5 Differences Between A Paving & Concrete Driveway
Paving and concrete are two of the most popular driveway materials, both being durable and easy to maintain. They are solid choices for a driveway, and both materials also come in a variety of colors and patterns. It can be hard to tell the difference between a paving and concrete driveway. But there are some key differences to look out for. A paving driveway is usually made from brick or concrete, with natural stone or cobblestones often used for a border. While the surface of a paving driveway may look smooth, it's actually made up of lots of tiny pieces that have been pressed into shape. The advantage of this style is that it gives you lots of flexibility, with lots of different shapes and sizes possible.
The big and most important question is, how do you know which material is best for your home? You can only make the right choice when you know how the two materials differ. The best and easiest way to tell the difference and decide which material is best for you is by asking a reputable concrete contractor. But still, you should also have the basic knowledge of telling the differences between the two materials. We look at five key differences between paving and concrete driveways, so you can make an informed decision.
1. Difference in how they are Laid
The main difference between the two materials is how they are laid. Paving stones are laid one at a time, while concrete is poured into the desired location. Paving stones, also called pavers, are individual pieces of material that are laid in place one by one and then compacted with a vibrating machine. Since each stone is placed individually, there is no need to form and pour the entire driveway at once. You can lay the driveway in sections as time allows and have it completed within a few days or weeks. Concrete driveways must be formed before they can be poured. This means that you will need to have all of your forms built before you can pour your driveway. The concrete must then be poured in one session and troweled smooth before it begins to set. It usually takes about four to seven days for a concrete driveway to fully cure and harden enough for you to use it.
2. Installation
Concrete driveways take longer to install than paving stones, as they must first be poured into a mold before they can dry. Paving stones are pre-made, so they only need to be installed on-site without any additional preparation. This makes paving stone driveways quicker to install than concrete driveways.
3. Composition
Concrete is made from Portland cement and sand mixed with water to form a thick paste. After it dries, the concrete can be sealed or painted. It is prone to cracking but can be reinforced with steel mesh or fiberglass fibers to increase its strength. Asphalt is made of petroleum-based products that are refined into a sticky, black substance. It is then mixed with crushed stone and gravel as a binder before being applied to the surface of the driveway. Repairing cracks in asphalt requires filling them with new material since asphalt cannot be patched like concrete.
4. Flexibility & Durability
Pavers are much stronger than concrete slabs and more flexible, so they're less likely to crack over time (especially if the ground shifts). Concrete expands and contracts with changing temperatures, which means it can crack over time, especially if it was poured improperly or the ground shifts underneath it (as it tends to do in areas with extreme fluctuations in temperature). Paver driveways hold up better under pressure from vehicles and heavy objects, such as delivery trucks.
5. Design
Concrete can be stamped or textured in a variety of ways and colors can also be added to it. Paving stones come in a variety of colors and textures as well but they also offer many more design options because of the way they can be arranged, including patterns, borders and other decorative elements.
Conclusion
Before buying a new driveway, it is important that you take the time to educate yourself on the benefits and drawbacks of each type of driveway. Looking at the differences between paving and concrete driveways will help you make an informed decision about which one is best for your home. Whichever type of driveway you chose, be sure to have them installed by a qualified concrete contractor.
5 Tips To Maintain Your Concrete Driveway
One of the biggest advantages of a concrete driveway over other types of driveways is its long-lastingness. A well-constructed can last for at least 20 years of regular usage. However, you must know that the maintenance of the concrete driveway can affect how long it will last.
As a result of this, you must learn the basic tips for maintaining a concrete driveway. To assist you, this post will show 5 proven tips to maintain your concrete driveway.
1. Keep it clean
Regardless of where you stay, a concrete driveway will be exposed to lots of dust, dirt, and debris. Besides, gas, oil, or grease leakages can stain the driveway. When these things accumulate, they will affect the appearance of your driveway. They may even lead to discoloration.
So, it is essential to always clean your driveway. With the aid of a power washer and some specially formulated chemicals, you can clean the driveway yourself. Otherwise, you should consider hiring contractors that offer concrete services.
2. Repair cracks once you detect them
When used over time, your concrete driveway is bound to have some cracks. However, you shouldn’t wait until things get out of hand before repairing the cracks. If left unrepaired, freeze-thaw may expand the cracks or vegetation may start growing in them.
So, you should repair cracks immediately after they are detected. You can get a crack repair product from any home improvement store around you. If there are many cracks in the driveway, you need concrete services from experienced concrete contractors. The contractors will assess the condition of your concrete driveway and offer a solution.
3. Use a sealer
Due to freeze-thaw, your concrete driveway may start deteriorating quickly. As a consequence of this, water or oil may get into the driveway, and this will only increase the deterioration.
To deal with this issue, you need to utilize acrylic sealers for sealing your driveway. Make sure you do this before the first winter. This should also be done from time to time.
4. Learn the proper way to remove ice
Due to extreme cold and snow, your concrete driveway can be filled up with ice. To de-ice the driveway as quickly as possible, you may want to pour some de-icing chemicals into it. Unluckily, these chemicals can lead to scaling and spalling which can make the driveway deteriorate faster.
Instead of utilizing chemicals, remove the ice with sand. Similarly, you can use a snowblower or plastic shovel to get rid of the ice in your concrete driveway. If you cannot do this, let professionals offer you reliable concrete services to de-ice.
5. Don’t overload your driveway
The last maintenance tip for your driveway is that you should never overload it. Generally, every concrete driveway has a load-carrying capacity. If your driveway is dealing with loads than its loading-carrying capacity, it will soon collapse. So, don’t let buses, RVs, and heavy equipment use your residential driveway with a thickness of 4-5 inches.
If you can follow these important tips, you can rest assured that your concrete driveway will last for a long period.
Why Are Window Coverings Important Anyhow?
Do you know the functions of window coverings you have in your house? Have you thought about the importance of window coverings or window treatments? Why are window coverings important and why should you invest in them? If you are asking any of these questions, read this article to the end. Although you may leave your windows without any window coverings, knowing their import, however, can make you change your mind.
1. Enhanced Privacy
The room will look somehow exposed without window coverings. Window coverings like shutters, shades, window blinds, and drapes increase yot privacy in the home. It may not seem a big deal if you are living alone or you have few neighbours. Living in the city is different; you need to protect your privacy due to the high population density. You cannot stop people from looking into your home from a distance.
However, you can protect your privacy by using window coverings to block out outsiders from seeing what is going on inside the home. Whether you are in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom, you want your privacy. Window coverings let you have your privacy.
2. Security and Safety
Another reason why window coverings are important is that they improve the security and safety of the house. Window coverings are one of the components of your home security program. Whether you install motion detection sensors or a security alarm, window coverings can improve your home security and your safety.
When you are not around or when going to bed at night, you can close your window coverings to prevent intruders from conducting surveillance by staring into your home through the windows. Window coverings will discourage potential burglars from monitoring your home successfully.
3. Light Control
Another importance of window coverings is that they help to regulate the amount of light entering the home. Although some window coverings give you more control over the light entering the home, they all help to regulate natural light entering your home.
Some days, there may be excessive sun rays with high intensity coming to the home. You can close the window coverings partially or completely to the amount of light you want in the home.
4. Protection Against UV Rays
Window coverings can limit damaging UV rays into your home. Your carpet, sofas and lots more can become faded within a short time if you do not install window coverings to limit or reduce the number of UV rays getting into the home's interior. As a result, window coverings are important to protect your home and interior decors against UV rays.
Takeaway
The points above are some of the reasons why window coverings are important in the house. However, choose the right window coverings or treatment that will give you the control and protection you need.
How Can You Tell If Your Windows Need Replacing?
From practical function to aesthetics, windows are the perfect finishing to any home. However, when there are damages to your windows, it can affect the quality of life of all occupants. To avoid spending more than necessary, you have to look out for any signs of damage in your windows. So, how do you know that your windows need replacing?
1. Loose Caulk
During window installation, caulk or sealant is used to secure the frame. However, over time, the caulk may crack or weaken -and in extreme cases, completely fade. When this happens, it is a telling sign to replace the window because it could lead to the glass shattering or air leak, which may result in higher costs of heating. Insects and pests may also find a path to infest your home through the loosened caulk.
2. Humidity
Windows are supposed to be weather resistant and temperature regulatory, so moisture on the outside of the window should not be a cause for alarm. However, if you see moisture on the inside of the window, especially for windows that are in the living room -or areas where water on the walls is not natural-, it may be a cause for alarm. It could either mean that the window cannot conduct temperature appropriately or it has a crack that you haven’t spotted. In either case, it is enough reason to get window replacement and avoid water damage.
3. Cracks
Cracks in the glass of a window are the ultimate signal of damage and the loudest alarms for replacement. Weather intensity, forceful impact, and years of use are all reasons for cracks to appear on your windows. If you notice a crack in a window, get a window replacement immediately. Waiting to see how the damage progresses might result in a more expensive and frustrating repair process.
4. Deteriorating Frame Material
The window frame is an essential part to the window’s function and any damage or wear and tear to the frame can be risky for the window. If you notice that the window frame material is weakening or has cracks/wet spots, it could be an indication of damage to the window. It is also a sign that your window has been around long enough and should be replaced.
5. Age
If your windows have been installed for a long period, nearing the end of their lifespan, it may be best to get a window replacement. That way, you get to avoid damages to the material, glass, or your house due to wear and tear of the window.
Window damage can lead to other damages that are frustrating and expensive, especially when you know it could have been prevented by getting window replacement. Look out for these signs and be sure to get a window replacement as soon as you spot any damage.
