Concrete Driveways

The driveway is your first impression; therefore, it is crucial that it should be to one’s liking, and of course, presentable.Who would want to look twice at a house entrance with a plain tarred surface? So, make an effort to stand out with well-designed driveways.

Popular types of driveways

The most popular types of driveways are block pavements and concrete driveways. Each one has its own characteristics and pros and cons. The concrete driveways have evolved into pattern imprinted concrete pavements over time, and that makes them more desirable than those dull and drab surfaces that do not catch anyone’s attention.

What makes concrete driveways popular?

There are many reasons for its popularity. Their cost of installation is lower, and their lifespan is longer as compared to other types of driveways. Another reason is the fact that there is a variety of ways concrete can look; it can be colored or stamped with any kind of pattern – so, you get unlimited options for personalization.

Imprinted concrete driveways are the new trend

Imprinted concrete driveways are a relatively new type of driveways that are in trend nowadays. The way they look is a lot more attractive to the eye as compared to the simple finish of plain concrete driveways.

Advantages of Imprinted concrete driveways

They come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages when it comes to comparison with other types of driveways. Here are some of them:

Variety and diversity

When it comes to choosing a design and color for the imprinted concrete, there is no shortage of options to choose from. You can choose a color and design that nicely complements your garage, the walls of your house, or even your lawn or garden.There are many options to choose from, and there is always something for everyone.

Cost-efficient

Pattern imprinted concrete drivewaysare very cost-efficient. They mimic the looks of block paving without the huge cost of it. Since it is stamped, you can get the look of block paving at a fraction of its cost. It is much less costly to install an imprinted concreted driveway as compared to a block paving or any other pavement.

Saves time

Installing an imprinted concrete driveway is also a lot less time-consuming. Since it is essentially only concrete being stamped, it does not take a lot of time and is done very quickly. It takes a lot less time to install as compared to installing other types of concrete driveways.

Low Maintenance

An outstanding advantage of imprinted concrete driveways is that no weeds or moss is able to grow there. Since there are no spaces in the concrete, no unwanted plants of any sort can grow and survive on it, which helps to maintain the aesthetic look of it.

Imprinted concrete driveways are usually low maintenance, at least for the first 5 years, if there is low to moderate traffic. Most types of stains, dirt, and oil can be easily washed away from the surface, which makes the maintenance very easy.

Life span

In addition, these driveways do not sink, as some other block pavements tend to do. Theycan also be strengthened as per the requirement if the driveway is intended to be used by heavy traffic. The sealant used on imprinted concrete driveways needs to be reapplied every two to four years, particularly if the driveway is under the use of heavy traffic.

A few shortcomings

The sealant that is used for imprinted concrete driveways can become a bit slippery, especially during cold weather. This can make it dangerous for people who walk on the surface.

If there is any misalignment of the pattern placement during the installation due to a hasty job (or some other reason), it can turn out to be very unpleasant as the overall design loses its aesthetic charm.

Imprinted concrete driveways are highly susceptible to developing cracks over time. If these cracks are left to develop, they can increase in size and become very unsightly. It is possible to patch repair the area, although there is always a chance that it might not resemble the original pattern.

There are also no ways for water on the surface to drain away in imprinted concrete driveways. A proper drainage solution that works must also be installed to overcome this problem.

If you have some kind of cables or pipes under your driveway and there is a need to access them for repair or maintenance, then the whole driveway will have to be ripped out and redone after the repair or maintenance if fully done. This can be very costly.

Final verdict

All in all, pattern imprinted concrete driveways are a great option that imparts a modern look. They are a perfect complement to your house if you are looking for something other than the classic block paved driveway.