A concrete driveway is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its durability, low maintenance, and customization options. However, concrete also has some downsides to consider before installing it at your home. Weighing the pros and cons of concrete driveways can help you decide if it’s the right material for your driveway.
Durability of Concrete
One of the biggest advantages of concrete driveways is their longevity and durability. Properly installed and maintained concrete can last for decades.
Withstands Heavy Use
Concrete is incredibly strong and can withstand years of frequent use by vehicles without showing signs of damage. It won’t dent from driven-over toys or deform under heavy vehicles like some other driveway materials can. Concrete stands up well to repeated abuse.
Doesn’t Rut or Crack Easily
Quality concrete is resistant to ruts caused by tire friction and minor cracking from settlement. Minor cracks can be filled to maintain the integrity of the surface. It takes significant movement of the ground underneath to crack a concrete driveway.
Resists Weathering Effects
Concrete holds up very well to exposure to the elements. It won’t rot or degrade due to water, sun, salt, or changes in temperature. A concrete driveway can last for 30 years or more without needing replacement.
Low Maintenance Material
Once poured and cured, concrete needs little ongoing maintenance. Unlike some other driveway materials, you don’t need to regularly seal or repaint concrete. Sweeping, weed control, and snow removal are the primary maintenance needs.
Customizable Appearance
The appearance of concrete driveways can be customized in many ways during installation. This allows you to create a unique look that fits your home’s style.
Variety of Color Options
Concrete can be tinted during mixing to achieve different colors. Popular tint options include earth tones like tan, terra cotta, brown, and brick red. Staining applied after pouring provides even more color choices.
Multiple Finish Options
Concrete can be finished with a broom, brushed, stamped, or exposed aggregate look. The textures add visual appeal and slip resistance. Stamped finishes mimic materials like stone, brick, and tile.
Can Incorporate Decorations
Digging or embedding objects like tiles, rocks, shells, bricks, or pavers into wet concrete creates decorative accents. Decorative saw cuts create pattern designs.
Seamless Appearance
Poured concrete creates a continuous, seamless surface. This provides a neat, uniform look compared to materials like pavers or gravel that have visible seams between sections.
Low Initial Cost
Plain concrete is one of the most affordable driveway materials in terms of upfront installation costs. This makes it popular for homeowners on a tight budget.
Affordable Basic Material
Basic concrete mix is relatively inexpensive compared to other common driveway materials. For large driveways, this can add up to substantial savings on materials.
Quick to Install
Concrete driveways can typically be poured and finished within a few days. There’s no lengthy preparation or assembly of numerous pieces required as with pavers or brick. This reduces labor time and costs.
Minimal Sub-base Needs
A gravel sub-base is all that is needed under a concrete driveway. This is less involved than the excavation and base materials required for asphalt or interlocking pavers.
DIY-Friendly Option
Concrete is a driveway material a motivated DIYer can install themselves. This further reduces costs compared to materials that require professional installation.
Potential Downsides to Consider
However, concrete isn’t perfect. There are some potential negatives to think about if you’re considering it for your new driveway.
Prone to Cracks Over Time
Concrete eventually cracks as it ages and the ground settles. While cracks can be filled, they often reappear. Severe cracks require replacing concrete sections.
Slippery When Wet
The smooth surface of concrete becomes slippery when wet. This can make concrete unsafe for walking or driving in the rain without adding texture.
Can Stain Easily
Oil, grease, rust, and other substances that spill on concrete will soak in and leave permanent stains if not cleaned up quickly. Sealing the concrete helps reduce staining.
Can Be Too Hot in Summer
Concrete absorbs heat from sunlight and can become uncomfortably or even dangerously hot for bare feet in the summer. Sprinkling water helps cool it down.
Lack of Flexibility
Concrete is rigid with no flexibility. Cracks are common due to its brittle nature. Small soil movements readily crack inflexible concrete.
Challenging Repairs
Major repairs to concrete typically require cutting out and replacing sections. Small repairs like crack filling often don’t blend seamlessly. Repair challenges contribute to concrete’s high long-term cost.
Can Contribute to Runoff
Water readily runs off smooth concrete instead of penetrating into the ground. This can contribute to erosion and flooding issues in some cases.
Pros and Cons of Concrete vs. Asphalt
Concrete and asphalt are the two most popular driveway surfaces. How do they compare?
Durability
Concrete Advantage: Properly installed concrete driveways generally last significantly longer than asphalt before needing replacement. Concrete’s longevity is one of its best features.
Appearance
Concrete Advantage: Concrete offers many more options for colors, textures, and patterns. Asphalt comes in basic black.
Initial Cost
Asphalt Advantage: Asphalt driveways usually cost less upfront to install compared to concrete. Asphalt’s cheaper cost makes it popular.
Ongoing Maintenance
Concrete Advantage: Concrete needs very little routine maintenance like sealing or repairs. Asphalt requires more frequent maintenance.
Customization
Concrete Advantage: Concrete can be molded into various shapes and patterns. Asphalt is restricted to basic rectangles or curves.
Environmental Impact
Asphalt Advantage: Asphalt contains recycled materials like old asphalt and car tires. Concrete uses raw virgin materials.
Comfort Underfoot
Concrete Advantage: Concrete stays cooler than asphalt in summer sun. Asphalt absorbs and retains heat.
Overall, concrete has some distinct advantages over asphalt in terms of longevity, appearance, and comfort. But asphalt’s lower cost may make it a better choice for homeowners on a tight budget. Consider maintenance, climate, and aesthetic factors when choosing between concrete and asphalt.
Pros and Cons of Concrete vs. Pavers
Interlocking concrete pavers are another decorative and durable driveway material. How does concrete stack up?
Appearance
Pavers Advantage: Pavers offer tremendous design flexibility with diverse shapes, colors, patterns that concrete can’t match.
Durability
Similar: Both concrete and pavers are very durable driveway materials that last decades.
Initial Cost
Concrete Advantage: Plain concrete is cheaper upfront than most paver projects. But pricing depends on materials chosen.
Ongoing Maintenance
Concrete Advantage: Concrete requires little routine maintenance. Pavers need periodic inspection, realigning, weeding, and sand replenishment between joints.
Customization
Pavers Advantage: Pavers’ small size allows creating curves, borders, and custom patterns that seamless concrete can’t achieve.
Comfort Underfoot
Similar: Both concrete and pavers stay relatively cool compared to asphalt. Joint sand between pavers provides some extra cushioning.
Pavers offer superior design flexibility and customization possibilities. But concrete requires less long-term maintenance. Weigh the pros and cons of each material against your priorities.
Key Considerations When Choosing Concrete
Keep these important tips in mind if you decide a concrete driveway is right for your home.
Hire an Experienced Company
Don’t scrimp on labor costs. An established company with expertise in concrete installation will produce the most professional, long-lasting results.
Choose the Right Concrete Mix
Using a high-quality concrete mix designed for driveways resists cracking and wear from vehicles. Follow the company’s recommended mix.
Prepare the Base Properly
A sound gravel base is essential to prevent shifting and cracks. 4-6 inches of compacted gravel base is ideal in most soil conditions.
Consider Reinforcement
Steel rebar reinforcement helps minimize cracks from ground movement stresses. Fiber mesh is another option to inhibit cracking.
Account for Drainage
Ensure water readily drains off the concrete surface and away from the driveway with grading. Avoid trapping water on the driveway.
Allow Proper Curing Time
Don’t drive on the new concrete for at least 5-7 full days while it cures. This critical step prevents damage.
Install Control Joints
Control joints create planned weaker areas where the concrete can crack in neat lines instead of random cracks.
Seal Regularly
Applying sealant every 1-2 years helps protect concrete from stains, salt damage, and surface deterioration.
In Summary
There are many good reasons why concrete is one of the most widely used driveway materials. When properly installed and maintained, concrete offers unparalleled durability, customization options, and long-term value.
However, concrete does have some drawbacks like potential cracking and slippery nature that are worth considering. Comparing concrete against asphalt and pavers reveals pros and cons of each material.
Carefully weigh the benefits and downsides of concrete against your budget, aesthetic tastes, and long-term priorities. If concrete seems like the right choice, be sure to follow best practices for installation and maintenance. With the right expectations and preparation, a concrete driveway can be a wise investment that provides lasting function and beauty.