Concrete continues to be the first choice for homeowners looking to have their driveways redone —properties like greater strength, durability and the need for little maintenance make it the optimum choice for this purpose. While gravel and asphalt are other cheaper materials that can be used and, the superior properties of concrete still make it the more preferred choice.

Listed below are the pros and cons of using concrete in driveways:

Notable Pros of Concrete Driveways:

Affordable and Durable:

Relatively cheaper than materials like brick, cobblestone and concrete pavers; concrete’s longevity is every reason why it delivers a greater return on investment than most of its counterparts. There’s no need for frequent repairs anymore; a one-time investment in a concrete driveway, with proper maintenance, will most likely last you as long as 50 years (if not more!).

Low Maintenance:

A concrete driveway requires virtually no maintenance, adding to the affordability that it has to offer. All you need to do is pressure wash it every few years and you’re good for another couple of years! Concrete is also less susceptible to spillage of oils and gasoline; these spills can, however, ruin the aesthetic appeal of the driveway by leaving obvious stains.

Personalized Look

Concrete driveways not only look professional and polished, but can also be stained in various colors. There’s a wide range of colors and decorative elements available for concrete compared to any other material, which means that you can personalize the look of your driveway and style it however you want!

Fit for Summers and Winters

If stained in a light color, concrete remains cool during hot summer months which makes it pleasant to walk on with bare feet (especially good for children who love walking around without shoes!). Speaking of winters, it’s very easy to remove snow from concrete driveways—an advantage that’ll sound extra-appealing to you if you’ve known the trouble of shoveling snow.

The Cons of Concrete Driveways:

Difficult to Repair:

Concrete can’t be patched up or repaired so easily. Although it takes many years before concrete starts to crack, but once it does, it can’t be mended. The only way to deal with a crack is to remove the concrete altogether.

Stains easily:

The natural light color of concrete makes it more susceptible to staining, and stains like those of oil and tires are extremely difficult to remove from it. The stains are also more obvious because of the light color and require a lot of time and perhaps a cleaning agent to get rid of them.

Requires Hard Labor:

Concrete isn’t a DIY material that you can lay out on your own. The task of building a concrete driveway is labor intensive and requires professional installation.

If you’re looking for concrete services near you, check out Y.O.R Construction and Investment, Inc. It’s a construction company in Los Angeles that offers ADU services along with various other exemplary construction services. To reach out to us, visit our contact page or call us on 1 888-457-7746.