Options for Decorating a Concrete Driveway
Posted on: 20 July 2021
Concrete creates robust and enduring driveways that can endure heavy vehicles and the elements. However, you may prefer something more attractive than a grey slab. If so, you could place decorative concrete, which you can stylise in numerous ways to harmonise with your kerb view. Here are some options to decorate concrete driveways.
Stamped Concrete
One possibility is textured stamped concrete. To create textures, contractors press rubber stamps onto the unset concrete, leaving grooves and indents in the paving when it dries. This decorative concrete can mimic other substances. For example, stamps are available that can emulate slate pavers, flagstones and timber planks. They can generate a wide variety of textures to blend with the environment.
Stencilled Concrete
Another way to produce decorative concrete is to use paper stencils to design patterns. During this treatment, contractors arrange stencils over hardened cement. The stencils reveal some sections while hiding other parts. Colours are then applied to the visible areas. Once the stencils are removed, they show patterns in the paving. You can create paver styles such as herringbone or ashlar designs on the driveway with this technique.
Exposed Aggregate
If you want a driveway full of colourful stones, you might prefer exposed aggregate. Contractors create this paving by mixing stones, pebbles, shells or coloured glass pieces into the cement. After it's poured and semi-dries, they wash away the top cement to uncover the previously hidden elements. You can control the aesthetic by blending different coloured aggregates. For example, mix deep blue and cream pebbles.
One option for a beautiful driveway is to contrast exposed aggregate paving with smooth concrete areas. For example, create a driveway border with stamped concrete that mimics square pavers. Then, lay exposed aggregate in the centre.
Colours
To effectively impersonate materials like timber and stone, decorative concrete driveways need to show nature's subdued and blended colours. For example, a slate paver might have swirls of blue, grey, tan and orange. Contractors can copy such variable tones by fusing techniques. For example, they can integrally mix pigments with the cement before it's poured. Also, dyes can be applied on top. Another option is stains that react with the concrete to create patterns and swirls.
Thus, establishing a decorative concrete driveway is an excellent way to create a more attractive kerb view. Because concrete is so versatile, you can pick textures and colours that match other areas of the property. For instance, repeat the shades within the trees and foliage or echo the hues on your home's external walls.
Share