Homebuyers prefer concrete driveways by a hefty two-to-one margin, according to
a recent National Family Opinion study of prospective house-hunters. It’s no secret as to why. Asphalt sentences homeowners to yearly surface sealing and a lifetime of filling cracksand potholes. But low maintenance is only part of the concrete advantage. It’s also an aesthetic upgrade, with options ranging from the clean, traditional look to elaborate custom pattern-stamping.
Many people have been led to believe that in severe freeze/thaw climates, major cracks in concrete are inevitable and pop-outs, scaling and spalling should be expected. That’s simply not the case. When building in freeze-thaw climates there are two secrets: specifying the right mix for the climate, and skilled installation. Choosing contractors carefully – and asking to see examples of their past work – pays off significantly.