Concrete is favored as a driveway material because it is solid, durable, and requires little maintenance. Its strength and longevity make it a good value for large paving areas. Concrete is pricier for driveways than gravel and asphalt but is less costly than a driveway made of brick, cobblestone, or concrete pavers—and it typically outlasts all of these. Plain concrete can look dull but create a unique and attractive surface by coloring or stamping it.
Read on to learn everything about having a concrete driveway in your home.
Pros
- Tremendous longevity; the driveway can last as long as you own the home
- Exceedingly durable surface with a lifespan of 50 years or more
- Strong and solid; stands up to the heaviest vehicles with the proper base and reinforcement
- Affordable option
Cons
- Color-etching and stamping require more maintenance and detract from durability
- Professional installation is recommended
- Requires annual sealing and cleaning; oils and fluids may stain
- Unattractive building material when left plain
Concrete as a Building Material
Concrete is sometimes mistakenly known as cement, but cement refers to just one component that makes up concrete. Concrete is a composite material of various types of stone aggregate held together with a mixture of water and lime-based binder—usually Portland cement. The cement itself is a pulverized powder made from limestone and clay. The aggregate size in the concrete mixture can vary, depending on the intended use of the concrete.
For typical structural construction, concrete is formed with gravel-sized aggregates, but finer sands can be used as the aggregate for finer work and smoother finished surfaces. The typical mixture used in driveway slabs, sidewalks, and other paving surfaces usually uses a mixture of aggregate ranging from gravel to sand-sized particles.
When first mixed, concrete is a pourable slurry that can be shaped to whatever form is required. It then gradually hardens as the concrete cures. The hardening process continues for many months—even years—although a few days of curing make it hard enough for most uses. Concrete is strengthened by placing steel reinforcement wire or rebar within the slab, and other ingredients can be added during mixing to improve strength or slow drying time.
Longevity and Costs
Concrete driveways generally remain functional for 25 to 50 years, depending on how well they are built and maintained. A basic concrete driveway installed over a gravel base by a professional crew will cost $4 to $10 per square foot. The national average is about $6 per square foot; a 16 x 38 driveway averages about $3,900. However, these costs can nearly double if the concrete has a colored or stamped finish. Expect to pay slightly more if demolition of a previous slab is involved.1
Maintenance
Many people think concrete driveways are virtually maintenance-free. However, it pays to keep the driveway clean and sealed to ensure a long life. A good scrubbing with a hose and stiff brush will usually handle the cleaning, while concrete sealer adds a layer of protection. Sealers should be applied at least once a year. If you live in snow country, the best time to seal a driveway is in the fall to ensure that the slab will stand up to road salts and harsh winter weather. Before applying sealant, fix significant cracks with high-quality concrete crack filler.
Installation
DIY vs. Professional
Although homeowners can pour a concrete driveway themselves, it is hard work. Time is critical because it hardens very quickly once the concrete is poured. For this reason, it is usually left to professionals who can excavate, prepare forms, pour the concrete, and finish the surface quickly. A professional crew can do the entire project in a couple of days, while a homeowner usually takes a week or more for excavation and preparation alone and another very long day for pouring and finishing. For the homeowner brave enough to pour his concrete, having a group of willing and able-bodied helpers is essential.
Preparing the Area
Installing a concrete driveway starts with removing grass and other vegetation and ensuring a stable soil foundation. Wood forms are then installed around the perimeter of the intended driveway. A base of class-5 gravel at least 4 inches thick is added, graded, and compacted. Reinforcement material, consisting of a steel wire grid or metal rebar laid in a crisscross pattern across the area, is added just above the packed gravel base.
Pouring the Concrete
The driveway is now ready for the concrete pour. This generally involves a crew of several people working quickly to fill the forms with wet concrete as it is delivered from a ready-mix vendor and then quickly finishing the surface. The finishing crew should also ensure enough expansion joints—grooves formed across the wet surface at prescribed intervals to allow the slab to shift and break at controlled places. Without expansion grooves, a slab can fragment randomly under the effect of natural settling and shifting.
Floating the Concrete
A key part of the finishing process is floating the concrete. After the concrete is poured and smoothed, the finishing crew uses various tools to work the surface of the concrete, drawing the cement and finer particles to the surface through capillary action to create an attractive, smoother surface. The amount of floating determines how flat the surface will be, and considerable craft is involved because excessive floating weakens the surface and causes flaking. At the same time, too little will leave the slab with a rough, industrial look. This is also when a skilled crew can impart decorative finishes and colors to the slab’s surface.
Curing the Concrete
One of the most important parts of a concrete driveway installation begins after all the above work is done—the curing. Concrete doesn’t dry out; it undergoes a slow chemical process that hardens and strengthens the material. This curing process must occur under the right weather conditions. The ideal curing temperature is about 70 degrees, with a surface kept damp but not wet. In cool weather, curing will take longer. Regularly dampen the surface with water to slow the curing time in hot weather.
Wait a week before driving on the new driveway and at least a month before parking heavy vehicles on the driveway. Wait a month or two before sealing the concrete.
Top Brands of Concrete
Some of the most common brands of concrete used for driveways include:
Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveway
Some homeowners may consider both asphalt and concrete to be driveway materials. Asphalt is made of stone, sand, and petroleum products that create an adhesive. The mixture is heated until it is flexible and rolled onto the driveway’s surface. As it cools, it hardens into asphalt.
An asphalt driveway differs from a concrete driveway in cost, appearance, and maintenance. Asphalt prices can fluctuate but typically will be lower upfront than concrete; however, that initial savings will give way to some maintenance costs soon after. Asphalt driveways should be sealed six months after installation, and every three years.
Overall, an asphalt driveway does not last as long as concrete. If you maintain it properly, you may get 30 years out of asphalt, but concrete can last up to 50 years. In frigid temperatures, concrete may crack more easily than asphalt, but in the hot sun, asphalt softens and becomes sticky and vulnerable to gouges.
Is a Concrete Driveway Right for You?
There’s no right or wrong answer when choosing whether concrete is best for your driveway. Concrete is highly durable and hard-wearing, relatively low maintenance, customizable in design and finish, and can last decades. But consider your climate and weather patterns, how much wear and tear the driveway will suffer, and your budget when deciding if it is the best choice for your home.
FAQ
- What’s the difference between concrete and cement?Concrete is a mixture of stone aggregates and water or a lime-based binder. Cement is made from pulverized limestone and clay powder.
- Do I need a professional to install a concrete driveway?Save money, time, and physical exertion by hiring a professional to install a concrete driveway. Pouring concrete requires a sizable crew, which is best provided by a professional.
- What are alternatives to concrete driveways?Use brick, gravel, or pavers as an alternative to a concrete driveway. Consider aesthetic preferences and consult a professional before deciding on the best material for your driveway.
- What is the most affordable type of concrete driveway?The most affordable concrete driveway will be plain gray without staining or decorative finishes. Crushed concrete from old slabs offers a less expensive, sustainable option but may not have a smooth finish.
Contact Atlanta Paving Solutions Today for all of your Atlanta Concrete Driveway needs.
