In this article, we will talk about installing the driveways and their expenses or whether this project really worth the investment or not. So, all in all, it is quite obvious that people with this mindset that driveways are pretty easy though compared to bigger projects of concrete, then they might be right but not completely. Since this concrete project sets, it’s on the flag of complexity is very well known.
Driveways are pretty hard to set and deal with, so it is always considered that one mistake in setting the driveway concrete can lead your driveway into a grumpy cracky project in the end.
Most of the driveways are enough to add value to their home decor cost. Plus, this is not anything you can call cheap to make. But, definitely, it can be affordable at different rates and in different shapes, and it is a YES for a solid investment.
Different features can easily affect the look and density of the concrete. So what are those affected features?
By the way, what I mean by extras is that they are the add-on that attaches the value of decoration to your home or property. We can take one example here: sunrooms, though sunrooms are not very efficient in working, can be a nice to have, plus many people want that in their houses.
So far, on the other side of the discussion, expected features are those features that almost all of the houses have; there are many examples for this, and these are like the roof. If we talk about the roof, it is both a necessity and a nice plus. From both perspectives, it is on the positive side.
The potential customer has to buy the house with the roof definitely, and it will not add the cost of the purchasable house in all.
A Home In A Mid-Sized City and the driveways
So for many states, the condition that applies here is space or the people’s preference. If your state you are currently living in gives you a look on the street of small managed constructed houses that do not have enough space for them to have a driveway. So by building one in your house can literally add more value to your house. All you need to do is to manage the space for driveways.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
The concrete driveway should be four inches thick (non-reinforced pavement) for a standard passenger car driveway. However, if you use a concrete driveway for heavier vehicles then the concrete driveway thickness should be 5 inches. The driveway should be sloped towards the street for proper drainage a minimum of 1% (1/8 inch per foot).
Concrete psi for the driveway should be between the 3000 psi to 4000 psi range (pounds per square inch). Usually, large numbers of freeze and thaw cycles outdoors also require a higher psi concrete mix design.
How long for the concrete driveway to cure?
The concrete driveway takes 28 days to dry and holds its full strength. However, it can be used for foot traffic after 24 hours or for the moderate car traffic after 3-7 days because concrete increases in strength very quickly in just a few days.
Driveways in Rural Area
It is a common issue, or you can say a fact that in most of the areas of United States where there is not infrastructure just reached or they are having old built houses, you can see they don’t most likely to use the concrete more often the reason lies behind that is the snowy weather of that region since the concrete can not afford the de-icing salts with no effect on it. So far, the concrete is not preferable in those areas where there is expected to be snow every year.
Concrete Driveways Ideas Video:
So you might be wondering what other options can work best on the alternative place of concrete, so here is the answer that Asphalt and Gravels are the best alternative option for the concrete. These are affordable and have the best effect against the de-icing salts. It does not leave any mark so far on them. People can easily afford them in any area, plus one thing here is that they sometimes do not look much appreciable in the finished product as the concrete does.
A Suburb and the driveways in it.
In the suburban area, where homes are most likely to be made a bit larger than others in the regions so far, it is quite common to have a driveway being built in the outer area of the house since people get to have the most space. Since people have an area so, they are expected to have driveways, and on the contrary, if anyone does not have it, this will cut the house’s value.
In this case, if your home doesn’t already have a concrete driveway, it’s probably a good idea to add one. This will make your home a lot more attractive to potential buyers. Still, it will not necessarily add much more value than its original cost since almost all the houses on the street have driveways, so it is common to be there but not add any extra money to the net cost. Still, of course, it will cut the price if it is not there.
Try to choose the best material for your driveways since it is made in the suburban area. Try to research before you plan to build one, and even if you are investing in one.
We have already discussed three of the materials and their roles according to the different situations and areas. So you can choose one according to your preference.
Most of the time, the story does not play the same role, so the driveways sometimes and in some areas do pay you back at double price, and yes, it is true. But, first, the driveways, so one main thing, and that is it gives a perfect look to your house’s exterior and makes it look like an attractive piece of construction and your hard work.
There are always two cases where if your house does have a great-looking driveway,y its cost will become non-negotiable, which means it can pay you back in double ways. The other condition is that if your neighbors have the driveways and don’t, it will ultimately cut the value of your house. So it will definitely become a stretch for buyers to choose between two houses, one with driveways and the other that does not have one.
Last but obviously not least, if your state does not have the driveways in common, don’t invest directly before doing some good research. Even try to study the latest laws for house construction before you start your construction project, and even so with the investment.
Sometimes, the weather conditions are not suitable for concrete outside the house in an open area, and if that is the case for your state, a new concrete driveway might not do anything for you. If this is the case, you may want to look at other potential alternatives.
What Are The Alternatives To A Concrete for a Driveway?
Gravel and its role in the driveway
Gravel might not be a good mate for expensive vehicles since the exterior it gives after it is constructed may not be as favorable for tires as expected. So, all in all, it is usually looked down upon after it is constructed, maybe by the neighbors or your friends that drive expensive cars.
The gravel is extremely serviceable in many situations.
Gravels in your driveway construction can be an excellent choice if you live in the colder areas of the world, where you expect seasonal snowfalls and chilly weather. Since the de-icing salts for snow will not leave their effects on the gravel and the gravel in your driveways will most likely be in the same condition for a longer time. This is one of the best advantages of gravel to be used in driveways.
While it may not be as nice looking as concrete, it should last as long and be just as useful plus affordable.
Asphalt and its role in Driveways
Like with the other parts of the concrete mixture that can easily with the construction of anything. So, like gravels and portland types of cement, the asphalt is not effective with the de-icing salts, and it has the minimum effects on it.
How to pour concrete driveway?
One other fact says that this should not be poured out in a thick form as the concrete goes in since the concrete goes as thick in pouring form because it is held tightly.
The other thing with this is if you are planning to use asphalt in your driveways, you should be aware that it absorbs heat. Oops! that means you can stand on your driveway without any shoes on. So here, you need to think of this idea of using asphalt in the driveways at least twice.
The hot temperament of asphalt can even bring damage to your thick shoe soles, too; this can be serious sometimes, so be aware of these issues if your state has some high temperatures in the summers.
Besides all other facts, asphalt is the best alternative for concrete, and it can be used for some sleek look and finished product. However, many people prefer this kind of product that is good-looking in the end product. All decision lies on your hand if you want to go with any of the other product you can easily do some research on that according to your choice and you can buy one.
Bricks and their role in Driveways
Brick is an aesthetic and strong choice to go with if your work is done extremely well and is measurable. Bricks are the strong players, and they provide a firm surface and the concrete mixture above it. The duo will allow the surface to stay firm with heavy traffic, even for a longer time.
However, the only thing that remains unchecked is that bricks are not suitable candidates for rough climate conditions. It can be cracky if used in the outside area and barely covered with a heavy concrete layer. That is only why it needs to be converted when used in the open area since these are not strong enough to fight against thunder or stormy rains.
The other thing is the brick driveways in construction. However, it is not any hard and fast rule for all the states since many states have different environmental conditions to go for the brick driveways, and these can be their best option to go for if they are planning for the driveways. Plus, be extra careful with all the material you are using since precautionary measures can guarantee your safety, so safety comes first.
Tips: Always ask for help from your friends or family so that you are not alone in constructing your fence posts; though this project is pretty easy, it can be a great help if you already ask someone to come over for assistance.
From 2022 onwards, Mark has also been contributing author of home repair articles at nimblefreelancer.com.
Read more on Mark Brown's biography page.
Contact Mark: mark@nimblefreelancer.com
