TYPES OF CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS

When thinking about the variety of materials used for driveways, it’s usually things like tarmac and block paving that most people have in mind. However, a great alternative to these – and one that has actually been around for a long time – is concrete.

A concrete driveway brings with it a whole host of benefits. Firstly, it’s a cost-effective material and can provide an affordable solution for anyone looking to create a simple driveway. And when it needs to be cleaned, that’s made easy, too — a gentle power wash should do the trick.

The second and more obvious reason to opt for a concrete driveway is because of how sturdy it is. If your driveway is going to be home to vehicles, you can use the strength of concrete to get the job done without the worry of denting the surface or creating craters.

Finally, a crucial benefit of concrete for driveways is that it can be relatively quick and easy to install. The mix is simply poured into place and levelled, with any finish you have in mind the only part that really takes time and effort. Once cured, you’ll have the solid base you desire.

To help inspire you and give you a better idea of the range of options you have, we’ve got a short guide on the different types of concrete driveways.

Poured Concrete Driveway

At its most simple, a poured concrete driveway is really all you need if your budget is tight and you don’t want anything fancy. Many people view their driveway as a practical necessity rather than something to get creative with, and this is ideal in those instances.

As with any driveway, you’ll need to create the formworks around the perimeter of the driveway, dig out space for a subbase and then prepare for the concrete pour. Once poured, the concrete should be flattened and levelled. Contraction joints can then be cut in to allow for movement and the curing process can begin.

A standard concrete driveway can then be bordered with stones or bricks if you wish to add a touch of colour or texture.

Brushed Concrete Driveway

To give a standard concrete driveway a more textured finish – something that will be handy if you’re driving vehicles on and off – you can apply a brushed finish to it. All you need to do is follow the standard process for laying a poured concrete driveway and, between cutting in contraction joints and curing, go over the surface with a thick-bristle broom.

This raking effect should be applied as evenly as possible for a smart finish with practical benefits.

Imprinted Concrete Driveway

While a simple concrete pour is fine for some, when you want a more elegant finish for your driveway, it can still be achieved with concrete. Following the usual pouring process, the concrete is levelled and then topped with any desired colour and hardening agent. This allows for mats to be placed onto the concrete to imprint any chosen pattern. Sometimes, this is also known as either a stamped concrete driveway or pressed concrete driveway design.

The two most popular stamped patterns for imprinted concrete driveways are:

Slate Pattern – Giving the classic look of slate tiles without the cost or the upkeep. This is usually paired with a darker colouring to achieve the slate look.

Cobble Pattern – For those who want the charm of cobbles, but not the hassle of individually laying the stones, you can imprint a concrete driveway instead. This is usually paired with lighter or mixed tones for a realistic finish.

Exposed Aggregate Concrete Driveway

A concrete driveway can be given additional texture if you opt for an exposed aggregate driveway. This technique uses an aggregate pour, with the same levelling applied to the surface of the driveway, but a surface retarder is then applied that allows the top layer to be sprayed away, leaving behind the exposed aggregate set into concrete.

Another way to achieve this look is to press aggregates into the surface of poured concrete, but this often leads to looser aggregates, which will deteriorate the look of the driveway over time.

If you’re considering using concrete for your driveway – no matter what finish you desire – look no further than EasyMix Concrete. We deliver concrete, mixed to your specifications, across Hertfordshire, Greater London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northants – and our handy concrete calculator can help you determine how much you need for your order.

For more advice on domestic concrete or to place your order, simply contact us today.