Did you know that having an attractive driveway adds to your property’s value? For an excellent first impression, the frontage is the first thing that potential buyers see. If it doesn’t look attractive on the outside, chances are they won’t bother to enter the house.
Even if you are not selling property, having a well-maintained driveway makes it easier and safer for guests to reach your place. You have the choice of using asphalt or concrete. Both have their advantages, but if you value durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic appeal, you should choose concrete driveways.
What Usually Causes Cracks in Driveways?
When the surface of concrete dries out before it sets, cracks will appear. In construction, the term is “plastic shrinkage.” This situation happens whenever the rate of evaporation is high. Various factors can speed up the drying process – humidity, the velocity of the wind, as well as the temperature of concrete and its surrounding air.
Another common problem is “plastic settlement cracks.” Cracks result when fresh concrete does not entirely settle over the reinforcing mesh.
To prevent both cases from happening to concrete driveways, experts recommend using high-strength cement that sets within 1.5 hours. Moreover, these concrete mixes improve durability.
Can I Have a Coloured Driveway?
Although the natural colour of concrete is light grey, it is possible to use coloured concrete. Colours are essential if you want an impressive-looking driveway. You have a choice of at least 60 standard colours. If you cannot find a specific colour, try colour-matching.
You can either pour or spray coloured concrete. Its resistance to ultraviolet rays will ensure that the colours will not fade. Compared to pavers and bricks, painted driveways will not have discoloured grout. Plus, multi-coloured driveways will hide marks better than ordinary grey concrete.
Aside From Colour, Are There Other Ways dto Improve My Driveway’s Appearance?
Yes, you can use the aggregates to create a natural-looking and unique look. Aggregates compose up to 80 per cent of the mixed concrete. They can be a mixture of sand, small stones, gravel, and crushed stones. Whatever the shape of your driveway, you can choose among various designs.
One more thing – take advantage of its safety features. Concrete mixes can transition from smooth flooring to slip-resistant finishing. Therefore, you can maintain a consistent design from indoors to outdoors.
Is There a Way to Rush the Completion of My Driveway?
Fortunately, yes. Its slump or workability measures the concrete. In other words, it is a measure of concrete’s consistency. A slump rating of 120 to 160 is the recommended value for residential purposes.
For rush work, there are advanced concrete mixes wherein it is unnecessary to add water onsite. Therefore, its high workability makes these mixes faster to set than standard concrete.
An additional advantage is that these concrete mixes will help the pump spread concrete for longer distances because there is less pressure. Due to its high paste content, there will also be fewer blockages.
Consider Kanmantoo Bluestone?
These are natural, multi-coloured stones found in the Adelaide Hills. Its unique colours will be a striking addition to the walls of your driveway. Since each stone is unique and hand-split, it usually costs more. However, Kanmantoo Bluestone is durable and will last for many generations.
