Concrete Driveways
A quick and easy driveway
When you are installing a new driveway or replacing an old one, one of the best options to choose is concrete. These concrete driveways are easy to design, set up, and pour. While you can do it yourself, it is best to hire professional concrete companies. Professionals can do it faster, with better quality and the right mix of concrete to make sure your new driveway lasts for years. What is the best concrete to use for driveways? When you are looking at going with a plain concrete driveway, you need a strong concrete mixture to handle all the weight and activities that occur throughout its lifetime. The best concrete is not just a thick slab but one that has the right psi level to handle all those activities. Even a 5 to 6-inch thickness, which is ideal, needs a mixture that can produce 3500 psi compressive strength to last for decades. Then to make this mix even stronger, you can add different materials for the concrete to grab onto and build up its strength. What are the cons of a concrete driveway? One of the biggest negatives about pouring a concrete driveway is the weather. Concrete needs to be poured under ideal conditions or it can lose its integrity or not setup correctly. You need warm weather, preferably sunny conditions, to do the pour and wait for it to set. Cold weather is not conducive to this project nor is rain, hail, or sleet. Another con is using too much water. This can happen to anyone at any time. If you misjudge the water-to-cement ratio then you end up weakening the concrete. When this happens your driveway will not last as long. Your mixing of the water and cement has to be just right. A final negative would be that concrete is harder to repair than other driveway construction materials. Does the concrete driveway need rebar? Not necessarily. Concrete, if thick enough can hold up fairly well without it. It may not last as long as those driveways with rebar included in its construction. However, it is a very good idea to include rebar in building your driveway. The concrete will be stronger and more resistant to damage when you include this metal bar. If you feel rebar is too expensive to use, you can use other metal rods as are placement. Just do not expect the driveway to be as strong when you make substitutions. When you are planning this project for your home, etc., give our company, Silver Spring Masonry, a call. Our years of experience have provided us with the right knowledge to help you make the right decisions for your concrete driveway. Plus, if you do not want to do it yourself, we are fully equipped to handle every stage of the driveway construction. Our rates are very reasonable so call us today and make an appointment for a free estimate. Costs will vary depending on driveway size, etc. |
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