Concrete Archives - Resolution Concrete

Benefits of a concrete driveway in Calgary

If your current driveway begins to show signs of degradation, such as explicit cracks and uneven levelling, repair and a replacement are necessary to maintain your home’s exterior and protect your vehicle’s undercarriage. To enhance your home’s curb appeal and install a driveway material that will last for many years, concrete will do the job that compels most homeowners to install it onto their driveway. A concrete driveway in Calgary is always beneficial to homeowners for many reasons, and its long-standing appeal and reputation will be proved upon installation without very little convincing.

Find out more about the five main benefits of having a concrete driveway and how its most well-known traits will work to improve any property.

Durable

When you decide to install concrete onto your property, you’ll immediately notice how inexpensive it is, though it still can be more costly than asphalt. Because of its durability, concrete will continue to be cost-efficient as you will spend less money on resurfacing and repairing it throughout its lifespan. While asphalt is prone to cracking due to its vulnerability to moisture and UV rays, concrete is resistant to such damages and can sustain. Depending on how well the concrete is installed and if other materials are installed to reinforce it, concrete can last upwards of 30 years.

Low-maintenance

While having a concrete driveway doesn’t mean you’re free from maintaining it, very little maintenance is involved. You must clean it when it begins to visibly collect debris, such as leaves and dust, with a hose and bristled brush if the debris buildup is substantial. It is advised to install a concrete sealer for an additional barrier, so your concrete can be further protected from water and other external damages. Before the harsh weather conditions associated with autumn and winter, you should ensure that your concrete has been sealed.

Example of a concrete driveway

Load-bearing capacity

Concrete is known to hold weight better than asphalt due to the fact that it consists of materials that aren’t flexible. Because of its ability to withstand a high amount of weight, you will never need to worry about the weight of any vehicle damaging your concrete driveway in Calgary. While sizeable trucks and RVs can inevitably crack and deform asphalt driveways in various ways, your concrete driveway can take this type of weight.

Reaction to heat and light

Asphalt quickly absorbs heat and light, causing an incredibly hot and potentially hazardous driveway when the temperatures begin to rise. Concrete, on the other hand, absorbs less heat due to its lighter colour and will feel much cooler to the touch than asphalt. Concrete can also reflect light and reduce any need for lighting in its area, effectively minimizing your home energy consumption.

Appearance and customization

Concrete will look refined and polished on any piece of property and is one of the main reasons why it resonates with homeowners. Customizing your concrete driveway is also an option when you select this material for installation, and you can choose from different colours, designs and textures that will match your home’s overall aesthetic. Concrete will add to your home’s curb appeal with any finish you may choose.

Resolution Concrete wants to help solve all of your concrete-related problems. We proudly serve the community of Calgary with our prompt services that include concrete installation, concrete repair, and complete concrete replacement. We want to make concrete installation a transparent and easy process for you as we offer free consultation and emergency services when you most need them. Let Resolution Concrete provide you with the best concrete solutions today! For more information, visit our website at https://www.resolutionconcrete.ca/, or call us for a free quote at 587-224-0476!

What is exposed aggregate concrete in Calgary?

A new driveway installation usually means you can choose between a variety of materials and weigh out their advantages and disadvantages. A popular concrete material raising the ranks amongst homeowners is exposed aggregate concrete. Exposed aggregate concrete in Calgary can require little maintenance and can be customized to emulate the homeowner’s aesthetic, propping the material up as a favourable option in relation to driveway installation. But if you’re not privy to information concerning concrete materials, you might be wondering what aggregate concrete is and how it differs from other driveway materials and why it has burgeoned as such a popular fixture among homeowners.

Find out all the answers you’re looking for about aggregate concrete and how it can benefit your driveway!

What is aggregate concrete?

Aggregate concrete is acquired by removing the top layer of a cement paste to unearth a more textured surface underneath, consisting of a more coarse aggregate made from sand or stones. The layer underneath that exposes the aggregate is often much more decorative than the mundane grey hue of regular concrete. Because of its durability and sleek appearance, aggregate has attained inevitable marketability with homeowners and commercial property owners.

Aggregate concrete in a light, pastel colour

Where aggregate concrete is used

Exposed aggregate is used in various places on both commercial and residential properties. Aggregate is skid resistance and can withstand large amounts of foot and vehicle traffic without enduring significant damage, making it perfect for sidewalks, patios, plazas, playgrounds, and driveways. More so, aggregate concrete can be used vertically as retaining walls and sound barriers on any property, with such installations that can be purchased at a reasonable cost.

Customization

Customizing and selecting decorative options when acquiring aggregate concrete has made it a compelling draw. With various concrete design options available at any property owner’s disposal when it comes to the use of aggregate, such as colour, shape, method of exposure, and so much more, customization is a given upon acquiring aggregate. Some popular design options with aggregate can include coloured stone, limestone, quartz, and basalts. Many materials can be easily seeded into the surface of the concrete, such as seashells and beach glass, which can further modify its appearance.

Benefits and drawbacks

The are many benefits that are associated with aggregate concrete that contribute to its frequent usage on a variety of properties and its enduring prevalence. Aggregate concrete requires little maintenance once installed, other than regular sealing and cleaning, and can last up to 30 years, even when exposed to the natural elements and constant heavy foot traffic. This type of concrete can also be easily installed without exhaustive efforts if you have prior experience in concrete installation.

And while these benefits of exposed aggregate concrete in Calgary are surely transfixing, aggregate concrete has some drawbacks, such as requiring a sealing installation that will cost you money. You’ll have to go out of your way to clean your concrete from time to time. Of course, all of this is worth the effort to maintain your aggregate concrete for years to come.

Category: Concrete