Two factors to consider before installing a concrete driveway

Installing a concrete driveway on your property requires a significant investment of both time and money. Given this, it's important to ensure that you take all of the important factors that might affect the end result into consideration before your contractor starts the building work. Read on to find out more.

Climate

It's important to take the climate of the region in which you live into consideration before you initiate the installation of your driveway. If for example, you live in an area which is prone to storms and bouts of heavy rain, you will need to ensure that your new driveway has adequate drainage, to prevent flooding from damaging and destabilising its sub-base.

There are a few ways to do this. You can, for instance, ask your concrete contractor to build the driveway on a slope, which will direct any rainwater that falls onto it towards the nearest road drain. Alternatively (or in addition to this), you can ask them to install storm water pits underneath or right next to the driveway.

These 'pits' have a large holding capacity and can collect and safely disperse a large quantity of run-off into the drain system they are connected to. In doing so, they can prevent this run-off from damaging your driveway or flooding your garage or house. Whilst the cost of purchasing and fitting a storm water pit will, of course, increase the overall amount you spend on your project, it could save you a substantial sum of money in the long run, by preventing water damage to your property.

Aesthetics

Many homeowners don't give a great deal of thought to the design of their new driveways. However, it's worth taking some time to choose an attractive and appropriate style of driveway, as this could have a significant impact on your property's overall appearance which, in turn, could affect its value. 

Fortunately, concrete is a very versatile material, which can be fashioned into a wide variety of shapes. As such, it should be relatively easy for your contractor to build a driveway which blends in nicely with your property's existing aesthetic.

For instance, if your home is an older property with a number of elegant historical features, you might want to opt for an engraved or stamped concrete driveway, which would be in keeping with the refined look of the rest of your property. Conversely, if you own a quaint country cottage, it might be better to choose a driveway made from exposed aggregate, as this has a slightly rustic look to it which would mimic the rustic look of your house.