Are you planning to renovate your driveway and are looking for the best material to use? There are different factors that you need to consider when choosing the best material for your driveway. Aside from aesthetics, you also need to consider the price, maintenance, and durability of the material. Your driveway is an investment so you need to make sure that you choose the best material that can last for a long time. To help you get started, we have shared tips and information below that you can refer to.
What is the best material for a driveway? Concrete is considered the best material for a driveway. It is durable and versatile. Concrete makes a smooth, stable, and secure foundation that can withstand most climates. Aside from that, it requires little maintenance.
Having a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing driveway will set the tone for the rest of your house. How much does a concrete driveway cost? What are the advantages of a concrete driveway? Why is it important to find the right driveway material? What are the different types of materials for driveways? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Read the rest of the article below to find out more about the topic.
Why is it Important to Find the Right Driveway Material?
It is important to find the right driveway material because it is one of the first things that people see when they look at your house. Moreover, you need to make sure that you choose a material that suits the weather conditions in your area. Your driveway is an investment and can add value to your home so you would want to have the best material for it. The material should be durable, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective. You should set a budget so you can look for material that is within your means.
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
Concrete is an affordable material, especially for small driveways. It can cost about three to ten dollars per square foot. Hence, a driveway that measures 100 square feet will cost about 300 to 1,000 dollars. It is a good deal especially for home maintenance and renovation costs. You can also check out this article that discusses what the cheapest material for a driveway is. We have shared an in-depth article about the topic.
Advantages of Concrete Driveways
Some of the advantages of concrete driveways include durability, low maintenance, customizable, appearance, and cost. It is an ideal material if you want to have a driveway that has a solid look and can last for a long time. Let us learn more about this below.
Cost
One of the advantages of concrete driveways is that it is cost-effective. While it is not the cheapest material available, your money will not go to waste because it is a durable material that needs little maintenance.
Low Maintenance
Another advantage that you can get from a concrete driveway is that it is low maintenance. This material can save you time and money in the long run. Concrete can last up to twenty years or more. You also do not have to deal with weeds growing on the paved area of your driveway.
Durability
Concrete is also one of the strongest materials that can be used for driveways. It can be able to withstand wear and tear as compared to other materials. Driveways are high-traffic areas, but with concrete, it can absorb traffic without cracking. We have also shared this article titled, what is the most durable material for a driveway is? We have shared helpful tips and ideas that you can refer to.
Appearance
Another advantage of concrete is that it provides a solid, polished, and professional finish with less maintenance required. Its aesthetically pleasing look adds an appeal to your driveway and makes it impressive.
Customizable
Concrete can also be customized. You can choose from a wide array of color palettes, patterns, textures, and shapes. With concrete, you can create any look that you want for your driveway.
Convenient
Another advantage of concrete is that it is a convenient choice for your driveway. You can choose a lighter color for your concrete so that it can stay cool under the heat of the sun which is important during the summer. Moreover, it also makes shoveling off snow easier during the winter season.
✅ Video – How to Pour a Concrete Driveway Addition for Beginners DIY
Odell Complete Concrete shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to pour a concrete driveway addition. In the video, the start to finish process of a driveway addition is shown. Check out the video for the visual demonstration.
Disadvantages of Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways also have their disadvantages which include cracking over time, hard to repair, and staining. You need to be aware of these disadvantages so that you can determine what to do in case you have to deal with them. Let us discuss more these disadvantages below.
Hard to Repair
One of the disadvantages of a concrete driveway is that it is hard to repair. If one area of the concrete gets damage, you will need to replace the whole concrete area. This can be an inconvenience and you will also need to spend money on the replacement.
May Crack Over Time
Another disadvantage of concrete is that it can crack over time. This problem can be avoided by hiring an experienced contractor who would make sure that all steps are followed according to code during the installation. To have a solid and sturdy base, you need to consider the depth of the foundation as well as the materials that are used for the foundation, subgrade, and gravel, and rebar. The condition of the weather at the time when the concrete is poured can also contribute to cracks later on.
Staining
Concrete is also vulnerable to staining. This is because of its natural color. Over time, you will notice oil and tire marks on the concrete. You can remove this by using special cleaning agents.
Not Ideal for DIY Projects
Another disadvantage of concrete is that it is not suitable for DIY projects. Take note that pouring concrete on the driveway takes a lot of work which can be overwhelming if you do not have the skills or the tools. Hence, it is recommended that you hire an experienced to do the job.
Types of Driveway Materials
The different types of driveway materials include concrete, paver, shell, asphalt, previous concrete, grass, basalt paver tiles, and bricks. The things that you need to consider when choosing the material are durability, safety, weather conditions, and appearance. When it comes to driveways, the durability of the material will determine if it is a good investment or not. Below are the different types of driveway materials that you can choose from.
Concrete
Concrete is a versatile, cost-effective, durable, and low-maintenance material for your driveway. This makes it a popular choice for a lot of homeowners. Concrete driveways have a traditional and simple loot. It can also be customized with colors and textures to make it more elaborate. You can also check out this article that discusses if crushed concrete make a good driveway. We have shared helpful tips and ideas about the topic.
Paver
Another type of material that you can choose for your driveway is paver. This material can boost the curb appeal of your driveway. They are available in a wide array of designs. On the other hand, the paver is more expensive to install. Like concrete, it is a low-maintenance material that can last for up to 40 years.
Shell
This type of material provides a stunning look to your driveway and is also cost-effective. You can choose from the different available colors. Moreover, make sure that the shells are sourced responsibly, eco-friendly, and have excellent draining.
Asphalt
Another material that you can choose for your driveway is asphalt. This is a popular choice for homeowners because it is pliable and has a weather freeze-thaw cycle that is better as compared to concrete. Moreover, the color of the asphalt makes it possible to retain heat and this also helps melt snow quickly. On the other hand, asphalt needs regular maintenance and should be sealed every 3 to 5 years.
Previous Concrete
This material has little to no sand in its mix which allows water to run smoothly through its porous surface. Hence, it eliminates common problems that are mostly experienced with concrete driveways. Previous concrete has a textured and rustic look. They are environmentally friendly and look attractive.
What is the Most Expensive Driveway Material?
Concrete and resin are two of the most expensive driveway material available. On the other hand, gravel is the cheapest material that you can choose. Take note that the groundwork and the material that you choose will affect the cost of your driveway.
How Thick Should a Driveway Be?
If you have non-reinforced pavement, the standard thickness for a passenger car driveway is 4 inches. If you have heavier vehicles, make sure that your driveway has a thickness of 5 inches. Avoid water stuck-up on your driveway by having proper drainage.
Do all Concrete Driveways Crack?
Not all concrete driveways crack. Unrestrained concrete will not develop any cracks. Cracks often happen when hardened concrete starts losing excess water and starts to shrink.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed what the best material for a driveway is. We have found out that concrete is one of the best materials for your driveway because it is durable and has a smooth and solid look. We have also shared the advantages and disadvantages of concrete that you need to consider if you are thinking to have it for your driveway. Thank you for reading!