Concrete As Your Next Patio or Driveway

by Kevin Smith Author

Concrete has become a building material increasingly found not only in commercial buildings but in a home setting as well. Driveways, patios, and walkways are not surprising, and floors for garages are some of the usual places. But even kitchen countertops are now made of concrete. If you are looking for concrete contractors in Reno, NV, there are several considerations to keep in mind, which we will describe here in for you.

Before Starting

If you wish to install patios, walkways, or driveways, there are many things to keep in mind. Among things that potentially damage your project are:

Tree roots - few living things are stronger, more tenacious, and disruptive to solid, flat structures than tree roots. As attractive as your long, tree-lined, meandering driveway is, have a long conversation with your contractor before launching a project.
Freezing and thawing - this is more about reminding you that as strong and solid as concrete is, cracks in it, especially if they show up in fall and winter, can cause more damage when water finds its way into them and there is a hard freeze. Regular maintenance of outdoor installations needs to be on your agenda.
Keep harsh chemicals off the surface - in your household, you protest, you don't use harsh or damaging chemicals. Okay, but how about bleach, rock salt, or ice melt? These are not things you would consider dangerous if handled properly, but they can affect concrete.

Enjoy the Results

There is much more to enjoy about a concrete driveway or patio than there is to worry about. It's strong and rugged. It's also something that is not simply drab and gray. It can be colored, smooth, polished, stamped, or naturally surfaced, depending on the application and your taste. Concrete can be applied vertically as well as horizontally, so your patio can have a low wall on a side to add a decorative element, or a practical one, like a place for seating.

And did we mention that concrete is a preferred material for swimming pool construction? So as you are enhancing the beauty and practicality of your driveways and patios, you can think about adding that backyard pool you have always wanted.

Concrete is a versatile material and applying it to your outdoor projects will add to the value of your home, provided you engage concrete contractors in Reno, NV, with the right skills and capabilities.