Installing Concrete Driveways Has 5 Major Benefits

You might have heard that concrete driveways have a reputation for being ugly and boring, but nothing could be farther from the truth. They last longer than asphalt and don’t require any long-term maintenance or chemical treatments. Concrete is also more attractive than you might think—its rough texture and solidity make it perfect for modern homes, especially those with minimalist designs. 

And even though concrete driveways are more expensive up front than asphalt ones, they’re actually a better value over time: Once installed, they require very little upkeep while lasting decades longer than an asphalt surface would. So if you’re installing a new driveway or patio (or both), consider concrete instead of its less durable competitor!

1. Customizable

Concrete driveways are no longer grey and flat, but you can customize them with different designs and colors. For example, you can get the same brick or cobblestone driveway look with the help of stamped concrete.

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2. Durability

Most concrete driveways last up to 30 years. However, if you use a good concrete mix while installing and know how to care and which ice melt is better for concrete, it can extend its life up to 50 years.

3. Easy Maintenance

Concrete driveway maintenance is relatively easier. Sometimes you may wash it with water pressure. Having a concrete sealer provides a protective layer to keep it safe from water or moisture absorption. A sealer also protects from harmful effects of the salt and chloride-based ice melt products.

4. Reaction to heat and light

In summer, asphalt highway absorbs more heat and becomes sticky, whereas the sun will not affect concrete. Also, asphalt does not reflect enough light at night and needs more artificial light; comparatively, concrete will not require that much light.

5. Easy to Remove Snow and Ice

Concrete driveways are more suitable in the region with a colder climate and snow and ice during winters. Also, removing snow and ice from concrete driveways is easier compared to asphalt, as asphalt absorbs more water and is moister.

Why Does Salt Melt Ice?

If you’re wondering ‘why does salt melt ice, it’s because of the chemical reaction between them. Ice salt is made of two elements: sodium and chlorine. When ice salt touches the ice, the sodium dissolves in water molecules and combines with the hydrogen atoms on the surface of the ice crystals to make saltwater (brine). This brine causes more heat than normal to be released from each water molecule as they break down into smaller particles. This causes a thermal reaction that melts them all together and creates a slush.

Conclusion

It’s clear that concrete driveways have a lot of benefits to offer. Whether you’re looking to save money or just want your driveway to last longer, concrete is the way to go. But don’t take our word for it – try it out yourself!.

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