Every homeowner desires that he should have a driveway where he can park his vehicles. The driveway is a preface of our home. It is thus essential to keep the driveway in immaculate form and upgrade it when required despite the material you have used to construct the driveways.
A well-constructed driveway increases the value of your home. These are designed using different materials to suit your requirements. The top materials used to construct driveways are aggregate (gravel), colored concrete, asphalt, and plain concrete. Suggested below are some popular, durable materials to choose from for driveways that will best fit your style and budget.
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Coloured Concrete
Colored concrete driveways add a touch of beauty to your houses, and many companies provide a comprehensive range of coloring alternatives to choose from. They are impressive, durable, and last longer. Even though it is not a very cost-effective solution, the colorful hues of the concrete do augment your residential property’s value.
You can experiment by combining various available coloring options to create an innovative custom color that matches your taste.
Before choosing the color that perfectly suits your driveway, you should consider two vital points before making that decision. First, the color combination should be such that it perfectly matches your driveway and gives it a natural look.
Secondly, popular shades and earthy hues blend in well with the landscape and enhance the exteriors. Darker shades, on the other hand, hide dirt and stains and are easier to maintain.
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Plain concrete
Plain concrete is the most cost-effective material option available to design the driveway. It is the basic form of concrete available. Plain concrete is highly used to create footpaths, patios or pool surrounds, driveways, floors, roads and car parks. The surfaces are usually brush-finished, and you have the option to add color to make them look more classy and stylish.
Its texture is soft, and it gives a traditional look to your home. Plain concrete is designed to create a minimalist look, which is perfect for contemporary homes. They last longer than other options available. These are easy to install and can be replaced easily when required.
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Exposed aggregate driveways
Aggregates such as pebbles, stones, slate, and shells, are embedded on the concrete to give the driveway an extremely attractive look that comfortably blends with the natural surroundings. Various methods such as water washing, abrasive blasting, acid etching, and honing are done to achieve this effect and enhance and protect the beauty of embedded material.
Finally, to protect the finished surface, the sealant material is applied to the surface to give the driveway a glossy and striking finish. Exposed aggregate driveways in Melbourne have become a preferred option for many. Exposed aggregator concrete makes your house look luxurious, and that’s why exposed aggregate becomes a top contender when people want to design their driveways.
One of the factors which make exposed aggregate a preferred option are countless designs and patterns. They are unique, durable and strong, and the pattern easily compliments the entire tone of the house.
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Asphalt driveways
If you are considering installing a new driveway because your current driveway had cracks, and stains then switch over to asphalt. Asphalt is laid over a gravel substrate and is implemented using adhesives that are different from the ones used for concrete.
Asphalt uses tar to combine and is durable if properly installed. It is a fine choice if you want a match the appearance of the driveway with that of the street. It is affordable, easy to repair and maintain and is weather-resistant. Thus asphalt driveways do not crack during winter and are preferred in snowy and icy areas.
Some other types of driveways that have gained popularity are Brick, Cobblestone, Glass and Green driveways.
Conclusion
A properly installed concrete driveway would last for around 25 to 30 years if well maintained. Sealers, decorative arrays, and glossy finish is added to the concrete to spruce up your home. A well maintained and stylish driveway is enough to attract potential buyers of your property. Concrete driveways look elegant, and with a variety of material choices available, you can select the one you prefer the most.
