Driveways and Paths
Concrete driveways are overrated? No way! With these decorative concrete driveway options, there's no reason for concrete to be boring.
Are concrete driveways overrated? No way! With these decorative concrete driveway options, there’s no reason for concrete to be boring.
Polished concrete driveways
Polished concrete is usually used for indoor surfaces, but more homeowners are considering this shiny decorative option for their driveways. Since polished concrete is easy to maintain, doesn’t seal up moisture, and can resist heavy foot traffic, it’s a popular choice for offices, restaurants, and other establishments. The sleek look of a polished concrete driveway can really amp up a home’s curb appeal since it’s still an unusual choice. If you have an existing concrete driveway that looks boring or worn out, grinding it down and polishing it to an attractive sheen is an affordable option that brings amazing results.
Coloured concrete driveways
There are three main ways to add colour to your concrete driveway: painting, dyeing, and staining. Painting and dyeing both add colour to the concrete through pigments, but since there are issues with paint on driveways cracking or peeling off, dyes are used more often. On the other hand, acid-based stains react with the concrete to produce beautiful colours. Staining concrete is perfect for achieving natural-looking earthy tones, but take note that not all concrete can be stained. For old concrete driveways and exposed aggregate driveways, staining won’t work well.
Aggregate concrete driveways
Sometimes, stripping concrete down can create results that are just as stylish. Exposed aggregate concrete driveways can dress up your driveway by exposing the pebbles or stones mixed with the concrete. This creates a rough, non-slip surface that works well for driveways. Exposed aggregate concrete driveways are also available in many colours, from a beachy sand shade to a really dark grey.
Stamped concrete driveways
If you’re into the look of brick or natural stone driveways but don’t have the budget for them, stamped concrete is a great alternative. Using moulds or stencils and various concrete colouring options, your concrete can achieve the look of brick, cobblestone, slate, wood, and other materials. Concrete stamping is typically done with new concrete driveways when the concrete is still in its plastic state. However, there are also stamped overlays for those who want to restore their aged concrete driveways.
Textured concrete can also be created using special concrete engraving equipment. Apart from imitating natural stone and brick, stamped concrete driveways can also have custom designs and patterns such as hexagons or keystone patterns.