Investing in a Concrete Driveway: Is it Worth it?
You may be wondering if investing in a concrete driveway is worth the cost. In almost every case, it’s worth the investment. A new driveway can increase your home’s value while improving the aesthetics of your house and your neighborhood. Learn more about the benefits of a concrete driveway and how it enhances your home’s curb appeal.
Increase Curb Appeal with a Concrete Driveway
Curb appeal is how your home looks from the outside. The exterior gives people their first impression of what your house may look like on the inside. Also, curb appeal can add to or decrease your home’s value.
Since driveways and walkways are what most people see first, a missing or damaged driveway also damages your home’s curb appeal and its value. Installing a new driveway or upgrading the existing one gives your house a visual boost.
You want your driveway to look inviting, and using concrete gives you an array of decorative options to improve your home’s aesthetics. For example, you can put a personal stamp on your driveway by imprinting fresh concrete with a host of patterns that resemble stone-like textures, brick, slate, or flagstone. Stamping concrete is a low-cost design technique that gives pavement a high-end look. For information about how long stamped concrete lasts, read our blog here!
If you’re on a budget, you can add some decorative flair to plain concrete with a textured finish. Contractors can use hand towels to give concrete driveways a swirled design. Or, easily create a pattern of lines with a broom finish. Another trick is to remove the top layer of fresh concrete to expose the coarse rocks underneath, which gives your driveway an aggregate finish.
However, you don’t want decorative concrete to cause a distraction. To enhance the aesthetics of your home’s exterior and increase its value, keep your driveway pleasing to the eye and in sync with your home’s style, color, and surroundings.
Benefits of a Concrete Driveway
When compared to other materials, concrete delivers many distinct advantages. Although asphalt driveways are popular among many homeowners, there are several reasons why concrete is a superior choice over asphalt. Here are some examples:
Durability
A properly installed concrete driveway can last 30 years or longer. Additionally, they drain water far more efficiently than asphalt, and its nonflexible surface can withstand the heaviest of vehicles. You can read our blog, Expected Lifetime of a Concrete Driveway for more information.
Easily Maintained
Of all the materials available for driveway installation, concrete is the easiest to maintain. For example, you’ll typically need to reseal an asphalt driveway about six months to a year after installation. Concrete driveways usually don’t require resealing until about five years after installation.
Another benefit is how easy it is to clean concrete. A water hose, stiff broom or pressurized washer quickly removes excess debris, mildew, and stains. Most asphalt surfaces are harder to clean since the material is softer and can’t withstand extra scrubbing or the strength of a pressure washer.
Sell Your Home Faster
If you plan on putting your house on the market, it may sell faster with a concrete driveway. Many prospective homebuyers prefer these driveways, and in some instances, will pay more than a house with an asphalt driveway. Also, landscaping with predominately concrete features provides a better opportunity for you to regain more of your investment dollars.
Choose G&G Concrete for Your Concrete Driveway Contractor
At G&G Concrete, we are committed to mastering the most artistic and popular concrete driveway decorative techniques, investing in the latest technologies, and exceeding your highest expectations. Quality and meticulous craftsmanship is our promise to you for all of your residential or commercial concrete needs. Curious about which type of concrete is used in driveways? Learn about that here.
For over 20 years, our family-owned business has made customer service and the highest-quality job performance our top priority — from start to finish and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Concrete is a versatile, practical, durable, and functional choice for your driveway needs. Although other materials may cost less to install, concrete will save you money in the long run.
Many people may think of driveways as boring, but it’s one of the first things people see when they pass by your house. So, it pays to think about the material you choose for your driveway.
