Decorative Concrete Driveways to Last for Ages!

If you think that your options for a concrete driveway are limited to plain, gray and boring, it’s time to take a second look. Decorative driveways give you tons of choices in terms of color and style, and can be elegant and beautiful. They can also last for an incredibly long time. What are decorative concrete driveways and why should you worry about them? Here are a few tips to show you just what can be achieved.

Get the Style You Want

One of the first things you need to understand is the use of the “decorative” here. In many instances, that is used to mean “beautiful but nonfunctional”. That’s not the case in this instance. Decorative concrete driveways are just as functional as their undecorated counterparts are – they just look better. A variety of methods can be used to help add style and beauty to your driveway, including:

Stamping – Stamped concrete is an excellent way to transform plain, ordinary concrete into something else entirely. You can have the cement stamped to look like interlocking pavers, natural stone, flagstone, tiles or any other material you might want. Stamping can also be used to add embellishments, patterns and designs to your drive.

Staining – Staining is done to add color to your driveway. You can stain concrete almost any color, from earth tones to bright and bold colors. In addition, different portions of your drive can be stained different colors. This allows you to create dramatic designs and styles in conjunction with stamping, ensuring that you are able to get a truly unique driveway.

The Key to Longevity

The key to getting a decorative driveway that stands the test of time is ensuring that your concrete is properly sealed. The best way to do that is to have a professional take care of it for you and then keep a close eye on your driveway afterward. The concrete will need to be resealed every couple of years in order to maintain resistance to sunshine, weather and vehicle traffic. If you don’t reseal the concrete on a regular basis, you’ll quickly find that it doesn’t last as long as you would like.

Another key factor in ensuring your driveway lasts as long as possible is knowing the right maintenance steps to take. Regular sealing is part of the process, but you should also make sure you keep it clean and free of debris. Ensure that any stains are removed as quickly as possible and try to limit heavy vehicles from driving on the surface.

Perhaps the most important factor in getting a decorative concrete driveway that lasts forever is the professional who does the installation work. Make sure that you hire a contractor with a reputation for providing quality solutions to his or her customers. You

should research each contractor you are considering prior to making a decision, and make your choice based on length of work history, reputation with past clients and expertise in custom concrete design and construction.