation & price guarantee, and service & satisfaction guarantee.
