Driveways have to withstand a lot of wear and tear—from weather to constant vehicle pressure, the concrete must hold up to the forces imposed upon it. If you own an older home and the driveway hasn’t been replaced, or it’s made with non-lasting materials, at some point it will begin to fail and need to be redone. Greenway of Nashville has driveway installers near you with years of experience who are skilled at ensuring your investment lasts for years to come.
What Affects the Durability of a Driveway?
There are several factors affecting the life of your driveway; some are unavoidable, and others are more within your control.
- Location: Climate plays a big role in the length of time your driveway stays in good condition. Here in Nashville, the cold winters combined with the cycle of freezing and thawing place increased stress on a driveway. In cold temperatures, water finds its way into any cracks, then freezes and expands. This worsens any imperfections in the concrete. To help prevent this, residential drainage systems are recommended for offsetting the effects of wet weather. If the area around your driveway tends to have standing water after a rainfall, that opens you up to increased damage to the driveway. Land grading, French drains, and other solutions should be in place to protect the driveway from excess standing moisture.
- Usage: The amount of use a driveway gets also plays a part in how well the path holds up over time. If there is frequent traffic, the surface could wear down more quickly. A concrete or paver surface will hold up to increased vehicle use compared to gravel, but even those have a limit.
- Material: What the driveway is constructed with makes a difference in how well a driveway withstands daily use and the environment. A driveway made from packed gravel or rocks can easily be disturbed by the elements. Excessive rainfall can erode the pieces and move them, creating increasing changes in the smoothness and levelness of the surface. Concrete is far more durable as it’s more difficult to disrupt and won’t be as sensitive. While gravel can easily be moved around by traffic or weather, concrete will stay in place. The key is to have the concrete driveway installed by an experienced contractor, as the ratio of water in the mixture affects how well the concrete cures. Once set, concrete won’t need to be replenished periodically like gravel.
- Weeds and Other Plants: Another issue could be plant growth. In a driveway made of gravel or pavers, it’s easy for weeds to pop up throughout the path. This is unlikely with poured concrete unless there was poor installation or there’s been enough damage for deep cracks and potholes to occur. Worsening plant growth is not only unattractive but affects the integrity of the driveway.
- Quality of Work: Not all driveways are built with the same craftsmanship—if the original installation was done poorly, that means the durability of the material could also be reduced. For instance, if the concrete was not of high quality or was not set correctly, it will not provide the hardiness expected of such material. A driveway must also have a solidly packed foundation. If not, it’s liable to shift or crack.
What Type of Driveway Lasts the Longest?
Concrete is one of the longest-lasting options when it comes to materials for constructing a driveway. You may be asking, “How long does a concrete driveway last?” On average, modern concrete driveways can last as many as 30-40 years with a bit of maintenance. That means replacing your existing driveway will be an expense that pays you back for a long time! Three or four decades of life is far longer than most other home investments, including your roof and water heater.
The durability of concrete is superior to asphalt, which can crumble and require repeated repairs. Gravel driveways are easily dislodged and altered, meaning they will need restructuring and added rocks over time as a way to refresh the surface. Pavers have similar hardiness to concrete but have the drawbacks of weed growth and cost.
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Key Benefits of Concrete Driveways
If that isn’t enough to sway you, consider some of the other benefits of concrete.
Installing a driveway is an expense, but concrete is one of the most cost effective options. In fact, it can have as much as a 75% return on investment, which is not something many home projects can tout. Pavers are far more costly, and while gravel is cheaper, it doesn’t have the durability or curb appeal that concrete does.
Temperature regulation varies between driveway options as well. When summer gets hot and you run out to the mailbox in bare feet, concrete stays cooler than something like asphalt. This can be a very important consideration if you have a dog or children who spend time in the yard; their feet will thank you.
Your driveway will live even longer if you take a little extra time on upkeep as the years go on. The best way to lengthen the life of a concrete driveway is to seal it every 5 years. Whereas asphalt driveways need resealing every 3-5 years, it is optional with concrete, but that one extra step every half decade extends the life of your driveway.
When Should You Replace Your Concrete Driveway?
Driveway installation can be a tricky project if the weather does not cooperate. The weather must be considered when planning the right time to do it. If it’s too cold, the concrete can take longer to set, and the water content of the concrete can freeze, altering the integrity of the material. When it’s too hot out, the concrete may dry too quickly, leading to uneven surfaces. Though it is possible to pour concrete year round, spring is an ideal time in Nashville for a new driveway, as is the summer and fall.
Another consideration is that it could take up to a week for the concrete to set even in the best of weather. You won’t be able to use the driveway during that time, so you wouldn’t want to plan a gathering or any other use of the driveway during that time. Ensuring you have an alternate place to park for a few days may affect when to schedule your project.
If you’re looking for driveway installation near you, Greenway of Nashville serves families and homes throughout the area. Our concrete driveway services range from installations to repairs, with a focus on helping you protect your investment over the long term.
Your local driveway experts at Greenway of Nashville know how to approach a project and accomplish a goal the first time. Your time and energy are valuable—let us take the work off your shoulders. Request a free quote with a guaranteed rate by reaching out through our website or by calling us at (615)-238-4574.
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