Concrete Driveways
Install a durable concrete driveway that handles heavy vehicles, resists weather damage, and boosts your property value.
Why Choose Concrete for Your Driveway
Your driveway takes more punishment than almost any other surface on your property. Vehicles weighing thousands of pounds drive over it multiple times daily. Rain, snow, ice, and summer heat constantly work to break down the material. You need a surface that stands up to this abuse for decades without major repairs or replacement.
Concrete delivers unmatched durability for driveways. A properly installed concrete driveway lasts thirty to forty years or more. Compare that to asphalt, which needs resurfacing every ten to fifteen years. Gravel driveways require constant maintenance with fresh stone added annually. Pavers shift and settle, creating uneven surfaces that need releveling. Concrete provides a solid, stable surface that stays level and intact through decades of use.
Beyond longevity, concrete offers practical advantages. The light color reflects sunlight, keeping the surface cooler than dark asphalt. Snow and ice melt faster on concrete because it does not absorb and hold cold like asphalt does. The solid surface prevents weeds from growing through like they do with gravel or pavers. Concrete resists oil stains better than asphalt, and spills clean up more easily.
Concrete driveways also add value to your property. Potential buyers see a concrete driveway as a long-term asset rather than a maintenance liability. The clean, professional appearance enhances curb appeal. You can choose from multiple finish options including standard broom finish, exposed aggregate for texture, or stamped decorative patterns that make your driveway a design feature. When you invest in concrete, you get both function and beauty.
Concrete Driveway Design Options
Modern concrete driveways go far beyond plain gray slabs. You have numerous options to customize appearance while maintaining the durability concrete provides. The right choices create a driveway that complements your home and reflects your personal style.
Surface Finishes
The finish you choose affects both appearance and traction. Broom finish creates subtle texture lines that provide good traction without being rough. This finish works well in all weather and costs nothing extra. Smooth trowel finish gives a sleek, modern look but can be slippery when wet. We typically reserve this for areas that stay covered or see only foot traffic.
Exposed aggregate reveals the natural beauty of stone in the concrete mix. After placing and initial finishing, we remove the surface layer to expose colorful stones. The result provides excellent traction and hides minor stains or wear. Salt finish creates a weathered, aged appearance similar to natural stone. These specialty finishes cost more but deliver distinctive character you cannot achieve with basic finishes.
Colors and Stains
Gray concrete is classic, but you have many color options available. Integral color mixes pigment throughout the concrete for consistent, permanent color. Popular choices include earth tones like tan, brown, and terra cotta that complement most homes. Darker grays create a contemporary look. Colored concrete costs more than standard gray but the upgrade adds significant visual appeal.
Acid stains create variegated, natural-looking color by chemically reacting with the concrete. Each stain application produces unique patterns because concrete composition varies slightly across the surface. Water-based stains offer broader color choices with more uniform results. Both staining methods work on new or existing concrete, giving you flexibility in timing and budget.
Borders and Patterns
Decorative borders frame your driveway and create visual interest. We can pour borders in contrasting colors, install different finishes along the edges, or add stamped patterns that define the perimeter. Borders work especially well on wider driveways where plain concrete might look monotonous.
Stamping transforms your driveway into a design feature. Choose patterns that mimic brick, stone, or tile. Stamped concrete costs less than installing real pavers while delivering similar visual impact. You can stamp the entire driveway or combine stamped borders with standard finish in the center. Popular combinations include stamped brick borders with broom-finished centers. The design options let you create exactly the look you want within your budget.
Practical Considerations
Design choices should consider both aesthetics and function. Driveways need adequate width for vehicles to pass comfortably. Standard single-car driveways are ten to twelve feet wide. Two-car driveways typically measure eighteen to twenty-four feet across. If you park larger vehicles or need room to open doors, plan for extra width.
Slope matters for drainage. Driveways should slope away from your home at a minimum of one-quarter inch per foot. This gradient moves water away without being noticeable when driving. Steeper slopes require special considerations to prevent slipping in winter and ensure proper concrete placement during installation. Here are key design factors to discuss:
- Width and turning radius for your vehicles
- Drainage direction and slope percentage
- Concrete thickness based on vehicle weight
- Control joint placement to manage cracking
- Apron connection to the street or garage
- Integration with existing landscaping and walkways
We help you balance what you want visually with what works functionally. A beautiful driveway that drains poorly or cracks from inadequate thickness defeats the purpose. Our experience designing driveways in New Albany means we anticipate problems and design solutions that work long-term.
How We Install Your Concrete Driveway
Driveway installation requires careful planning and execution. We follow proven steps that ensure your driveway performs well for decades. Every project gets the same attention to detail regardless of size.
Site Preparation and Excavation
Good driveways start with proper site preparation. We remove any existing surface material, whether asphalt, gravel, or old concrete. The area gets excavated to depth accounting for base material and concrete thickness. Soil type determines how deep we dig. Clay soils require more base material than sandy or gravelly soils. We remove all organic material and soft spots that could compress and cause settling.
Grading establishes proper drainage slope. We use laser levels and survey equipment to ensure water flows away from your home and garage. Low spots get filled and high spots cut down. The entire subgrade receives compaction with plate compactors or rollers. This step cannot be skipped because loose soil under concrete always causes problems later.
Base Installation
A compacted gravel base provides stability and drainage. We install four to six inches of crushed stone depending on soil conditions. The stone goes down in layers with each layer compacted before adding the next. Proper compaction prevents settling that leads to cracks. The base also keeps water from accumulating under the concrete where freeze-thaw cycles cause damage.
Edge forms define the driveway boundaries. These boards must be straight, level, and securely staked. Forms contain the concrete during the pour and create clean edges. We install forms to exact width and proper elevation. Any curves get formed with flexible material that bends smoothly. Expansion joints separate your driveway from adjacent concrete like garage floors or sidewalks. These joints allow independent movement and prevent cracking.
Reinforcement and Pouring
Steel reinforcement controls cracking and adds strength. We use wire mesh or rebar depending on driveway thickness and expected loads. The reinforcement sits on chairs that hold it in the middle third of the concrete thickness for maximum effectiveness. Proper positioning matters because reinforcement too low or too high does not work as intended.
Concrete arrives mixed to specifications for your project. We order slightly more than calculated to ensure complete coverage. The concrete gets placed and spread to fill the forms completely. Screeds strike off excess concrete to create a level surface at the proper elevation. Workers consolidate the concrete to eliminate air pockets and ensure good compaction. This process takes skill and experience to execute correctly.
Finishing and Curing
Finishing creates the final surface texture. We float the surface smooth first, then apply your chosen finish. Broom finish gets applied in straight lines or gentle curves. Stamped patterns go on when the concrete reaches the right consistency. Color hardeners or release agents get applied for decorative finishes. Edge tools create rounded edges that resist chipping.
Control joints cut into the surface create weak points where cracks form in straight lines. These joints typically space ten to fifteen feet apart depending on driveway width. Proper joint placement keeps cracks manageable and predictable. We cut joints before the concrete sets too hard but after it gains enough strength to hold edges.
Curing begins immediately after finishing. We apply curing compound that seals in moisture while concrete hardens. Proper curing allows concrete to reach full strength. You can walk on your driveway after forty-eight hours. Wait at least seven days before driving on it. Following these guidelines ensures your driveway performs as designed. Your New Albany concrete contractor provides complete care instructions so you know how to maintain your investment.