The Various Ways to Beautify Your Plain-Looking Concrete Driveway

Concrete is a durable, readily available, easy to install, affordable and low-maintenance paving material. These qualities make it ideal for driveway construction. However, standard concrete can be quite dull-looking, so it might not be the right choice for homeowners looking to install a driveway that looks nice and increases the beauty of their outdoor environment.

Fortunately, it's possible to transform the look of ordinary concrete post-installation without spending a fortune. Here's a look at some ways to increase the beauty of otherwise plain-looking concrete.

Painting

Painting is perhaps the easiest and cheapest way to transform the look of a concrete driveway. The material easily takes on all forms of paint and colour. The choice of paint depends on your imagination. For example, you can opt to contrast or match the look and design of your landscape or main house. 

While painting your concrete driveway may seem like a simple task, consider hiring a concrete contractor for best results. A professional will use specialised equipment and choose the best paints for your job, thus giving your driveway the visually stunning look you desire.

Stencils

Stencilling involves the use of pre-fabricated shapes to create patterns on the concrete driveway surface. You can even combine patterns to create your own unique result – the possibilities are endless. The best thing about stencilling is that it can be performed on new and existing driveways. You can either use the stencil to inscribe shapes on the concrete or use colour for different patterns.

Pebbled Concrete

Also known as pebblecrete, pebbled concrete, which has been around for ages, involves mixing aggregate with the concrete, followed by grinding for a smooth surface. You can either opt for a single colour for the whole driveway or combine the gravel with other techniques for a unique drive up to your home.

Staining

Concrete is mildly reactive because of its lime content. When used correctly, a reactive concrete stain can react with the minerals in the concrete to create the look and feel of natural stone. A professional can help you choose the right solution, application technique and equipment for the job.

Stamping

Stamping, though similar to stencilling, adds depth and texture to the concrete surface. The resulting look depends on your preference – stamping can be done to resemble slate, bricks, tiles and even wood. The process is intricate and best left to professional concrete contractors.

The above methods will turn your ordinary concrete driveway into a work of art and a stunning entry to your home. However, do note that concrete is unforgiving – it sets fast and is hard to tear off. For these reasons, the above techniques are best left to a professional concrete contractor. Reach out to a paving contractor to learn more.