So, what is this big fascination with aggregate concrete? It may seem silly to consider an alternative to plain concrete for something as mundane as driveways and sidewalks. Why spend so much money and effort sprucing up something that’s only there to be stepped on?
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Aggregate concrete doesn’t require that much money or effort. It’s really just cement and gravel.
Even so, it really does improve the curb appeal of your home. Think of your driveway/walkways as the “shoes” of your house.
Your shoes are only there to walk around on the dirty ground – and they’re rarely even noticed.
But what if you wore muddy, tattered tennis shoes with your nicest business suit? People would certainly notice that. In the same way, a nice driveway complements and completes (or clashes with and ruins) the curb appeal of your home.
And those are just a few of the many benefits of aggregate concrete. Read on to learn more.
Let’s face it. Any finished surface looks better than a drab slab of plain grey concrete.
Exposing the aggregate and polishing up your concrete driveway/walkways gives your home a lot more curb appeal and flair. It also makes your home one of the more unique options on your block. Both of these benefits add value to your home when you’re eventually looking to sell.
Exposed aggregate is not the only option for your aggregate walkway or driveway. You can also overlay several different types of aggregate finish over your concrete to achieve the perfect look.
This allows you to customize the color, texture, and boldness of any outdoor floor. For example, besides sprucing up your driveway, consider an aggregate patio as well.
This versatility we’re talking about also means that you’ll find a certain aggregate driveway finish that perfectly compliments your exterior color scheme. In fact, that’s sort of the point.
You don’t really want a driveway that’s so flashy it distracts from the rest of your home’s appearance. On the contrary, a complementary aggregate driveway will make your house stand out (especially to prospective buyers).
Concrete is one of the most durable outdoor flooring materials there is. And aggregate flooring is even more resilient.
This is partly because aggregate concrete has a lower water-to-concrete ratio. That makes it sturdier and less susceptible to damage. It will withstand foot-traffic, weather, and the weight of several vehicles much better than standard concrete.
Aggregate concrete is also extremely slip-resistant. Sometimes, contractors will even treat the aggregate concrete with a slip-resistant finish.
Regardless, the very nature of aggregate concrete’s textured surface tends to grip anything that walks or drives over it. Normal concrete, on the other hand, has more of a smooth surface.
It’s a lot like the difference between normal paper and sandpaper. Like sandpaper, aggregate concrete grips anything that rubs across the surface.
It’s even superior to other textured concrete, like brushed concrete, in terms of traction. The texture added to the surface of cement can wear down over time, like the enamel on your teeth.
But the texture of aggregate concrete comes from the gravel that’s securely embedded in the surface. The texture will not wear down over time and it’s highly unlikely that the embedded stones will fall out.
You have a lot of choices concerning the material you choose for your driveway and other outdoor flooring. Concrete is already one of the easiest to install. Installing aggregate concrete is almost just as easy.
If you already have a concrete driveway, it can be ground down to expose the aggregate underneath. The surface should then be sealed to protect the exposed aggregate driveway.
Alternatively, you can lay aggregate concrete just as you would with normal concrete. Or you overlay an aggregate finish on top of existing concrete.
Because it’s easy to install, it’s also not very expensive to install. Plus, you won’t have to pay much for the materials, either. Aggregate concrete is made from simple concrete and gravel and isn’t difficult to produce.
Since aggregate concrete is so durable, you won’t have to worry about repairs or replacement often. In fact, you shouldn’t have any wear or damage to repair for at least 10 years.
This is another way that aggregate concrete is a budget-friendly option: low repair costs. Nor will you have to perform a lot of tedious maintenance tasks to protect it.
It is, however, a good idea to reseal your outdoor aggregate concrete about every 2 years. This doesn’t just protect against cracking and scuffing. It also protects against stains from things like motor oil or other chemical spills.
After that, the only maintenance you’ll have to do is to sweep it and/or hose it down once in a while. If stains do occur, you should be able to scrub them away with a mild detergent and water.
In conclusion, here’s a simple question. Do you want a really easy and cheap way to improve the curb appeal and, therefore, the value of your home? If so, consider aggregate concrete for all of your driveways, patios, and walkways.
Also, if you still aren’t decided yet, we can help. Contact us here so we can answer your questions, give you a quote, and get started on your next home improvement project.
At Concrete Craft Serving Nashville, we want to reassure you that the wellbeing and safety of our customers is always our top priority.
