Concrete is the most popular substance used for driveways and driveways, and with reasons that are well-founded. Concrete slabs are extremely strong and durable, and require minimal maintenance. The strength and endurance make concrete a very good price for large areas of paver. When it comes to driveways concrete is more expensive over cobblestone as well as asphalt however, it is significantly less costly than a driveway constructed with cobblestone, brick, or even concrete pavers–and generally lasts longer than any of them.

Concrete as an Building Material

Concrete is often incorrectly referred to as cement but in actual the word cement is a reference to only one of the components that make up concrete. Concrete is a compound material that is composed of different kinds of stone aggregates which are held together using the addition of lime-based binder and water, which is typically Portland cement. The cement is a pulverized , powder made of clay and limestone. The size of the aggregate used in the concrete mixture may vary in accordance with the purpose of purpose of concrete. For the typical construction of structures concrete is made from gravel-sized particles, however, for smoother and finer surface finishes the use of finer sands is utilized as aggregate. The most common mixture used for pavements for driveways and sidewalks and other surfaces for paving makes use of a mixture of aggregates that range between gravel and sand fragments.

When it is first mixed concrete, it is an easily pourable slurry which can be cut into any shape you want. The concrete will then begin to harden when cement cures. The process of hardening continues for several months or even years, but just a couple of days curing will make it more durable to use in most cases.

In a variety of applications concrete is reinforced by using steel metal reinforcement wire , or even rebar inside the slab. Other ingredients may also be added during mixing like agents that enhance the strength of the concrete or reduce drying time.

Installation

While it is feasible for homeowners to make a concrete driveway on their own but it’s a very difficult work. It is important to have time since once concrete has been put in place, it starts to become very hard. This is why it is typically given to experts who will dig, make forms then pour the concrete and finish the work quickly. A professional team can finish the entire task in just two days, while a home owner will typically need several weeks to prepare and excavate and a long day to pour and finish. If a homeowner is brave enough to pour concrete on his own and pour it himself, having a team of able and willing helpers to assist is vital.

The installation of a concrete driveway begins by clearing the vegetation that is growing and making sure that the soil has a solid foundation. Forms of wood are then placed on the outside of the planned driveway. A layer of gravel class 5 at least 4 inches in thickness is laid, graded, and then compacted. Reinforcement material is placed just above the gravel base, which is made up of a wire grid made of steel or rebar made of metal laid in a criss-cross design across the surface.

Now the driveway is prepared for concrete pour. It is usually a group consisting of a few people working fast in order to pour the form with concrete once it arrives from a ready-mix supplier and then quickly finishing the driveway. The finishing crew must also make sure that there are enough expansion joints, grooves made across the wet surface at predetermined intervals that permit the slab to move and break in controlled locations. Without these grooves, slabs can split randomly as a result of natural shifting and settling.

The most important part of the process of finishing involves moving in the concrete. Once the concrete has been smoothed and poured by the finishing team, they use various equipment to smooth the concrete’s surface by drawing the cement and finer particles onto the surface using capillary action, creating an appealing, smoother surface. How much floating is a factor in the degree of smoothness the surface will be. There an immense amount of skill to do this since excessive floating can make the surface weaker and cause it to flake but too little could give the slab an industrial-looking roughness. This is also when an experienced crew can add attractive finishes and colors to the slab’s surface.

A very crucial aspects of a concrete driveway installation is after all of the above-mentioned work has been completed–the curing. Concrete doesn’t get dry but rather, it goes through an in-depth chemical process that enlarges and strengthens the concrete. It is vital that this curing process takes place in the ideal conditions. It all starts by determining the conditions. Ideal curing conditions are around 70 degrees, with the surface being maintained damp, but not soaking damp. If it is cold the curing process will take longer. In hot conditions, the surface must be regularly soaked with water to speed up curing process.

It is recommended to wait at minimum a week prior to driving on the driveway, and for at least 1 month prior to parking large cars on it. It is best to wait until a month or two after applying sealant to the concrete.

Maintenance

A lot of people think of the concrete drive as practically maintenance-free however, to keep them in good shape it is important to keep the driveway tidy and sealed. A good scrub with an hose and a stiff brush should be sufficient for clean-up, while concrete sealer can add the protection. Sealer is recommended to be used at least once per all through the year. For those who live in the snow country the ideal time to seal your driveway is in autumn so that your driveway can stand up to salts from the road and winter’s harsh weather.

Costs and longevity

Concrete driveways typically last for between 25 and 50 years, based on how durable they were as well as how they’ve been kept. A concrete driveway that is installed over a base of gravel by a skilled crew is priced between $4 and 10 dollars per square foot. The average for the nation is around six dollars per square foot. This makes the cost for an average 16×38-foot driveway roughly $3900. This can almost triple should you opt to choose an engraved or colored finish. You can expect to pay a little higher if there’s the removal of an old slab.

Pros

• Concrete is a reasonably cost-effective option when you think about the longevity. You might need to get the driveway completed just once in the life of your house.
• Concrete is a remarkably durable material. When properly installed and taken care of concrete slabs can last for 50 years or more.
• Concrete driveways are extremely strong. If they are installed correctly with the right foundation and reinforced, they can hold up to the largest cars you’ll ever drive.

Cons

• Concrete isn’t the most appealing building material However, stamping and color-etching are both feasible. These kinds of decorative options, however they require more care and usually do not last as long as concrete that is plain.
• Concrete needs regular maintenance, particularly sealing for the longest lifespan for the concrete slab. Fluids and oils that leak from vehicles can leave staining that is difficult to get rid of.
• Concrete isn’t the most DIY-friendly material for large-scale projects. Pouring a driveway made of concrete requires extremely labor-intensive work, which is why for the majority of homeowners, hiring a professional to install the driveway is the best choice.