When it comes to home aesthetics, driveways are typically neglected. It’s a shame, because a drab-looking driveway can ruin the curb appeal of an otherwise attractive home. At the very least, a driveway usually doesn’t measure up to a well-maintained lawn or a colorful landscape. However, that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.
The cost doesn’t have to stifle you, either. There are ways to make your driveway the envy of the neighborhood while keeping your budget reasonable. It’s all about understanding your driveway and how best to treat it. Concrete driveways in Orlando deserve top-notch care. These are some ways you can give your driveway a makeover without overspending.
Repairing Cracks
If your driveway is full of cracks, it doesn’t mean you have to replace it entirely. It’s much more affordable to fix the cracks. Slabjacking is a cost-effective process of driving holes into concrete and filling them with a cement solution. It helps to remedy the soil solutions that caused the cracks in the first place.
You need to act fast if you see cracks. These can be harder to deal with over time, eventually reaching the point where slabjacking won’t make a meaningful difference. More severe damage, such as massive breakage in the concrete, will require professional forms of intervention.
Staining
Staining your concrete driveway is a great way to upgrade its appearance. You can give it a much shinier appearance without making it look tacky. There are two main options for staining: Acid-based staining and water-based staining. With acid-based staining, colors are more muted. Water-based staining is a better option if you want a more vibrant appearance.
Another good reason to go for water-based staining is it’s more affordable. Per square foot, it can cost around a third of acid-based staining. Some staining services are more elaborate than others, with more complex patterns and stenciling for the more expensive jobs. Take note of your home’s appearance to determine the right course of action. Some designs are beautiful, but they might look out of place with a more modest home.
Tar and Chip
Tar and chip driveways are inexpensive and easy to keep up. They’re quite common, mixing gravel and asphalt for a pleasing and robust design. Some cracks are common, but they’re pretty easy to deal with, often remedying on their own.
Tar and chip driveways also prove durable during inclement weather. Their traction prevents slippage from heavy rain during hurricanes.
Some long-term maintenance and upgrades are necessary with tar and chip driveways. Typically, repairs once a decade will do. Although tar and chip driveways aren’t the gorgeous ones, they’re still very effective and can be made beautiful in their own way.
Pressure Washing
If your concrete driveway started shiny but lost its luster over time, consider pressure washing. This lets you wash off the dirt and other muck that’s diminished the surface’s appearance. Be careful with this, as pressure washing too aggressively can cause even more severe damage to your driveway.
Hire a pressure washing professional for your driveway. They can provide skill and control that gets the job done. It’s an affordable process that restores your driveway’s glow without requiring a major overhaul.
Engravings
Chances are your driveway looks fine. However, that might be part of the issue. Your driveway could simply look adequate, a solid block of color that does nothing for the imagination. If you’re trying to sell your home, every part of it needs to be accounted for. Engravings let you turn your driveway into a canvas, one that draws people in and makes your home look all the more attractive by comparison.
You don’t need to do anything too complicated either. Try a design adhering to your family heritage or specific interests. If you don’t want to carve into the material, you can create designs with stamps. Be mindful of not putting down too many designs, and place them in areas the eyes are naturally drawn to. Consider consulting with a professional for the best arrangement possible.
Make a Difference For Your Driveway
Once you’ve decided you want better for your driveway, it’s time to call the right people. This is too demanding of a job to handle by yourself, without the proper training. You need someone who understands exactly how to care for concrete driveways in Orlando and can give it the makeover it deserves.
With over 20 years of experience, we at Dreamcrete aim to build beneficial relationships in our community by serving you. Our customers are delighted with the results, as we do everything we can to make sure their homes look spectacular and meet their expectations.
If your driveway needs a makeover, please contact us for your FREE estimate today. We’d be thrilled to help you with any repairs or maintenance. Your home is truly where your heart is, and your driveway is an essential part of that.