Is a Concrete Driveway Right for You? The Pros vs. Cons You Need to Know

What to consider before getting that concrete driveway.

Are you looking for a fresh new driveway to replace your old one? Or are you simply looking to try out something new? If you are considering getting a new material for your driveway, why not try concrete?

Concrete is one of the most popular building materials for residential or commercial construction and landscaping. This is because of the plethora of advantages it can offer. But then again, nothing is perfect, and when there’s up, there’s also down. Who knows, though, once you see everything concrete offers, both the good and the bad, you might still consider it for your driveway.

And without further ado, here’s a list of the pros and cons of having a concrete driveway.

Why It’s Right for You

An Affordable Option

Concrete for your driveway is considerably more affordable than bricks, cobblestones, or pavers. This is mainly the reason why it’s sought after. However, don’t judge the concrete for its affordable price. This is just one of the many advantages it can give you.

Tough and Durable Surface

On top of being able to save money, concrete driveways, once done and installed correctly, can last for a long time. If we’re talking about how long they stay functional, they’ll probably last for at least 20 years. And if proper maintenance is done, your concrete driveway might last for even longer than that.

Additionally, a concrete driveway is known for its sturdiness against ever-changing weather, such as intense heat, extreme cold, sudden rain, and more. Not only that, but it can also endure the everyday weight of people and vehicles alike.

Low Maintenance Needed

Proper care and maintenance are needed to keep your concrete driveway functional and lasting longer. But you don’t have to worry about what equipment you’ll need to keep your concrete driveway clean and well-maintained. You also won’t have to deal with weed growth, unlike pavers and bricks. All you need is a broom and an occasional power washing to remove oil and tire marks, and you’re good to go.

Customizable Appearance

One of the concrete driveway’s flaws in the past was its dull and unappealing look. However, now that stamped concrete exists and concrete can be stained, concrete driveways can have a customized appearance. Feel free to color and design your driveway to reflect your style and add more value to your property.

Why It’s Not for You

Hard to Repair

When repairing a paver or brick driveway, you can remove and replace the broken piece without disturbing the surrounding pieces. Concrete driveways, on the other hand, can be difficult and costly to repair. You can’t pour over your old one as well because the damage will linger and will sooner or later resurface. You have to remove the old concrete and install a new one.

Susceptible to Cracking

Concrete driveways are prone to cracking over time. And once cracking appears, your driveway will become vulnerable. Intense weather changes will find their way into the cracks and will do irreparable damage from within. Fortunately, you can lessen the chances for this to happen if you ensure that your concrete driveway is installed correctly and maintain it well through regular sealing and the occasional cleaning.

Prone to Unpleasant Staining

Oil stains and tire marks can easily stain your concrete driveway and become unsightly on your curb appeal. This can occur more often than not, especially if your driveway has the typical concrete look or is stained in a lighter color. You can easily clean them off with special cleaning agents and remove tougher stains. Make sure to refrain from using harsh chemicals to avoid damaging the seals or the concrete surface.

Not a DIY-Friendly Project

Even though you can make your concrete driveway yourself, time is of the essence when it comes to pulling this off. You don’t have the convenience to put this project off until later or the next day because it hardens quickly once the concrete is poured. If the installation is not done correctly, mistakes can affect the durability of your driveway, and you have to remove all of it and start from the beginning. Because of that, it is advised to have concrete driveways done by professional and experienced concrete contractors.

The pros of having a concrete driveway outweigh its cons as long as it is installed correctly and well-maintained. Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of having a concrete driveway, we hope this post can help you decide whether having concrete for your driveway is the right call.

Is a concrete driveway right up your alley, after all? Contact us now! Our concrete contractors will be more than happy to assist you with making the perfect concrete driveway for you!