Concrete Driveway
As a homeowner, building a home with materials that not only look good but offer durability, strength, and longevity is vital. You more than likely have a large list of to-do and repairs daily, so limiting that with low-effort materials is always first in mind. Concrete has become one of the most popular materials to use for driveways, for good reason too. The longevity, versatility, strength, and low-effort maintenance make it an easy choice. From Bespoke designs, colors, and textures to plain grey concrete, your driveway will not only look good but last for years to come.
Benefits of Concrete for Your Driveway
Using concrete for a driveway comes with lots of advantages. It does not only add value to the property but it also provides:
Versatility
Your driveway is often the first thing that someone notices about your home. It can be what sets your home apart from the rest. It is for this reason that homeowners want to make it look unique to show their style. When you think of concrete, you may still think of the plain grey. This does not have to be the case anymore, with the use of concrete and stamps we can create any design or texture you wish. Textures from stone to tile and black to pink our large variety of options means that strength does not need to compromise on style.
Affordability
For some homeowners, budgetary considerations may push a lower-cost material upfront for the driveway of their home. But, with the longevity and low-cost maintenance that concrete offers, it may be the cheaper option in the long run. The national average cost of concrete driveway runs from as low as $4 to as high as $8 per square foot. It is way cheaper compared to natural stone, brick, tiles, or wood. Though a little bit more expensive than asphalt, concrete has all the qualities that make a great driveway.
Fire- and Heat-Resistance
The beauty that concrete offers a home is the main reason it has grown in popularity. During the hot summer, alternative materials hold the heat. This makes walking on it barefoot impossible without what feels like third-degree burns. Not to mention the heat your car is exposed to. Concrete reflects the light keeping the surface cooler for longer. Since a concrete surface has the ability to keep cool even through hot weather, it becomes safe to fire. Making your driveway safe from any untoward event.
Low Maintenance
Low effort and low-cost maintenance are words every homeowner wants to hear. With an already long list of maintenance needed around a home, your driveway is not something you want to be added to that. As a general rule of thumb, you should add a new layer of seal to your concrete driveway every 2 to 3 years for it to remain in its original integrity. Apart from that, basic cleaning when there is visible dirt to avoid stains using a garden hose or a pressure washer. Also, regular inspections to ensure any cracks or damage is picked up early and repaired before further damage being caused.
Concrete Driveway Services We Offer
We offer concrete driveway services in South Bend, IN, and nearby areas. Whether you live in colder climates or hot climates, we got your driveway needs covered. Our company offers the following concrete driveway services:
Concrete Driveway Installation
Apart from having a professional crew to install your driveway, rest assured we use only the best driveway material during construction. This enables our driveway experts to deliver a durable surface that could handle different weather elements.
Concrete Driveway Repair and Maintenance
Concrete repairs are necessary when you start seeing cracks and other damages. The sooner we get to fix these issues, the better. Our concrete maintenance service is available should you have no time to maintain the driveway yourself. We offer a regular annual maintenance service, too at a very friendly cost. Contact South Bend Concrete Contractor Co for more information on the services that we offer.
Types of Concrete Driveway Finishes
We understand every customer is different. They have varying design preferences. That is why South Bend Concrete Contractors Co offers a variety of concrete driveway finishes to choose from. Depending on your preference or the design of your property, you may opt to select from any of the following:
Polished Concrete Finish
Polished finish is the most popular choice among concrete finishes available. It's basically a plain concrete surface with a smooth and flat finish. It's a great choice for those on a budget, and those who are into conservative or traditional driveway style.
Stained Concrete Finish
Concrete surfaces can be dull and boring. Instead of its usual gray finish, add colors instead. By opting for a stained concrete finish, you get to add any color of your liking to make an attractive surface.
Decorative Concrete Finish
More popularly known as stamped concrete, decorative finishes make an ideal choice for more creative homeowners. If you want an edgy driveway appearance, decorative concrete is the way to go. Through this method, you can add decorative elements like color, texture, and/or pattern of your choice. We do custom design, too if you want a more personal take on your driveway.
Exposed Aggregate Finish
As the name suggests, this finish exposes aggregates like stones and sand. It makes a slip-resistant finish that's very ideal for a driveway. To achieve such a finish, we pour concrete, level it, and then trowel. We use a chemical to treat it overnight. Then, wash it up with water to remove the top layer, which then exposes the aggregate.
Broom Finish
To achieve this type of concrete finish, the concrete surface is leveled. Then, we close by trowelling or other smoothing methodologies. Our finishing crew will then drag a concrete broom across the surface to make a rough texture. Such a technique makes a slip-resistant surface.
Concrete Driveway Installation Process
Whether it's a residential driveway or a commercial driveway, rest assured we follow the same tedious process to achieve great results. To construct an entire driveway, we follow these steps:
Step 1: Assessment of the Project Site
Assessing soil conditions are very important before starting any concrete project. Unfortunately, there are certain types of soil conditions that need treatment to ensure the durability and stability of concrete. As driveway experts, rest assured we have the right experience and skills to address such problems.
Step 2: On-Site Preparation and Delivery of Materials
Preparation of the site includes making measurements and getting the site ready for concrete pouring. We also ensure all materials are complete and ready to ensure on-time installation.
Step 3: Installation of the Concrete Driveway
We follow an installation process that adheres to the standards set by the industry. That's for sure. Meanwhile, depending on your choice, we can either do poured concrete or concrete paving. If you prefer the latter, we have a selection of concrete pavers for you to choose from.
Step 4: Sealing Using A Top-of-the-Line Concrete Sealer
Our driveway experts apply concrete sealers to complete our driveway installation process. A sealer helps protect the concrete surface from damage, corrosion, and stains. With a concrete driveway sealer, you get to easily deal with grease stains, oil stains, chemical stains, and rust stains, which are very common staining problems.
Step 5: Curing of Concrete
Curing is very important. Thus, we do not suggest testing the surface until it's completely dry and ready. Usually, the surface is ready for foot traffic for about 48 hours. But, it takes seven days for concrete to be cured.
Step 6: Quality Assurance
We make sure there's no cracking or any sign of damage caused during the construction of the driveway. We also do a tensile strength test making sure it's durable and sturdy enough to hold heavy vehicles.
Why Hire Us
There are many reasons why you should hire a professional crew like us. But, let us share with your some of the major reasons why property owners always choose our services over our competitors.
High-End Concrete Driveways
Our company is known for delivering above-grade, exterior concrete surfaces. We make durable concrete driveways that could stand the test of time. If there's one thing we do to ensure quality results, we never compromise. We do not compromise the materials we use and the way we do things. We make sure that in every project we do, we deliver as promised.
Professional Concrete Contractor
When you become a homeowner, you may want to attempt as many DIY jobs as you can to save money. But some jobs are just best left to the professionals. To avoid costly mistakes and repairs concrete is something that should be left with those trained and experienced. With the state of the art tools and equipment and years of experience, our technicians at South Bend Concrete Contractors Co will ensure your concrete driveway is placed quickly and perfectly the first time.
Affordable Concrete Driveway Cost
As mentioned earlier, on average, a concrete driveway costs around $4 to $8 per square foot. It is a bit high priced than an asphalt driveway, which only costs around $1 to $5 per square foot. But, with concrete, you get your money's worth. If properly installed and maintained regularly, concrete driveways can last for up to over 50 years. Meanwhile, an asphalt driveway can only last up to 30 years.
Contact Us Today
Let's discuss your concrete driveway plans today. Call us or message us online via the form on the Contact Us page. Our customer service representatives are available during business hours to provide answers for homeowners.
