If you’re building a new home or you want to renovate your home, a driveway is a great part of your abode that you can improve and style according to your preferred aesthetic and style. Plus, it makes your exterior more attractive to look at.
If you’re brainstorming on how you can embellish your concrete driveway, look no further than using decorative concrete to flatter your home.
Decorative concrete is simply a level-up on plain grey concrete. It has different designs that have various colours, patterns, and finishes that embellish the concrete which help add an extra oomph to the aesthetic look of a residence or a commercial space. Not only that, some decorative concrete designs have extra features that make them safe and secure for anyone to use; for example, some have a non-slip texture that is ideal for use around pools or walkways.
If you want to lay a new driveway and upgrade the old one, here are some brilliant ideas that you can do without breaking the bank:
Polished Concrete
This concrete finish is definitely one of the most sophisticated looks you can do to your driveway. The appealing gleam of the driveway really gives it an elegant look.
Aside from aesthetic value, polished concrete is very durable against flaking or chipping since it is resistant to extreme heat and UV rays light from the sun which can make normal concrete look drab over time.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
This is the opposite of a polished driveway since the concrete finish here has a rugged and slightly rough texture. This texture makes the concrete skid-and-slip-resistant which is great to avoid falling accidents even when the surface is wet or greasy. The aggregate materials used in this concrete finish are usually stone chippings and small pebbles and they are exposed to the surface. They are low maintenance as well.
Aside from these features, it is also pretty to look at. A lot of people think the same too since this concrete type is getting pretty common among driveways.
Slatted Concrete
A slatted concrete paver has several gaps and holes in between its surface. In addition to giving your driveway a distinctive look, the slatted concrete helps drain the water on your driveway into the ground below. This effectively helps in stormwater management and prevents the buildup of moss on the concrete surface.
On top of that, if you use a neutral colour tone on the slatted concrete and complement it with lush grass on either side of the driveway, you can give it a highly rustic vibe. Coupled with the water drainage aspect, this is one of the most eco-friendly driveway options to consider.
Pattern-Imprinted
Pattern-imprinted concrete is classified as decorative concrete. The awesome thing about this type of concrete is it is long-lasting because it has a strong surface that holds lots of heavyweight materials while it only requires little maintenance, and you can choose a variety of designs and colours with it.
Stencil Concrete
This design is great for both existing and newly made concrete driveways. You can stencil the concrete according to the design you want to put. You can create cool-looking geometrical shapes and patterns, brick patterns, or emblems according to your heart’s desire.
Stained Concrete
If you want your driveway to liven up, a pop of colour will do that trick. An acid-stain concrete can achieve this. This type of concrete uses a diluted hydrochloric acid which reacts to the minerals in the concrete. This reaction will produce a variety of colours and unique patterns. It could make your regular old boring grey concrete look like a natural stone, such as granite or marble (the effect will depend on how you mixed the acid and concrete together).
Coloured Concrete
Another way to add colour to your dull driveway is coloured concrete. The beauty of this type of concrete is that you can match it to your home and the surrounding landscape or you just simply want to add an intriguing effect to your driveway. Colour can be either added to the concrete during the mixing stage using pigmented powder dyes or dusting after the concrete is installed in the driveway. It can also be combined with stamping for a more embellished look.
Stamped Brick Pattern
If you like quirky brick patterns, you can do so with concrete as well. You’ll need at least two colours of concrete stain or dye and two types of concrete stamps to create this look. Use your creativity and go crazy about how you create this design. Experiment with different stamp styles and colour combinations until you find the one that you liked. If you like a more sophisticated look, just make sure that the colours you use complement each other.
Concrete With Grass Lines
Another fun and economical idea for a decorative driveway is incorporating grass in between the concrete designs. Lay down irregularly shaped concrete blocks on the driveway. Make sure they are spaces in between these blocks since this is where you will be placing the grass.
If you’re based in Victoria and looking for concrete suppliers, we here at VIC MIX can cater to your needs. Visit our Contact Us page for inquiries or if you want to get a quote for a certain type of concrete mix you want to acquire or if you need to get a hold of a contractor. If you want to know more about decorative concrete produce, peruse our brochure for details. You can also drop by our showrooms to see our designs personally and talk with our staff to address your concerns. We are more than happy to accommodate you so don’t hesitate to reach out!