What Are The Benefits Of Concrete Driveways?

Concrete driveways represent a significant step up from putting down gravel or even paving a surface with asphalt. You may wonder what the benefits of cement driveways are before you decide whether to make the investment in installing one. These 5 benefits often encourage property owners to choose concrete for their driveways.

Load-Bearing Capacity

Especially if you need to park several large vehicles at your house, concrete's high load-bearing capacity will make a difference. You won't have to worry about damage from garbage or delivery vehicles, either. If you need to have several contractors in to deal with a remodel, they won't have any trouble parking their vehicles and even stationing materials on a concrete surface.

Aesthetics

Concrete will almost always look better than gravel or asphalt. There are also decorative options, so you can add colors and even designs to a driveway. Stamping concrete is a fairly common way to add textures and patterns, too. It is also usually possible to stamp concrete to make it look like other materials, such as stone, brick, or tile.

You also can coordinate the slabs of concrete to create shapes that are quite aesthetically pleasing. The contrast between the concrete and nearby grass is more visible in most cases, and this can add visual interest to a property that has limited landscaping.

Integration

Many people like to have concrete driveways because they can easily integrate them physically and visually with garages, carports, patios, and even pool decks. People also frequently like to connect their driveways to their homes' sidewalks. With a little bit of planning, the contractor can usually match the concrete of one surface with that of another. This can give the entire property greater visual consistency.

Drainage Control

Cement driveways generally are easier to build with a focus on controlling drainage. If you need a few channels to direct water away from the driveway, those are usually simple to integrate. There are also porous concrete mixtures available to allow water to drain down through the cement. Even if part of a driveway regularly suffers heavy flooding, a properly designed driveway can help it drain afterward.

Easy Maintenance

Cleaning a concrete surface is normally easier than dealing with other types. In most cases, a quick sweep with a push broom is enough to clear the area.

Some folks worry about staining, especially from oil and other fluids dripping from vehicles. However, there are sealants and epoxies on the market that will protect concrete.