Is a Concrete Driveway A More Durable Option in the Sparks and Reno, NV Areas
As you search for Sparks and Reno, NV Areas driveway designs, you might notice some attractive custom surfaces that don’t look like ordinary concrete. When you dig deeper, you might find that what you are seeing is custom concrete driveways that offer durability and eye-catching beauty at the same time. Is concrete a more durable option for a driveway?
Related: How to Add a Custom Touch to a Concrete Driveway and Patio in the Reno, NV Area
Is concrete a durable driveway choice?
Concrete is a wonderfully durable choice when a skilled landscape contractor performs the work. Not only does air-entrained concrete withstand freeze/thaw cycles that can destroy the appearance of ordinary concrete over time, but it maintains a surface integrity that lasts for years.
Air-entrained concrete has microscopic cells that allow the concrete to contract and expand without cracking or crumbling, relieving surface pressure and preventing the surface from being marred.
Custom Concrete Surfaces
When you choose air-entrained concrete for a driveway, you have several surfaces to customize the look and texture of the driveway. This means that no two driveways will look identical and you won’t glance over at a neighbor’s driveway and see the same one on their house and the next house.
Exposed Aggregate
Exposed aggregate can give your driveway a textured surface of small pebbles, colored glass, or another decorative rock. It might be the most interesting driveway surface and gives the space an upscale look.
Colored Concrete
A landscape specialist can have your concrete colored to almost any choice you make. Your driveway can be a tone of the house paint color, a muted earthy tone, or another hue that strikes your fancy. Coloring for concrete can be combined with the aggregate and other concrete finishes for a truly unique design and aesthetic.
Stamped Concrete
If you love the look of stone but don’t have driveway pavers in the budget, selecting stamped concrete can give your driveway the look of stone at a fraction of the cost. You don’t have to choose only one stone stamp since they can combine different stamps to give your space a custom look. Many homeowners like the look of stamped concrete along the driveway sides and at the entry but you can make the surface any pattern you want.
Broom Finishes
Broom finishes are also popular since they break up the concrete expanse with a textured surface. You can choose fine broom bristles or coarse to vary the finished surface texture. Broom finishes can also be combined with other applications like color and stamping.
Driveway Pavers
Driveway pavers can completely customize your hardscape with unique textures, sizes, and shapes to add a note-worthy hardscape to the front yard landscape. You can also add driveway pavers to concrete driveways as an accent along the edges and to create large square segments.
A driveway can be composed completely of pavers in attractive laying patterns and interesting designs.
With permeable driveway pavers, you never have to endure standing puddles on the driveway again since they allow the puddle water to seep through the small connections of the pavers where it can return to the soil. These pavers are as attractive and durable as standard driveway pavers.
Choosing a driveway design and material can be a significant investment but you will be continually pleased with a custom concrete surface.
Related: How a Retaining Wall Can Bring Style to a Concrete Driveway in the Reno, NV Area
About the Author
A respected leader and influencer in the design/build industry, Ron founded FireSky in 2016. With a quarter-century of experience in landscape architecture, construction, entitlements, real estate development, Ron has led projects for high-profile customers, including Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn, Brenson Communities, Shell Oil, Trammel Crow, FORMA, General Development Inc., and the City of Albuquerque. He chairs the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Design Build PPN.