PROS AND CONS OF VARIOUS CONCRETE STYLES FOR A DRIVEWAY

Deciding on a new concrete driveway takes a little forethought and planning, so it is prudent to take a considered approach as to which style is going to be best for your property. You might be looking to use concrete block paving or pattern-imprinted concrete, or perhaps you are considering aggregate or textured finish designs. There really is a great variety out there these days, but you need to weigh up the pros and cons of the different styles.

CONCRETE PAVERS
The plus side of any concrete style has to be its durability, as concrete lasts a lot longer than other driveway materials such as tarmac or gravel. This is the case for concrete block paving where there are many different materials, colours and textures on the market to suit any design and personal preference. The advantage of this style of concrete driveway is that if you need to gain access to any drains or underground piping, you can easily lift up the blocks and put them back with minimal fuss and effort.

Concrete pavers are also relatively easy to maintain, and you can choose the pattern, colour and shape to suit the aesthetics of your design. They are very hardwearing, and keeping them clean and free of dirt, through sweeping and washing down, will have them looking really good for many years.

You can mix and match the designs to suit your property, and if there is a problem with one or two of the pavers later on, perhaps from wear and tear, then it is relatively inexpensive to remove the damaged pavers and replace them without you having to resurface the whole driveway.

On the less positive side, there could be an issue around the installation of pavers, particularly if the correct sub base has not been used. When areas on a driveway show signs of sinking or moving, it is generally not down to the materials used, but what the pavers have been laid on. To ensure this will not be the case, you need to use the services of a professional concrete driveway installation firm, who will also know how to allow for proper drainage and “run off” for rainwater so the area does not become waterlogged.

TEXTURED CONCRETE STYLES
If you have a larger area that needs to be covered quickly, then poured concrete with a textured brushed or imprinted finish is a really great way to do this. A layer of concrete is poured over the appropriate base, a colour is applied, and then whilst the concrete is still wet, a patterned finish is applied to create the required effect.

On the plus side, this gives you a durable driveway quickly, one that will last for a number of years and that can be purpose designed to match the look of your home or office building. This style is aesthetically pleasing, great to walk on (it will remain cool even on the hottest days), and you can stain the concrete with a colour that suits your requirements.

However, if you need to gain access to drains or pipework underneath the drive, then this might not be the appropriate style for you to have across the entire surface of your drive. You should also check with the installation team with regards to how often the sealant used to protect the colour that you have chosen needs to be reapplied, as this can wear off on areas that are subject to heavy traffic.

Overall, today’s concrete styles for driveways really do make the most of your kerbside appeal, so have a look around and speak to your local installer today.

SO YOU WANT TO INSTALL A DRIVEWAY? HERE ARE 3 THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER

If you are planning on installing a driveway, perhaps after renovating your home or having admired the neighbour’s concrete or textured finish approach to their property, there are three factors to consider before going ahead. You need to think about the use of the drive, by both vehicles and pedestrians, about the shape and design that best suits your needs, and about the building materials for the driveway, whether it will be exposed aggregate, brushed concrete or another choice.

1. VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN USAGE

First of all, think about the number and types of vehicles that will be using the driveway, as this will inform a number of other factors, starting with the length and width of the drive. An average family car will need a driveway that is about 10 feet wide, but for bigger vehicles, you will have to factor in a larger area. If you are planning on storing other items, such as a camper trailer or a small boat, then this needs to be taken into account also.

The length of the driveway depends on where the garage is situated on your plot of land, or how far away from the road your property is. You need to make sure that cars or other vehicles can be parked on your driveway without encroaching onto the pavement, which can pose a hazard for pedestrians. If your home is on a corner plot, think about bringing the driveway in from the other street because you could get a wider drive, and it might be a safer option.

2. SHAPE AND DESIGN

If you are on a busy road, then you will need to think about having some sort of a turning circle or a T-shape junction if you have the room. This will mean that you can pull off the road, park, and turn your vehicle around easily so that you are facing the roadway and not having to reverse out.

Safety implications should be brought to bear at this point, and you might also want to have a place where you can safely load and unload children, for example. You need to have good all-around vision when it comes to moving the car in case there are children in the way, so a space that leads onto a pathway or porch entrance where children can stand could be important to you.

You want to choose a design that will complement the property it leads to, as well as that blends in with the surrounding area. Curved driveways, although a little trickier to manoeuvre around, provide immediate visual interest and “kerb appeal”, and unique gardens work very well with this design.

If you live in an area that has a conservation order or other special requirements, then you will need to check with your local Council Planning Officer for any planning restrictions beforehand.

3. CHOICE OF BUILDING MATERIALS

This is linked not only to budgetary constraints, but also to the design, overall look and daily usage of your driveway. Concrete is a very popular material for driveways, it being very durable and easy to maintain, and a professional installer would be able to offer up a number of shapes, textures and finishes to suit all tastes. Exposed aggregate driveways provide even more choices when it comes to the finish, and will complement any form of architectural style.

With the above three factors in mind, talk to your professional driveway installation team today about your options, and you will be on your way to a brand new driveway in no time.

Creative Ways To Dress Up Your Driveway

There are a number of creative ways in which you can dress up your driveway that do not have to involve a lot of time and effort, and that can be undertaken by your local concrete and exposed aggregate driveway professional. Textured finishes, coloured aggregates and polished concrete have generated a range of ideas that, when put into practice, complement and enhance the surrounding buildings in addition to providing practical access.

Gone are the days of plain grey concrete driveways as the choices available to consumers, using modern techniques, materials and colouring, continue to develop for both residential and commercial properties. Here are some tips to help you create a driveway that not only is durable and hardwearing, but that stands the test of time.

TEXTURED FINISH DRIVEWAYS

Through the use of different texturing or brush stroke finishes, concrete resurfacing experts can dress up the surface of a concrete driveway so that it looks like an entirely different product. Patterns such as layers of concentric circles can be made using steel trowels or wooden floats, and if the building has more of a rectangular look to it, then this can also be echoed in the finish of the concrete. It is important that whatever style or finish is chosen for the driveway that it blend in well with the overall theme of the property and its surroundings.

For an older, more traditional building, concrete can be stamped to resemble flagstones for a more appropriate look. Conversely, it can be stencilled for an ultra-modern design. There is also the option of going for a more three-dimensional look and having “grout lines” and “pavers” carved into the concrete, or using stencils to make them a slightly different colour so they resemble stone paving, for example.

COLOURED CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS

This is where your creativity can really come into play, as the range of surface colourisers is ever increasing. Choosing a colour that matches the walls of your home or office block makes a bold design statement for your property, while concrete spray coatings or acid etch staining will give two very different looks to the overall finish. A uniform single colour may be applied or, if you are looking to use a particular design or logo, you can even consider having it stencilled onto the driveway. If you like the look of brick weave, but a concrete driveway is much more practical, then consider creating a herringbone brick pattern or basket weave using these colour techniques.

EXPOSED AGGREGATE DRIVEWAYS

If you live in an area that is surrounded by high-rise buildings or trees that block out the sunlight, then having polished or decorative surface aggregates pressed into your concrete driveway will help to bounce light off the surface. This makes it a better reflective surface, and you can choose from a range of coloured rock types depending on your preference and style. Some contractors use a variety of recycled and tumbled coloured glass, which, for houses or offices with lots of glass exteriors such as windows, doors or decorative glass walls, complements the overall design very effectively.

Whatever your preference, it is very easy to dress up your driveway and get the trendy and stylish look you have always wanted, secure in the knowledge that it will provide a hardwearing and non-slip surface for many years to come.

DRIVEWAY SAFETY: HOW TO PREVENT CHILD ACCIDENTS

Your new concrete driveway is not an extension of your children’s play area, a rule that, sadly, many families in Australia fail to enforce, as according to statistics, one child a week gets accidentally run over in their home driveway. It is usually the lack of safety awareness and their inquisitive nature that bring younger children into contact with moving vehicles, or that has children running around cars when people either arrive or are about to leave, which is the main problem. Where young children are concerned, concrete driveways in Melbourne need to be treated with the same level of caution as other public highways.

RISKS YOUNG CHILDREN FACE ON CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS

In the short period of time taken for a driver to get into their car, start up the engine and reverse their vehicle out of the driveway, a young child could have moved from a safe position and put themselves in the path of the car or van. When sitting in their vehicle, a driver can be seated with their eye level above the height of small children. If a child gets directly behind you or is off to one side, it can be almost impossible to see them, let alone hear them once the engine is turned on. Drivers are all too aware of “blind spots” when the vehicle is in motion, but the same blind spots apply when you’re preparing to exit your driveway too.

Also, if you have not had your concrete driveway installed by a professional company, after a while the cement and service could start to crumble and crack. This could present you with a higher risk of trips and falls, and small children or parents carrying toddlers or babies are at a higher risk of tumbling over, causing damage to limbs or, even worse, a head injury.

DRIVEWAY SAFETY TIPS

If you are thinking about installing a new concrete driveway, then take the time to decide on the right design and surface texture. Creating a non-slip finish will help reduce slips and falls when people are getting in and out of their vehicles, or when others are approaching the home or business premises on foot. If it is your home driveway, then consider using decorative concrete paving for the pedestrian or “safe area”. If you have a young family, this can be a clear marker for young children as the place to stand when waving off visitors, or before being allowed to get into the family car.

Using a professional to install a concrete driveway also means a harder, smoother surface without any jagged edges that could cause smaller children to trip and cut their hands and legs. In the long run, the concrete will also remain more durable and less prone to cracks or crevices that can cause such trips and falls. If the driveway was already there when you bought your property, and it is in a poor state of repair, then think about taking up the old surface and getting a professional concrete driveway set down.

Educate your children, as well as all the car drivers in the house, in the ways of driveway safety. This means that before getting into the car and driving off, drivers should walk around the vehicle to make sure children are not behind it or under any parked vehicles. Consider putting up a notice that says “Slow down – children in driveway” at the entrance to your home so that you are reminded to check before pulling into the driveway, as will be any visitors to your premises.

Keep a hold on young children’s hands when near driveways, parking bays or whenever moving vehicles are about, and make sure that they are always accompanied by an adult when getting in and out of cars. If you have parking sensors on the car that you drive, pay attention to them when reversing in or out of your driveway.

Following these simple hints and tips could save a child from serious injury or worse, and they will quickly become a good habit that, hopefully, others will start to emulate.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A DRIVEWAY?

Take a few minutes to consider the current vehicular or pedestrian access to your residential or business property. In that time, make a mental note of the amount of traffic, whether by footfall or cars and vans, that make their way to the perimeter of your property. Stand back and look at the “kerb appeal” and overall appearance of your driveway, and you will begin to see the benefits of having or installing a new concrete or exposed aggregate driveway in your Melbourne property. The advantages of a textured finish concrete driveway, for example, with adjoining concrete patio walkways, will add value to the property as well as make it visually appealing and reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. There are a number of benefits to having a driveway, including the following:

✔ Ease of access and safety features
✔ Functionality
✔ Low maintenance
✔ Aesthetically pleasing

EASE OF ACCESS AND SAFETY FEATURES

If your property adjoins a busy road, it is important that you have room to pull off the road, away from the traffic, before getting out of your vehicle. Most families these days have more than one vehicle so having a designated area to park the family car, or trailer tent, as well as motorbikes or bicycles is really important. From a safety point of view, you want your children to be able to get in and out of the property safely. Trying to unload shopping bags or suitcases after a holiday, for example, with small children who are exposed to passing traffic is not a good idea. It is much better to be able to pull into a driveway, park safely, and unload your car or van. Property owners who don’t install concrete or exposed aggregate driveways, or who don’t even have a makeshift surface on their driveway, expose themselves and those around them to the increased risk of trips and falls. It might be difficult for parents with a young baby to get the pram or stroller to the front door, and if vehicles churn up the area around the house, then the surface becomes slippery and dangerous to walk upon. For those with mobility problems, having a concrete driveway installed will make access so much easier for them as well.

FUNCTIONALITY

Properties that are built on slopes will benefit from a durable driveway that can be angled so rainwater falls away from the home or office, and not into the foundations of the structure, causing damp and subsidence. A properly laid out driveway will last for years, and makes a suitable outdoor storage area for all the family’s transportation and leisure vehicles. A driveway also means that people entering the home (or office environment) are not walking in mud or dirt that will end up being brought into the property.

LOW MAINTENANCE

Unlike having a grassed area leading to the property, a textured finish concrete or aggregate driveway does not need mowing, watering and constant care and attention. There is a reason why many structures are made of concrete in the business and industrial world, and that is because of its durability and the relatively small amount of time needed in caring for it. Concrete will not suffer from potholes or cracking, and apart from the odd removal of stains caused by oil from vehicles, will last a long time and still look good.

AESTHETICALLY PLEASING

You will have spent a lot of money on your home and you want it to look good and increase in value. A good driveway that complements the theme and colour of your build will not only be visually pleasing, but also add to the sale price of your house. Unkempt grass verges, cracked paving stones and mismatched paving slabs will turn off any potential buyer. These are just a few reasons why you should invest in your driveway, and in the long run you will be able to reap the benefits.

PART 2: HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT CONCRETE DRIVEWAY CONTRACTOR

Once you have decided which type of concrete driveway or patio finish is the right one for your home or office, the next step is to ensure you hire the right concrete driveway contractor within the Melbourne area. Although you might be tempted to use a non-professional for the job, there are pros and cons to doing so.

Pros of using a non-professional

It is often the cost factor that tempts homeowners and businesses to employ an amateur to install their concrete or exposed aggregate surfacing, and some of these amateurs can offer to do the job very quickly. However there is often a reason for the reduction in time and this is one of the negatives when it comes to using this type of contractor.

Cons of using a non-professional

Although you only get to see the surface of the concrete driveway or patio finish, it is the layers underneath that provide strength and stability. This means preparation of the ground underneath, including digging and levelling the ground, applying a membrane or geo-sheet if the earth is soft, putting in a sub-base as the main load bearer, and adding a bedding layer of sand before the paving layer. Finally, the concrete is finished off with a texture or aggregate and possibly colouring, all of which takes time to ensure it is completely done up to a professional standard.

A non-professional may try to skimp on some of the steps in order to save time and money, but it won’t be until you are a few months into using the driveway that you notice cracks or crumbling in the finish, and you become aware of underlying problems. A non-professional will probably not have the correct heavy-duty equipment or specialised tools needed to complete the job properly, and could end up carrying out the work without first ensuring that it conforms to any local council requirements, including planning permission or meeting the standards of Building Control.

Selection criteria to consider when choosing the right concrete driveway contractor

Start by talking to neighbours or relatives who have had new concrete driveways or patio finishes carried out by contractors in the Brighton, Toorak, Kew or Surrey Hills area. Look at the work that has been carried out, particularly if it was a few years ago, to see if it has stood the test of time. Check with your local Council to see if they have a list of approved contractors that they work with as well, and see if you can get a look at some of their work.

Check the condition of the concrete; if it has been incorrectly mixed or not cured properly then holes and cracks will start to appear. If intact, look at the overall finish of the work. On textured finishes the work should be even and free from any imprints, which shows the contractor failed to properly protect the surface during the curing of the cement. Uneven patio edges are also a giveaway of lack of attention to detail, and if joints are not placed less than 10 feet apart to control cracking, then problems can occur and cracks will appear in random places.

Current references should also be checked wherever possible, and then you need to get a couple of quotes, making sure they include the following:

✔ Site preparation and excavation
✔ Removal of old debris
✔ Slab thickness
✔ Surface finishes
✔ Tints/colours
✔ Replacement of any damaged turf/surrounding vegetation

Finally, if you can get a copy of their current liability insurance policy number, which you can verify, and if they are a verified member of a professional body relating to their occupation, then you will have covered all the angles needed to make the right choice for your job.

All you have to do then is place your order for a new concrete or raised aggregate driveway, and sit back and relax!

PART 1: HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT CONCRETE DRIVEWAY CONTRACTOR

First impressions count so when viewing the approach to your home or office, check on the condition and look of the concrete or textured aggregate surface. If the overall look is tired and dated, or if there are potholes and uneven surfacing due to damage from vehicles or the weather, it is time to call in one of Melbourne’s professional concrete driveway contractors. There are several good contractors in the Kew, Brighton and Surrey Hills area who will install excellent and durable concrete driveways and patio finishes, but it is important to know how to choose the right professional.

Equally important is knowing which kind of concrete paving materials are available and if they are going to be right for the design of your property. In Part 1 of this article, we are going to be looking at the different types of concrete paving available. Part 2 will review the selection criteria required when choosing a concrete driveway contractor, including the pros and cons of not selecting a professional to do the job.

Different types of concrete driveways

Textured finish

Concrete is very often the first choice for a driveway because of its durability, its value for money and the fact that it can be produced in a range of finishes and different colours. A textured finish is carried out by the concrete finisher and can often be divided into the following:

✔ Float and Trowel Finishes
✔ Stamped Concrete
✔ Stencilling Concrete
✔ Broom Finishes
✔ Rock Salt Finishes

Float and trowel finishes are patterns that are made on the concrete prior to its setting hard, and different textures are created depending on the tool used to make the pattern. Steel trowels give a smooth or medium finish but wood floats will offer up a coarser texture depending on the preference of the client. Stamped concrete refers to concrete that has been designed to look like bricks, tiles, slates or flagstones. For an alternative to decorative stamping, stencilling concrete may also be an option, or for a simple non-slip surface, finishing off with a coarse bristled broom will give you a textured finish. Finally, water softener crystals can be embedded into fresh concrete, a roller then presses the crystals into the concrete, and once set the surface is washed so the crystals dissolve, leaving behind small holes.

Exposed aggregate

Coloured concrete

Staining concrete surfaces is a technique that is fairly new in the world of installing concrete driveways but there are two main types of stains, namely surface colourisers and acid-etch stains. Chemical or acid-etch staining delivers chemicals to the upper surface of the concrete causing a colour reaction with the lime content of the concrete. Surface colourisers deliver a stain pigment that is deposited in the pores of the concrete.

Now that we have reviewed the different types of concrete driveway materials available, we are going to be turning our attention in Part 2 of this article to choosing the right contractor to install it. Stay tuned for this article which you can check out in 2 weeks time.

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Author: AWD Digital