Concrete Driveway Colorado Springs are a great investment that can increase the value of your home. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind before you install one.
Pouring and finishing a concrete driveway is a large project that is not usually something DIYers do. Getting this type of work done correctly will ensure quality results and longevity.
When a home has a lot of curb appeal, it makes for a welcoming first impression that draws in potential buyers. The reason for this is that the exterior of a house gives people an idea of what to expect inside, and it’s hard to change a person’s initial impression of something.
If a house looks clean, attractive, and well-cared for, people will assume that it also has these qualities on the inside. This is why so many homeowners and real estate investors spend money on their properties to boost their curb appeal.
A concrete driveway can add a lot to your property’s overall curb appeal, as it’s very appealing to the eye. It can be built in a wide range of colors and textures, and it can also be patterned to create unique designs. The best type of concrete for a driveway is one that has aggregate in it. This type of concrete uses regular concrete mixed with various types of gravel, and then sand is added to the mix. This provides a textured, nuanced look that’s quite beautiful.
The cost of a concrete driveway will vary depending on the thickness chosen and whether or not rebar is included in the project. Adding rebar will increase the strength of the concrete and make it less likely to crack or be damaged under pressure from vehicles and foot traffic.
In addition to a concrete driveway, you’ll want to include a sidewalk that connects the driveway to the road. This is something that can be built by a professional or the homeowner and is often part of the overall curb appeal of a property.
Taking care of your curb appeal is a good way to prepare your property for when you decide to sell it. Having great curb appeal will help you get more offers for your property and can help you sell it faster. You can make a big difference in your property’s curb appeal by doing small things like cleaning up the landscaping, power washing your concrete paths and driveways, and putting in some fresh paint.
Durability
Concrete is a very durable material that can last up to 50 years or more with proper care. This makes it a great choice for driveways that will see heavy use, such as those that are used by garbage trucks or moving vans. When correctly mixed, poured, and sealed, concrete is very strong and can hold up to the heaviest of vehicles without any damage or cracking. It can also be molded into different shapes to fit the space and create unique visual designs that will elevate your home’s curb appeal.
The durability of a concrete driveway is enhanced by the presence of steel reinforcing bars that are often placed in the mixture before it is poured. This helps to prevent cracking that can occur due to the expansion and contraction of the concrete over time. Additionally, a concrete contractor can add expansion joints to the slab at prescribed intervals that will allow the concrete to shift and break apart at these points rather than randomly throughout the surface.
Another benefit of concrete is that it doesn’t crack as easily as asphalt, which can become brittle over time and cause the surface to disintegrate. Concrete is also less prone to oxidation, which can lead to distortion and discoloration of the surface. These factors make concrete a better long-term investment than asphalt.
One disadvantage of a concrete driveway is that it can be more expensive to install than an asphalt one. This is because the base must be prepared before pouring the concrete, and this can require more work and materials than laying down a rubber or gravel base. Additionally, concrete requires a significant amount of time to dry between applications, so homeowners need to be prepared for a longer wait before they can drive on their new driveway.
A concrete driveway can be designed to look like other paving materials, such as pavers or cobblestones, by using decorative aggregates or adding color to the mix before it is poured. This can help hide the appearance of the reinforcement bars and reduce the cost of the installation. In addition, concrete can be etched or stained to add texture and visual interest to the driveway.
Easy Maintenance
Concrete can be stained, stamped, engraved, or colored with various pigments to create unique design elements for your driveway. The color palette can also be matched to complement your home. A professional concrete specialist near you will be able to advise you on the best options for your property and budget.
A well-functioning concrete driveway is important to the overall safety and value of your home. It must be thick enough to support the weight of vehicles and resist cracking from traffic patterns or sun exposure. The type of soil your driveway is poured in has a significant impact on its thickness, strength, and durability. Soil that is gravel-based, mixed sand and granite, or solid rock-like limestone offers the best support for concrete.
The grading of your driveway is also important to the long-term health of its surface. It must be angled properly so that water drains away from the concrete rather than pooling on it. A sloping gradient of 1–1.5 inches per 10 feet is the best for drainage. Drainage pipes can be incorporated into your driveway design if needed to assist in further water diversion.
Removing organic material, laying out planned joints for expansion and contraction, patching problem areas as soon as they appear, and resealing the concrete every three to five years will all help prevent surface deterioration. Avoid the use of de-icing products and salt, as they can damage concrete and contribute to surface scaling, spalling, and corrosion. If you must use ice-melting products, sand or non-clumping kitty litter are the safest options to provide traction without harming your concrete.
Parking your vehicle correctly is also a major factor in the longevity of a concrete driveway. Excessive stress on the edges of the driveway can weaken and crack it, especially if you frequently reverse your vehicle in and out of it. To keep your concrete driveway looking its best, park cars away from the edges and maintain a clear path to the curb when possible.
Increased Value
Concrete is an excellent paving option for driveways because it is long-wearing and highly durable. However, this type of pavement can be expensive to install because it requires a lot of materials and labor. Concrete prices vary based on the thickness, texture, and color, whether a base and subbase are added, the inclusion of rebar, and more. Additionally, a concrete driveway may need extra reinforcement to resist cracking, which can be exacerbated in areas that experience freeze-thaw cycles.
A standard concrete driveway typically costs $3 to $10 per square foot. This includes excavation, drainage, and construction work. However, if you add an apron (the area that connects your driveway to the public road), it can cost between $1 and $5 per square foot more.
Generally, the larger your driveway, the more it will cost. This is because contractors price their work by the square foot, and each additional layer of material increases the final cost. The type of finish and the decorative elements you choose will also play a role in your driveway’s overall cost.
If you opt for a stamped or stenciled look, it will increase your concrete driveway’s costs by $12 to $18 per square foot. This is because the concrete is poured and shaped into a specific pattern. This process can mimic the look of brick, stone, and other attractive designs. Staining and coloring add to the cost as well, since they are more labor-intensive.
Another factor that will impact your driveway’s cost is the soil. Different types of soil will provide different levels of support, strength, and stability for your concrete. Gravel soil, a mix of sand and gravel, or loam soil will all offer good support for a concrete driveway. However, if the ground is loose or unstable, your contractor will need to dig it out and replace it before installing a new concrete driveway.
The addition of rebar (short for reinforcing bar) will increase the strength of your concrete. While it won’t prevent cracks, it will make them less likely to occur and will hold the concrete together if they do happen. If you opt to include rebar in your concrete project, it will generally increase the cost by 7–15%.