Concrete driveways can be poured by homeowners, but this is not an easy task. It is important to have enough time because concrete quickly hardens once it is poured. This is why professionals are often able to quickly excavate, prepare forms, pour and finish concrete surfaces. A professional crew can finish the job in a matter days. It takes homeowners a week to prepare and excavate, and another day to pour and finish. If the homeowner is brave enough to pour his concrete himself, it is vital to have a group willing and able-bodied workers on hand.
Geographic location determines the cost of labor and materials. The labor costs for materials and labor are more expensive in urban areas than elsewhere. There are some regions that don't allow concrete driveway installation year round. This means that demand and expenses can rise during regular seasons.
Colored and stamped concrete, which is weather resistant and durable, is the best choice for adding the high-end look and feel of stone, brick or wood to patios and pool decks as well as driveways, walkways, and courtyards.
Heated driveways have been popularized in colder climates, where there is often a lot snow and ice. You can keep your driveway safe by installing a radiant heating unit under it to prevent ice from building up. A heated driveway typically costs $10 to $20 per sq. foot. Concrete is not able to withstand frigid temperatures. Heating the concrete can increase the lifespan of your driveway. It's an excellent investment and selling point.
Sealing your concrete driveway will help keep it in good shape longer. It will prevent cracks and protect your driveway from chemical de-icing chemicals. Some contractors will include it in their quote automatically. If you are unsure, ask. Sealing a driveway will cost you between $0.50 and $2.50 on average. Sealing a driveway with a specialty stain is required to protect the color.
A few additional things to keep in mind when budgeting for concrete driveway prices. It is possible that the terrain will require extra work or materials in order to ensure a stable driveway. You may also need specialty designs at an additional expense.
Stamping is typically done on newly poured concrete. An overlay that is stamped can be applied to existing concrete. This will give it the same look as regular stamped concrete. Learn more about stamped overlays for concrete.
It is not uncommon for new driveways to require extra work in order to prepare the ground for concrete pouring. Trees, rocks, and uneven ground will all be removed. If the terrain slopes naturally from the house to a street, the contractor will grade the driveway to ensure drainage. The cost of any heavy equipment needed during site preparation is extra.
These materials are either poured in a mold or sanded into the desired shape and dimension. Some materials and designs can be much more affordable than others. You will find something that suits your budget.
Heated driveways are becoming more popular in areas with colder climates and lots of snow and ice. To prevent ice buildup, a radiant heating system can be installed underneath your driveway. A heated driveway can cost anywhere from $10 to $20 per square feet. Heating concrete to extend the life of the driveway is a great investment.
Concrete can look quite dull, even though it is easy to color and stamp.
It is best to avoid using deicing sodium on stamped concrete, particularly during the first winter after installation. Deicers can cause major surface damage (primarily spalling and scaling) by forcing the thawing/refreezing of moisture. Concrete can be chemically attacked with ammonium and sulphates. Products that contain ammonium nutrites or ammoniumsulphates are particularly harmful. They will cause less damage than salt rock (sodium chlorineide) and calcium chloride but they can cause severe damage to plants and metal corrosion. Sand can be used as traction. Learn more about how to maintain concrete drives and the effects that deicing salts can have on sealer performance.
Stamped concrete can be combined with other decorative concrete elements including exposed aggregate or acid staining.
Later, platform stickers would be made of aluminium or sheet metal. Bill Stegmeier, founder of Stegmeier Company, discovered in 1956 that a powder used to enhance concrete's antiquing properties also prevented concrete stamps adhering to it. This opened up new possibilities.