As of 2019, 64.1% of the population of the United States are homeowners.
When you’re a homeowner, you do your best to maintain your property in top shape. While many people focus on the inside, you also have to focus on the outside, such as the driveway.
If it’s time you redo your driveway, you have to learn about the benefits of concrete.
Read on to learn about the benefits of a concrete driveway.
1. Lower Cost Long Term
Although concrete driveways are more expensive to install at first, they’re more affordable in the long run.
With asphalt driveways, for example, you will need to have it sealed six months to a year after installation. After that, you need to have it sealed every three to five years to preserve it and it can last as long as possible. Even if you seal asphalt every few years, you can expect it to last up to 30 years.
With Concrete, on the other hand, you don’t have to worry about sealing it. Once you install it, you’re done with maintenance aside from degreasing every so often. Concrete lasts up to 50 years.
Even if you spend a little bit more to install concrete, you won’t have to worry about maintenance costs in the future.
2. Higher Load-Bearing Capacity
If you have multiple cars or a heavy truck, boat, or RV, concrete is a better choice for your driveway.
Asphalt, for example, is a flexible material that can flex under a heavy load. If you have heavy vehicles on your asphalt driveway, you will notice it will damage over time.
Concrete is a non-flexible and rigid material, so it’s able to handle heavy loads without denting.
3. Extend the Life of Concrete
As we mentioned earlier, you don’t have to do much to a concrete driveway after installation and it will still last a long time. However, if you want to go the extra mile to keep your concrete driveway in great shape, you can apply a clear sealer.
After many years of withstanding exposure to the elements, concrete does tend to crack, which is the most common problem with concrete.
With the help of a clear sealer, you can keep de-icers and moisture from penetrating deep in the concrete and causing cracks.
4. Enhance the Curb Appeal of Your Home
Although many people think concrete only comes in a standard gray color, it comes in a variety of colors. If you wish to have a darker finish, you can achieve that color with concrete. You no longer have to stick to a single color of concrete.
To make your concrete driveway even more unique, you can also add textured finishes. There are different techniques used to achieve the desired finish such as sandblasting or chemical treatments.
If you want to take it a step further, you can also add stamped designs to the concrete to help it replicate different surfaces. With the process, you can make your concrete resemble brick, slate, flagstone, cobblestone, wood, and other types of stones.
Staining or Stenciling is also available to give concrete a unique finish. Stenciling achieves a specific pattern or finish by using sandblasting or etching in the specific area.
5. Heat and Light Reaction
When you’re thinking about installing a concrete driveway, you also have to think about how it’s going to react to heat and light absorption.
Is it more practical to have the heat reflectance of concrete or the heat absorption of asphalt?
Unlike asphalt, concrete absorbs fewer UV rays, which helps it stay cooler. The last thing you want to do is walk barefoot on asphalt on a hot summer day.
On the other hand, asphalt will also absorb more heat during the winter. But this added benefit doesn’t make much of a difference.
Since concrete also reflects more light, you don’t need as much lighting in your driveway as you would with asphalt.
Having a concrete driveway will ensure you save money on energy bills in the long run.
6. Issues on the Surface
Have you ever noticed when you step on really hot asphalt, the soles of your shoes get sticky? This is because hot weather affects the surface of the asphalt.
Many people also experience this issue when they first install the asphalt. After its installation, asphalt will release evaporative oils, which might get on the soles of the shoes.
If you’re not careful, you can drag all of the residue into your home, which can prove a pain to clean.
With concrete, you don’t have to worry about any of these issues. Once the surface of concrete dries, it will always be safe to walk on.
7. Consider the Environment
As we mentioned before, concrete reflects more light and reduces energy consumption, which can have positive effects on the environment.
It also takes less energy and resources to produce and install concrete than it does to install asphalt.
To install asphalt, it’s necessary to heat it to 200 to 250 degrees, which is not very environmentally friendly. Also, every time you have to seal your driveway, you have to use more petroleum products.
The impact to the environment is not as significant with concrete because the energy consumption is significantly lower.
8. Adds Resale Value to Your Home
If you are a prospective homebuyer, would you rather buy a house with an asphalt or concrete driveway?
You would have to worry about sealing the asphalt every 3 years, whereas concrete, you wouldn’t have to worry about it again.
As a homeowner, it’s worth making the initial investment of a concrete driveway if it will add value to your home.
Although a driveway might not increase the value of your home by $20,000 as a kitchen would, it can still give you the edge.
Once a potential buyer learns the benefits of concrete, it might help seal the deal.
Benefits of a Concrete Driveway: The Bottom Line
Now that you know about the benefits of a concrete driveway, you’re ready to pave the driveway of your dreams.
With concrete driveways, you end up paying less in the long run, it adds value to your home, and it enhances your curve appeal.
Are you ready for a new concrete driveway? Contact us for a quote.
