Concrete Driveway Services to Enhance Your Home

When it comes time to install, replace or repair your driveway, few materials are better than concrete. Customizable, durable, long-lasting and attractive, concrete is the perfect choice for boosting the curb appeal of your property. Ensuring concrete driveway services meet your preferences and needs, however, requires a little more work than just pointing out the problem or choosing the material. Instead, you’ll need to consider factors such as the project’s design, costs and timeline. 

The best way to make sure your concrete driveway repair or installation goes smoothly is by engaging the services of a skilled contracting company like Blue Lizard Services. No matter the size of the project, our team will work with you to determine your preferences and constraints, as well as the needs of your home. However, before work can begin, you should understand what concrete driveway services are, as well as what they can do for your property.

What are Concrete Driveway Services?

In a nutshell, concrete driveway services include the removal, repair, and replacement or installation of concrete driveways. While driveways are generally considered to have a singular purpose—that is, providing a paved path for parking your car or smoothly driving into your garage—they can be so much more. A well-installed and maintained driveway boosts your property value and curb appeal through its longevity, weather resistance and aesthetic appeal. And with the various colors, textures and finishes available through customized concrete services, your driveway can truly complement your home, no matter the style. 

When it comes to engaging a concrete driveway service, how do you know what you’re looking for? The first and most important thing to consider is the state of your current driveway. Cracks, root damage, uneven surfaces, stains and discoloration can all compromise the appearance and/or structural integrity of your driveway. Depending on factors such as the age of your driveway and the extent of the damage, you may decide to request one of several concrete services, including:

• Repairs. Contractors will fill cracks and holes with specialized materials, such as a concrete patching compound or concrete filler. 
• Resurfacing. While major damage cannot be solved by resurfacing, worn and pitted concrete which is still structurally sound may benefit from this refresh to its appearance. Your driveway will be cleaned and any small divots filled before a resurfacing compound is spread over the top. 
• Replacement. In short, this involves the demolition and removal of your existing driveway, as well as the professional installation and finishing of a new driveway. 

Types of Custom Concrete Driveway Designs

If you’re installing a new driveway or replacing an existing one, there is no shortage of driveway styles for you to choose from. Some common types of custom concrete driveways to consider include:

1. Stamped or stenciled

Stamped concrete is achieved through the use of imprints and coloring methods such as stains. These imprints are pressed into still-wet concrete in order to create specific patterns, replicating materials such as brick, cobblestone, tile, slate and even hardwood. Color is then added to make the mimicry even more realistic. 

Nonadhesive stencils can also be used to add unique, customized designs to the surface of your concrete. Like stamped concrete, stencils can help you replicate other materials, and color can be added to alter its appearance even further. As an added benefit, the final product is not only attractive, but incredibly durable, as there are no seams for weeds to grow or water to intrude through. 

2. Polished

A sleek and attractive option for modern homes, polished concrete is achieved through the use of a series of grinding tools, each one finer than the last. The driveway is then polished with a finishing treatment for a high-gloss shine. While polished concrete can achieve the luxurious appearance you may be looking for from your hardscaping, it may also be prone to blemishes, making regular maintenance necessary. 

3. Stained and integral pigments

Concrete can be colored in a number of ways, including stains and integral pigments. Stains can be used on new and existing concrete, and are available in two forms: acid-based or water-based. Acid-based stains are reactive mixtures which are absorbed into concrete, and are typically able to create earth tones such as brown, blue and green. Water-based stains are nonreactive mixtures which sink into the surface pores of your concrete. While they may be less durable, they are also available in a wider range of colors. 

Integral pigments can only be used on freshly poured concrete. Pigments are added to the concrete before it is placed so that the color can be evenly distributed throughout the material. As such, it cannot be worn away over time as the driveway is utilized. Additionally, like acid-based stains, integral pigments typically come in earth tones. 

4. Exposed aggregate

Once cement is placed, the top layer is removed in order to expose the aggregate. That is, granular materials such as crushed rock which are an essential component in concrete. Decorative materials such as glass, shells and colorful pebbles can also be used in order to increase the visual appeal of your installation. 

5. Salted 

A salt concrete finish involves adding salt to uncured concrete and pressing the grains in with a roller. Once the concrete sets, the salt is washed away, revealing a unique pattern. The appearance of your new driveway will depend on factors including the size of the salt crystals, the amount of salt used and the distribution of the material. 

6. Broom finished

This finishing method is exactly what it sounds like—a broom is brushed over the surface of the concrete to create a unique texture comprised of shallow grooves. Not only is it a simple and subtle decorative addition, but it can also serve a useful function. That is, helping to make your driveway slip-resistant during the rainy season. 

7. Plain

Particularly appropriate for modern homes, one option for your concrete driveway is to simply do nothing. No colorants or textures, just the smooth light-grey finish of freshly poured concrete. While it may seem plain, it may also be well-suited to the design of your home. As an added benefit, plain concrete may be the most cost-effective option. 

How Can Concrete Driveway Services Benefit You and Your Property?

So, what are some of the benefits you can gain from working with a concrete driveway service? Some of the pros of installing a concrete driveway include:

• Longevity. When properly maintained, concrete driveways can last for around 20 to 30 years, if not longer.
• Durability. Concrete is typically resistant to damage from heat, cold and rain, which is particularly important in the hot, humid Louisiana climate.
• Cost-effective. While concrete driveways can be expensive to install, the low maintenance needs, long lifespan and boost to your property value may provide a substantial return on your investment.
• Aesthetics. With a wide range of customization options available, concrete driveways can be personalized to suit any style of home. It also gives you the chance to make your front yard truly unique through the thoughtful use of colors, textures and finishes. 

Contact Blue Lizard Services and Take Advantage of Our Expert Concrete Services Today

If your driveway is stained, damaged or reaching the end of its lifespan, it’s time to call for concrete driveway services. Whatever you’re looking for—whether it be repairs, resurfacing or even a completely new driveway—skilled concrete contractors can provide. And when it comes to driveway repairs and replacements in Louisiana, Blue Lizard Services is the company for you. With over 20 years of experience providing concrete pumping services and crafting custom concrete installations, we can turn any outdoor space into a work of art. So if you are looking to enhance your home through custom concrete driveway services, give us a call or send us a message to schedule a consultation today.